COVID-19 Testing Your Way at Rite Aid

Most health insurance plans, including Medicare Part B, will cover the cost of at-home antigen COVID-19 tests. Please check with your health insurance provider for details.

It can be confusing to know whether the symptoms you’re experiencing are related to COVID-19. Find out more information here. 

Through our partnership with Quest Diagnostics, schedule to pick up an at-home COVID-19 PCR test or set up a supervised test at your local Rite Aid pharmacy.

The safety of our associates, customers and communities is our number one priority. During this unprecedented crisis, we are taking many extra precautions to continue to serve our customers during a time when they need our help the most. We follow local guidance regarding protective measures.

Our stores, pharmacies and distribution centers are all following CDC guidance to help stop the spread of the virus.

Our stores and distribution centers are using cleaning kits that include hand sanitizers, wipes, masks and gloves.  We are cleaning more frequently and constantly disinfecting high-traffic surfaces throughout these locations. We follow strict cleaning procedures per CDC guidance when an associate has tested positive for COVID-19 or is presumed to have a case of COVID-19, including closing the store for a comprehensive sanitizing regimen, when necessary.

We also offer services such as delivery, drive thru (at select locations), 90 day script refills and much more. 

We have signs and tape markers encouraging you to keep six feet of distance from others. We are installing Plexiglass shields at the registers and pharmacy windows.

All stores are currently offering "Pay ‘n Go” pre-pay services for prescriptions. Patients who are signed up for Prescription Notifications at eligible stores will have an option to pre-pay for their pharmacy order when they receive their “Your Prescription is Ready” text or email with a link to pay.

We are also encouraging the use of contactless payments like Apple Pay, Android Pay and contactless cards, which allow you to hold your card near the pin pad to be read wirelessly. Contact your bank for more information on contactless credit cards.

A supply of finger covers are available at each register, and customers are encouraged to use one if they need to touch our pin pad payment units. 

Testing is painless and self administered.

Turnaround time for PCR test results depends on lab volume and other factors. Check with Quest Diagnostics for details on current results delivery.

Most at-home antigen tests provide results within 15-30 minutes.

A PCR test detects RNA (genetic material) specific to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It can identify the virus within days of infection, even in asymptomatic individuals. PCR tests can be performed in a clinic, a hospital, or even in your car, but they are analyzed in a lab, so results take longer (usually 2-3 days). When demand is high, results can take a week or longer. This test is more sensitive and more likely to provide accurate results; however, PCR tests can also detect previous infection in individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 recently.

An antigen test detects protein fragments specific to SARS-CoV-2. This test can be performed at home or at work. Results are available quickly, sometimes in as little as 15 minutes. These tests are less sensitive with a higher likelihood of false negatives, but they are useful for identifying active infections in individuals likely to transmit the virus.

Each person covered by a health insurance plan is eligible to receive no-cost tests, including dependents of the insured person (except children under 2). Limited state Medicaid customers in California, New Hampshire, and Virginia may be eligible to receive no-cost test kits. As of April 2022, customers covered by Medicare Part B are now eligible for this program.

Most customers can receive a maximum of 8 no-cost antigen tests per insured person age 2+, per month. Other at-home antigen tests may be covered by insurance as a reimbursable expense if you save your receipt. Reach out to your health insurance for details.

Under most insurance plans, each person covered can receive up to 8 no-cost antigen tests per month.