![]() Though CVS does not charge symptomatic uninsured people for on-site COVID-19 tests, MinuteClinics charge upwards of $100 for in-person or telehealth appointments to examine patients and prescribe an antiviral, if needed. “The best tools that we have are not going to reach the people who most need them,” she said.Īlthough the cost of the pills is covered by the federal government, obtaining a prescription at the pharmacies that dominate the program can be expensive. ![]() Department of Health and Human Services’ reliance on partners that charge high prices for appointments, and the lack of clear information are stymieing the effort. She said the fragmented federal, state and local public health systems, the U.S. ![]() “All of our public health response relies on lowering the barrier to getting treatments to the right people,” said Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, chair of the department of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California-San Francisco. Before the pandemic, 28 percent of Americans didn’t have a regular source of medical care, with rates even higher for Black and Hispanic Americans. And the website of the largest participant, CVS, has significant technical issues that make booking an appointment difficult.Įven people who regularly see a doctor may be unable to get a prescription in time, and that’s where the program comes in. The federal government and many state and local health departments direct residents to an online national map where people can find test-to-treat sites and other pharmacies where they can fill prescriptions.īut large swaths of the country had no test-to-treat pharmacies or health centers listed as of April 14. The program allows people with COVID-19 symptoms to get tested, be prescribed antiviral pills and fill the prescription all in one visit.
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