Get the Medication Early to Reduce Hospitalization Risks
For individuals battling COVID-19, antiviral pills offer a ray of hope in reducing the chances of hospitalization. However, timing is crucial. To benefit from these pills, one must act swiftly within the first five days of symptom onset. The pills are recommended for those with mild or moderate COVID-19, especially individuals at higher risk of severe illness due to age or underlying health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes.
How to Obtain the Antiviral Pills in the U.S.
There are several ways to access antiviral pills in the U.S.:
- Consult Your Healthcare Provider: Take an at-home COVID-19 test and contact your healthcare provider for a prescription. Once prescribed, you can pick up the medication at your regular pharmacy.
- Visit a Test-to-Treat Site: Visit a test-to-treat site where pharmacists can conduct a COVID-19 test, write a prescription, and provide the pills in one visit. Locate a test-to-treat site at treatments.hhs.gov.
- NIH’s Home Test to Treat Program: Utilize the National Institutes of Health’s Home Test to Treat program for a telehealth appointment and have the medications shipped to you if you meet the criteria. Visit www.test2treat.org for more details.
Financial Assistance for Antiviral Pills
Paxlovid is a commonly prescribed antiviral pill for COVID-19, with a list price of approximately $1,400. However, most individuals will not need to pay this full amount. The drug is available for free until the end of 2024 for individuals on federal insurance programs like Medicaid and Medicare, as well as for uninsured individuals. To access the discount, uninsured individuals and those with high out-of-pocket costs on commercial insurance can enroll in Pfizer’s patient assistance program or a separate co-pay assistance program. Visit paxlovid.iassist.com for further information.
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