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Earlier this month, the Biden administration announced that it would soon need private health insurance. reimbursement to consumers for the cost of home coronavirus tests. This was a step towards improving access to tests that are more expensive in the United States than in Europe and are often distributed for little or no charge.

But the Biden plan has yet to go into effect, and the cost of repeated rapid testing, which starts at $7 per test, could quickly add up.

“It’s still too expensive for a typical American household to quickly test everyone in the house every week,” said Zoe McLaren, a health policy expert at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy in Baltimore County.

With the holidays fast approaching, are there ways to reduce the financial burden of testing? There is, but it can take both legwork and luck, experts said.

Wait, so I won’t be getting a refund for quicktests yet?

Not yet. Management said it plans to publish refund rules by January 15th, and the plan will take effect sometime later.

Management has already said that the plan will not provide retroactive refunds for tests already purchased, meaning that any tests you purchase for the holidays will not be covered.

“This reimbursement plan isn’t really going to help us during holidays when the risk of contagion is clearly highest,” Ms McLaren said.

Still, as the final rules have yet to be announced, there’s “absolutely no harm” in keeping receipts for any tests you buy in the coming months, just in case, said Sabrina Corlette, co-director of the Center. On Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy. But you shouldn’t count on getting reimbursed, he said.

The refund process and requirements are still unclear; Experts said people should expect more information from the Biden administration and insurers in January.

So am I completely unlucky for the holidays?

Although your ability to find free tests depends on where you live and work and how much time and effort you’re willing to put into it, it’s not mandatory.

For example, last week Vermont issued its own mandate It requires insurance companies to cover the cost of home testing. The rule is retroactive and will apply to all tests purchased on or after December 1st. Other states may eventually issue similar rules—another reason to keep your receipts.

In addition, some employers offer free onsite testing for employees, provide free quick tests to take home, or provide health plans that cover the cost of testing at home.

“Many of our members are already proactively covering home testing,” said Elizabeth Mitchell, CEO of the Buyers Business Group Healthcare Group, a coalition of large companies that provide healthcare benefits to their employees.

He recommended that people reach out to their own benefits or human resources department to find out what testing resources they are offering.

Are there any other options?

The Biden administration also announced that it will distribute 50 million free tests to community-based health institutions, as the insurance reimbursement plan is only available for privately insured.

Some states also distribute free tests for residents, although specific plans vary. For example, Massachusetts on Monday announced that it will distribute two million rapid tests to residents of 102 towns with high poverty rates. Colorado residents can order tests online. Maryland distributes tests through its local health departments, while Ohio distribute them in libraries.

However, availability may be limited and determining how to obtain tests may be difficult.

“This highlights the challenge,” said Lindsey Dawson, deputy director of the Kaiser Family Foundation, who is working on the availability of rapid testing. “An individual would really have to do some legwork to assess where they are.”

Ms. Dawson suggested that people contact their local health department and ask if and where free tests are available.

including some school districts Chicago and San Diegoare reportedly handing out free test kits for students to use before returning from winter break.

What happened to all those free test sites?

Many of the mass testing sites have been converted to vaccine sites or have been closed completely. But many places still have smaller public test sites. Tests on these sites and those ordered by a healthcare provider are usually free. “Insurance companies need to cover these and waive any cost sharing,” Ms Corlette said.

But keep in mind that doctor’s offices and public testing sites often run PCR tests that are performed in a laboratory and can take a day or more to process.

Some places have sites that promise quick results. New York City, for example, is running “Covid Express” test sites citywide, it promises to return PCR results in 24 hours or less. The health department says most residents get their results the same day. Tests are available by appointment only but are free to all New Yorkers.

Here again, your local health department will likely be your best resource – consider contacting them to ask if there are any free public testing sites that return results quickly.

Any other tips?

Start early and shop. Start looking for them as soon as possible, experts say, as the availability of tests, especially free tests, is likely to be limited.

If you need to purchase tests, you may need to visit multiple stores or sites to find them, especially if you’re looking for a specific test or price point.

“What you find today may not be tomorrow or even this afternoon,” Ms. Dawson said, noting that the window for ordering a test before the holidays is also closing. “So people might want to consider taking action right away.”