- About COVID-19 Medications
- How to Find COVID-19 Medications
- Patient Assistance Programs
In individuals who are at high risk for severe disease, prescription COVID-19 treatments can prevent serious illness when started early. If you feel sick and are at high risk, act fast to test for COVID-19 and seek treatment options if you are eligible.
About COVID-19 Medications:
What? COVID-19 medications can stop the virus from multiplying in your body. Most medications are oral pills that can be taken at home. It is important to remember that COVID-19 medications are not a replacement for vaccines. The best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. Both COVID-19 vaccines and medications prevent serious illness from COVID-19.
Why? When started early after symptoms begin, COVID-19 medications can prevent serious illness in certain high risk individuals.
When? Act quickly to start COVID-19 medications while your illness is still mild. Most COVID-19 medications must be started within the first 5 days of symptoms.
Who? COVID-19 medications are recommended for people with factors that make them higher risk for serious COVID-19 illness. A doctor will help decide which medication, if any, is right for you.
Factors that increase risk of serious COVID-19 illness include:
- You are 50 years old or older –OR–
- You are unvaccinated or not up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations –OR–
- You have a health condition or other factors that increase risk. These include obesity, asthma, diabetes, lack of physical activity, smoking, mental health conditions such as depression, and more. Learn more about factors that increase the risk of serious illness from COVID-19.
See the CDC Special Clinical Considerations for additional considerations for specific people diagnosed with COVID-19. Cost? There may be a cost for the medications, but they should remain free or low-cost for most patients through insurance and/or patient assistance programs. Please refer below for more information. The medications are free for Medi-Cal members.
How? As soon as you feel sick, test for COVID-19. If you test positive and are in a high risk group, use the options below to ask for a prescription for COVID-19 medication.
What If I get COVID-19 rebound? COVID-19 rebound is a return of mild symptoms and a new positive test a few days after symptoms improve or you test negative. COVID-19 rebound has not yet been shown to cause serious illness. COVID-19 rebound can occur with COVID-19 whether you take medications or not. However, studies have shown that COVID-19 rebound may occur more frequently in individuals who have taken Paxlovid. Regardless of whether rebound occurs, COVID-19 medications lower the risk of serious illness, may help you test negative sooner, and may lower the risk of developing long COVID.
How to Find COVID-19 Medications:
Options for getting a prescription include:
- Contact your doctor, urgent care center, or insurance provider for an appointment. You can ask if video or phone appointments are possible.
- Call the California Department of Public Health at 916-558-1784.
- Find a Test to Treat site, where you can get tested, assessed by a healthcare provider, and receive treatment if eligible, all in one visit. Visit the Department of Health and Human Services Test to Treat Locator to find pharmacies, clinics, and other locations where you can pick-up your prescription.
If you don't have insurance or have trouble reaching a health care provider quickly, Sesame Care is a telehealth option that helps you talk with a health care provider about a prescription right away. Sesame Care continues to offer COVID-19 services at a low cost. - If your health care provider has questions on COVID-19 treatments, they can refer to CDPH's recommendations on treatment or CDC's Interim Clinical Considerations for COVID-19 Treatment in Outpatients.
Patient Assistance Programs:
Manufacturers are offering these programs for people who do not have health insurance, have commercial insurance which does not cover the cost of the medications, or have Medicare or another state/federal insurance program such as CHIP, Tricare, or VA. These programs can help eligible patients get the medications for free or at low-cost.
For Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir):
If you have been prescribed Paxlovid and do not have health insurance or have Medicare or another state/federal insurance program such as CHIP, Tricare, or VA, the following program is available:
If you have been prescribed Paxlovid and have commercial (private) insurance, the following programs are available: