CDC program looks to increase access to COVID-19 testing

February 7, 2023

CDC program looks to increase access to COVID-19 testing

MOBILE, Ala. — The Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program provides access to COVID-19 testing by focusing on communities at greater risk of being impacted by the pandemic, people without health insurance, and surge testing in state and local jurisdictions. The program is offered through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The ICATT program prioritizes testing resources for people who are experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. The tests are billed to third-party payers, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurers.

“The No-Cost COVID-19 testing locator helps you find COVID-19 testing locations and contact information for the providers in our community,” said Dr. Kevin Philip Michaels, Health Officer for Mobile County.

Individuals may search for a location that offers no-cost COVID-19 testing and see a list of frequently asked questions at this link — https://www.cdc.gov/icatt.

Vaccinations and rapid testing are available at the Mobile County Health Department’s Festival Centre location (3725 Airport Boulevard, Suite 101-A, in Mobile) and the Southwest Public Health Center (5580 Inn Road in Tillman’s Corner). These in-clinic services from the COVID-19 Response Team are available on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are no out-of-pocket costs.

While no appointment is required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, individual appointments must be made for rapid testing online at this link — https://appointments.mchd.org.