Most information below is gathered from mass.gov and the CDC. Visit their websites for more information.

eligibility 

COVID-19 therapeutic treatments including monoclonal antibodies and antivirals can help lower the amount of virus in your body, protecting you from severe symptoms. They can help prevent hospitalization and reduce your chance for severe disease.

Free treatments are available for people who meet all of the following eligibility:

  1. are at increased risk of severe disease (has just one risk factor) and/or over the age of 65, and

  2. test positive for COVID-19 (on a at-home or PCR test), and 

  3. have any symptoms, even mild ones (such as runny nose or cough).

How to access treatments

Treatments are FREE and insurance is not required.  There are several ways you can access treatments:

  • Call your doctor right away to learn about your treatment options; OR
  • Request a free telehealth consultation, where MA residents can be evaluated directly for COVID-19 treatment, without contacting their health care provider; OR
  • Call (508) 213-1380 to speak with a Gothams representative. If you're eligible for COVID-19 treatment, they can schedule an infusion appointment for you at one of their 7 sites in Massachusetts (sites include Holyoke, Pittsfield, and Athol). Gothams COVID-19 Self-Referral Treatment Line is open Monday–Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

You may qualify for an in-home treatment program. Visit mass.gov/InHomeCovidTreatments to learn more about eligibility.

where to find treatments

Use the MA Therapeutics Locator Tool to search for specific treatments and the closest locations near you. You can also call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to get help in English, Spanish, and more than 150 other languages.

test to treat program

The Biden Administration launched a new nationwide Test to Treat initiative in March 2022 to give individuals an important way to quickly access free lifesaving treatment for COVID-19. Through this program, people are able to get tested and – if they are positive and treatments are appropriate for them – receive a prescription from a health care provider, and have their prescription filled all at one location. These “One-Stop Test to Treat” sites are available at hundreds of locations nationwide, including pharmacy-based clinics, federally-qualified health centers, and long-term care facilities.

types of Treatments

Preventative treatment:

A preventive medication, called Evusheld, is available for someone at higher risk and is used before they contract COVID-19. Evusheld is not for the treatment of COVID-19 symptoms. It is given to someone before they have been exposed to COVID-19.

Treatments for Infection:

There are five treatment options for someone who tests positive and has symptoms. These need to be administered within 5-7 days of becoming symptomatic.

There are 3 monoclonal antibody treatments that are given by an intravenous (IV) infusion or injection. Monoclonal antibody therapy helps your body fight the coronavirus:

  • Sotrovimab (must be administered within 7 days of your first COVID-19 symptom)
  • Remdesivir (must be given within 7 days of your first COVID-19 symptom and requires IV infusion over 3 consecutive days)
    • **Remdesivir is the only treatment authorized by the FDA for people under 12 years old. Children are eligible if they are: 28 days or older, weigh at least 7 pounds, test positive for COVID, and are at high risk of severe disease are eligible)
  • Bebtelovimab (must be administered within 7 days of your first COVID-19 symptom)

There are 2 oral antiviral pills available: 

  • Paxlovid (must be taken within 5 days of your first COVID-19 symptom, must be 12 years or older and weigh at least 88 pounds) 
  • Molnupiravir (must be taken within 5 days of your first COVID-19 symptom, must be 18 years or older)

Frequently Asked Questions

If COVID-19 is treatable, do I still need to get vaccinated? Yes. Preventing COVID-19 is more effective than treating it. Vaccines protect people from getting infected or from becoming severely ill, and masks and social distancing help keep the virus from spreading. 

Are treatments safe and effective? Information from Baystate Health states:

  • Paxlovid: Has Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) issued by the FDA in December 2021. It has excellent efficacy and safety data. Learn more.
  • Remdesivir: Is FDA approved. It was originally authorized by the FDA to treat hospitalized patients with COVID pneumonia, is now used off-label for treating outpatients. Learn more.
  • Molnupiravir: Has Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) issued by the FDA. An oral antiviral that has marginal efficacy data and safety concerns regarding reproductive toxicity. Learn more.

Find some other FAQs about treatments in this New York Times article.