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 antiviral pills, like Paxlovid, can help lower the amount of virus in your body and protect you from severe symptoms. They can help prevent hospitalization and reduce your chance of 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).

types of Treatments

Antiviral Oral Medication:
  • 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
    • Interactions with many medications and supplements/vitamins, including common ones sold over the counter can cause serious complications, so it's important for health care providers to have an up-to-date medication and supplement list before prescribing.
  • Molnupiravir (brand name Lagevrio)
    • Must be taken within 5 days of your first COVID-19 symptom
    • Must be 18 years or older
    • The CDC recommends that this drug should be used when other treatments aren’t available
Intravenous Injections:

  • Remdesivir (brand name Velurky)

    • Given over 3 consecutive days

    • Must be given within 7 days of your first COVID-19 symptom
    • Available for children and adults. 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

Learn more about the approved treatments from Yale Medicine (May 2023).

How to access treatments

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

1) Call your doctor right away to learn about your treatment options.

2) Telehealth

  • MA residents can be evaluated directly for COVID-19 treatment, without contacting their health care provider
  • Request a free telehealth consultation online or by calling 833-273-6330
  • Clinicians are available every day from 8 am to 10 pm.
  • Telehealth service is offered in collaboration with Color Health, Inc.

3) In-Home Treatment Program

  • In-home Remdesivir treatment is available for any individual who meets clinical criteria and has difficulty accessing it in the community
  • Patients and their health care providers can call the CDR Health In-home COVID-19 Treatment Call Center at 617-644-7592 Monday through Saturday from 8am to 6pm. Appointments also can be scheduled directly on the CDR Health Patient Portal page at patientportalma.com.

4) MA Therapeutics Locator Tool 

  • Search for specific treatments and the closest locations near you.
  • You can also call 800-232-0233 (TTY 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. Learn more and find a test-to-treat location near you.

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? 

  • Paxlovid: The FDA issued full authorization for adults in December 2023 and continues to have Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for children 12 and older. In a clinical trial, Paxlovid reduced the risk of hospitalization and death by 86% in unvaccinated outpatients with COVID-19 at higher risk of severe disease. Serious adverse events are uncommon with Paxlovid treatment. 
  • Remdesivir (Veklury): 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. Remdesivir reduced the risk of hospitalization and death by 87% in unvaccinated outpatients with COVID-19 at higher risk of severe disease.
  • Molnupiravir: Has Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) issued by the FDA. An oral antiviral that has marginal efficacy data and safety concerns regarding reproductive toxicity. Other treatments are recommended first.