COVID-19 Treatment

COVID-19 treatment can prevent hospitalization and death and reduce your risk of getting Long COVID. It's most important if you are at high risk of becoming very sick from COVID-19.

Treatment is more effective if you start as soon as your symptoms begin. Get tested and talk to your doctor about the treatment that’s best for you as soon as you have COVID-19 symptoms.

Read down to learn about treatment options and programs that support access to COVID-19 testing and treatment for people without health insurance or coverage in Rhode Island.

COVID-19 Treatment Options

There are three authorized treatments for COVID-19. Paxlovid (oral antiviral) is the recommended treatment for COVID-19. If Paxlovid is not right for you, a healthcare provider may recommend Remdesivir (IV antiviral). If Remdesivir is not right for you, a healthcare provider may recommend Molnupiravir (oral antiviral).

For the safety of others, it’s best not to enter the store when picking up a prescription to treat COVID-19. Consider these options instead:

  • Contact the pharmacy ahead of time to make sure your prescription is ready
  • Use the drive-thru lane, if available
  • Ask a staff member to bring your prescription to the front entrance
  • Ask the pharmacy about delivery options
  • Ask a friend or family member to pick up your prescription

Who: Paxlovid is available to people who are age 12 or older, and started having mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 in the last five days.

How: Paxlovid is a pill you can take at home. Your healthcare provider can send a prescription to a pharmacy near you that has oral antivirals.

Cost assistance: If you have Medicare or Medicaid or are uninsured and you do not have a prescription drug benefit, you can get Paxlovid for free through December 2024 through Pfizer’s Patient Support Program. If you have private insurance, you can get Paxlovid at little or no cost through Pfizer’s Co-Pay Savings Program. 

Who: If Paxlovid is not right for you, a healthcare professional may recommend Remesivir. Remdesivir is an antiviral treatment for COVID-19 given by IV (intravenously). Anyone age 28 days or older (who weighs 6.5 pounds or more) and who started having mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 in the last seven days is eligible for IV antiviral medications.  

How: Call your healthcare provider right away and ask about IV antivirals. You will need to be evaluated by a healthcare provider first. Your healthcare provider will refer you to a healthcare facility that offers IV treatment. Treatment takes between 30 and 120 minutes. You will also need to be monitored for one hour after the treatment. This treatment takes place three days in a row. 

Cost assistance: If you are uninsured or privately insured, you may be able to get financial support for treatment with Remedesivir. 

Who: Molnupiravir is available to people who are age 18 or older, who started having mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 in the last five days, and who cannot take Paxlovid or Remdesivir.

How: Molnupiravir is a pill you can take at home. Your healthcare provider can send a prescription to a pharmacy near you that has oral antivirals. 

Cost assistance: If you are eligible and can’t afford treatment, you can get Molnupiravir for free through the MerckHelps Patient Assistance Program.

Options for people who don’t have health insurance or COVID-19 testing and treatment coverage

Federal programs are available to support access to COVID-19 testing and treatment for people without health insurance or coverage in Rhode Island.

  • Find sites offering COVID-19 testing and treatment at little or no cost through the Test to Treat program. The Test to Treat program helps people get tested and—if they test positive—be prescribed treatments from a healthcare provider and have their prescription filled all at one location. A call center is also available at 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) for help in multiple languages.
  • Get free testing and free treatment at home 24/7 through the Home Test to Treat program. The Home Test to Treat program provides access to free COVID-19 and flu telehealth visits and treatment for anyone who tests positive for either condition. Treatment can be shipped to you or picked up at a local pharmacy at no cost for those eligible. Individuals who are uninsured or enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, Indian Health Service, or VA Healthcare can sign up today and receive free at-home COVID-19 and flu tests even if they are not currently positive. Regardless of insurance status, anyone with a current positive COVID-19 test may enroll for free telehealth treatment. To learn more and register, visit www.test2treat.org or call 1-800-682-2829.

Treatment Resources