What to do
Get medicine if a test is positive
If you test positive, act quickly to get medicine to prevent getting the illness from becoming serious.
COVID-19 medicine is recommended for most adults and some teens.
If you test negative and you are still feeling sick, test again in 1-2 days. If you think it might be the flu, contact a provider to ask about flu testing and medicines.
If you do not have insurance
Get a free doctor visit by phone or online with Sesame Care:
Call (833) 686-5051 or click the button below.
If you have Medi-Cal
Medi-Cal members have free phone visits with a doctor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can get treatment by phone.
San Francisco Health Plan
Start an online visit or call 800-835-2362.
Anthem Blue Cross
Start an online visit or call 888-548-3432.
If you do not hear back from the Medi-Cal provider within 24 hours, contact Sesame Care: call (833) 686-5051 or go to Sesame Care.
If you have insurance
Contact your healthcare provider to request COVID-19 medicine.
If you do not hear back from them within 24 hours, contact Sesame Care: call (833) 686-5051 or go to Sesame Care.
Get COVID-19 at-home tests
1. Order up to 8 free at-home tests by mail from the federal government
Every US household can place an order to have 8 free at-home tests delivered to your home.
2. Get at-home tests covered by your insurance
Your insurance may provide you with free at-home tests. Find out more.
You can also buy at-home tests at stores and pharmacies.
3. Pick up free at-home tests at a neighborhood site
Tests are free, regardless of insurance. Pickup is available three days a week at two sites. No appointment needed. Self-testing is available on-site. Staff can provide guidance if requested.
Wednesdays
Ella Hill Hutch
1181 Golden Gate Ave
9 am to 5 pm
Fridays and Saturdays
Unidos en Salud
24th and Capp
9 am to 3:45 pm
You may also find test kits being given out at some clinics and community organizations.
Special cases
Get on-site COVID-19 testing
Get on-site COVID-19 testing
Get on-site testing if you prefer not to do an at-home test, or if you need written proof of your test result.
If you are uninsured, find free or low-cost testing at pharmacies and community sites.
If you have insurance, ask your doctor for a test. They are required to help you get tested if you have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19. Testing contacts at common health care providers in SF are below:
Carbon Health
415-792-6040
Circle Medical
415-840-0560
Dignity Health GoHealth Urgent Care
650-448-1455
Kaiser Permanente
Getting a COVID test at Kaiser
866-454-8855
North East Medical Services (NEMS)
415-391-9686
One Medical
415-593-1134
UCSF
415-514-7328
Get help
Get free COVID-19 medicines if you do not have insurance
Visit Sesame Care or call 833-686-5051 to make a free phone or video appointment.
You can also use Sesame Care if you have not been able to reach your provider within 24 hours.
Last updated November 30, 2023