COVID Treatment Medication

Free treatments for COVID-19 can help prevent hospitalization and reduce your chance for severe disease. 

Treatment is available for people who are at increased risk of severe disease* and have developed COVID-19 symptoms in the last 5 days, even mild ones (such as runny nose or cough). The sooner you start treatment, the better. Find out more on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Department of Public Health website.

Eligibility

Treatment is available for people who are at increased risk of severe disease* and have developed COVID-19 symptoms in the last 5 days, even mild ones (such as runny nose or cough). The sooner you start treatment, the better.

How to Access

Call your doctor right away to learn about your treatment options if you are positive for COVID-19, OR 

  • Telehealth is available for individuals 18 or older living in Massachusetts. Learn more at mass.gov/CovidTelehealth. This is a quick and easy way to see if Paxlovid is right for you. If it is, we’ll arrange for you to pick it up at your local pharmacy or ship it with free overnight delivery. 
  • An FDA-approved antiviral IV therapy and oral antivirals are available through state-sponsored sites across the Commonwealth. Find a location near you on our website. You can also access a state-sponsored treatment site by calling 508-213-1380. The call line hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 8am to 6pm.
  • You may qualify for our in-home treatment program. Visit mass.gov/InHomeCovidTreatments to learn more about eligibility. 

View a map of locations offering antiviral pills and monoclonal antibody treatment: MA COVID-19 Therapeutic Locator

Available Therapeutic Treatments

COVID-19 therapeutic treatments, including an FDA-approved antiviral IV therapy and oral antivirals, can help lower the amount of virus in your body, protecting you from severe symptoms.

Treatment pills

  • Paxlovid (must be taken within 5 days of your first COVID-19 symptom) is an antiviral treatment pill for individuals age 12 and older. A free telehealth service is available to help you find out if it is right for you.
  • Molnupiravir (must be taken within 5 days of your first COVID-19 symptom) is an antiviral treatment pill that reduces the COVID-19 virus’ ability to multiply in the body. 

Injections/Infusions

Remdesivir (must be given within 7 days of your first COVID-19 symptom) is an antiviral infusion medication administered over the course of 3 days for individuals who have mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and are at high risk for severe COVID-19.

Begin your telehealth consult

When should I take Paxlovid?

  1. You must test positive for COVID-19 and have symptoms.
  2. Treatment must begin as soon as possible after testing positive and within 5 days of symptom onset.
  3. You also have certain medical conditions that put you at higher risk for severe disease (including being a current or former smoker, cancer, diabetes, obesity, or others) or are over age 65.

If you’re eligible for Paxlovid, you’ll be connected with a clinician for a video consultation within 30 minutes. The service is available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole and Portuguese.

Telehealth Overview

Who can use this telehealth service?

Telehealth is available for individuals 18 and older who are positive for COVID-19, experiencing symptoms, and currently living in Massachusetts. This service is not for medical emergencies or for individuals who are pregnant. If you are experiencing a medical emergency like having trouble breathing, please call 9-1-1.

Not everyone should take these pills

People with the following are not eligible for Paxlovid:

  • No symptoms
  • No risk factors
  • Have had COVID-19 symptoms for more than 5 days

 What do I need for the telehealth visit?

  1. A photo or PDF of your positive test result
  2. A list of medications and vitamins you’re taking
  3. If you have kidney disease, a copy of your lab results from the last 3 months. The dose of Paxlovid may need to be adjusted.
  4. During the video consult, your clinician will also check your ID. This will be for confidential health purposes only and will not be shared. There are a range of acceptable forms of ID including: Mass ID, driver’s license, work badge or permit, student ID, or community ID

Is this service free?

Yes, the telehealth service and optional overnight delivery is free, no matter your insurance status.