I have an international flight booked in May and thus I will have to provide a verified negative COVID-19 test taken the day before my flight home.
But many are expecting that the current requirement will go away sometime soon. Over the past two years I have used a number of the eMed tests that included telemed sessions and are approved for travel but they have some issues. The first is that they are expensive and second is they tend to expire quickly.
What to do, what to do…
The solution for me is this: I am buying iHealth COVID test kits as they are cheap enough that the government mandated reimbursement from my health insurance will cover the fee to buy them. Then, if the testing requirement is still in place before I fly home, I can pay an upcharge and use these kits via their telemed service to be approved to fly.
Perfect! What else is on my mind?
As I have blogged about before, I am a huge fan of masks when flying. Well, let me tweak that – I am a huge fan of masks until the jet’s air filtration system is working and reducing the chance of getting sick from others around me. I personally plan to keep wearing a mask when traveling in an UBER or on my way to my flight. But with one big change.
The type of mask I will wear.
As you can see from the featured image at the top of this post I am wearing a 3M N95 mask but one with a vent that makes it very easy to breath. These were NOT approved during the mask mandate for obvious reasons. But now, with the mandate gone, I am free to have outstanding protection for myself and able to breath comfortably with no issue.
I really hope the need for US entry testing does end soon for flying back home. In contrast to that I hope the testing requirement for getting on a cruise ship remains for the foreseeable future as well as the vaccination requirement for anyone onboard as someone who is currently double vaxed and double boosted! – René
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I just traveled at the beginning of the month internationally and came back and used the emed test. It’s still $120 for six tests but I also can charge it to my HSA card. I checked The expiration on the lots I bought are now May 20 23 so for a six pack I will probably end up using them. So I feel like they are getting better and also was much faster short a whore whole time for me to get through and do my tests.
@Sally – You can charge to any card you want (hello points) and then later still pull the cash from your HSA. Thanks for data point on expiration dates – clearly they have improved that since my last order that was almost expired the day I got them.
The cost for 6 tests from Emed is $150 unless somehow you found a special deal.
Worst case scenario you can always fly to Mexico and just walk across the border. No testing required and a good chance you’ll get free air fare to your preferred destination. Oh and don’t forget your free phone for participating.
@JP – On my last cruise I overheard some passengers say one in their family tested positive so did just that and then flew how with full blown COVID. Such a wanted disrespect for others.
So, you are concerned enough about catching covid that you will mask up, but do absolutely nothing to protect others from covid you might be carrying.
Is that a fair assessment?
@jfhscott – As stated in post I am 2x vaxed and 2x boosted. That plus my family tests 1x a week fyi. As to masks – it is personal responsibility now.
Are you vaxed and boosted? Do you wear a mask when you travel?
[this comment removed for trying to spread false information about vaccines – please everyone get vaccinated and boosted]
How do you pay for the telemed appt for unopened tests that you already purchased? I only see how to buy the bundled test/appt on the website. Would love to be able to do this when traveling to the UK in a few weeks.
@Shari – Any unopened iHealth works.
Totally – that’s great! Just curious how you’ve scheduled your telemed? It says I need an email or registration #?
@Shari – Have not yet as waiting to see if I need to pay for it or not.
And that’s precisely why I shall continue wearing a mask
When flying! Does the vent really make a difference?
What is your source for the mask please Rene?
What are your thoughts on a vented kn94 VS the95?
So you feel safer sitting at the front. Of the plane ?
Do you eat and remove mask?
I have 4 flights planned to Europe within a two month period because the STONES are in Europe for their
sixtieth Anniversary!!!
Any good miles runs around please?
When is Am going to fly jfk to abroad please? Any ideas?
Happy travels!
@Nina:
I feel the vent makes wearing a mask much better.
I like real N95s from a US manufacture.
Less people near you (think biz) less chance to get sick.
I will remove my mask during meals yes.
Chris is working hard to find good runs but there are few to be had right now.
No idea on when AeroMexico again showing fares from USA to Europe.
Safe travels to you!
Insurance may cover eMed tests, at least mine did. Did you have a problem getting your insurance to cover them?
@CH – The government rule is max $12 per test 4 tests per person every 30 days covered.
I flew to Vegas last Sunday and returned on the 28th. Almost no one was wearing masks in the airports or on the planes. The amount of virus in the air must be enormous compared to when masks were mandatory. I’m fully vaccinated and double boosted. I wore a KN95 during travel (except eating and drinking) and generally indoors in Vegas. No one I encountered had obvious symptoms, but on the return I experienced cough and runny nose. I tested positive for Covid when I got home and am isolating for five days. If there is a lot of virus in the air, people are vulnerable even when wearing the best masks much less cloth ones.
@john – Scary but expected.
I’m hoping they remove the test requirement for returning to the states as well. I just don’t see it happening anytime soon. Several other countries are dropping their requirements today. 5/1/2022 I just don’t see OUR government following suit. Unless you have some juicy inside information Rene’? If so, please share!!! lol, I’ve got some GUC I want/need to use. Soon
@Jeff – If I had insider info I would not have posted this post! 😉
I am planning a trip to Italy next month. I would like to use your suggestion of bringing an iHealth covid test kit and pay the upcharge to use the telemed service. When I clicked on the telemed service, it says sold out. Any suggestions?
@Jane – How frustrating. I would just keep checking back to see when they again have availably. Hopefully this is a short term issue.