LITTLE ROCK — Throughout the pandemic, testing for the coronavirus (COVID-19) has been a vital tool for controlling the spread of the disease and ensuring that Arkansans can safely continue with their daily lives. The State of Arkansas has recently obtained 1.5 million rapid at-home COVID-19 tests that are available to Arkansans free of charge. For a list of locations where the at-home tests are available, visit the Health Department’s website.
For those not wanting to test at home, there are still COVID-19 testing sites located all across the state. All of the county health units in Arkansas, as well as several Arkansas hospitals and local independent pharmacies, offer testing for COVID-19 to Arkansans at no cost. However, at other testing locations, there may be an out-of-pocket charge. Before seeking a test, Arkansans should call the testing site of their choice and educate themselves on the costs associated with different types of COVID-19 tests, as well as the time needed to obtain a result and the tests’ reliability.
“Arkansans should know their financial obligation before they receive a COVID-19 test,” said Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “If you choose to get tested, ask a few questions to ensure that you are not left with unexpected medical bills.”
Before seeking a COVID-19 test, consumers should know the answers to these questions:
- Are appointments required?
- What fees are associated with testing at this site?
- Does this testing site accept insurance?
- How long will it take for results to be returned?
- How are test results provided?
- What number should be called if test results are not received in the time expected?
If you wish to file a complaint against a business, contact the Attorney General’s office by calling (800) 482-8982, emailing consumer@arkansasag.gov, or visiting ArkansasAG.gov
About Attorney General Leslie Rutledge
Leslie Carol Rutledge is the 56th Attorney General of Arkansas. Elected on November 4, 2014, and sworn in on January 13, 2015, she is the first woman and first Republican in Arkansas history to be elected as Attorney General. She was resoundingly re-elected on November 6, 2018. Since taking office, she has significantly increased the number of arrests and convictions against online predators who exploit children and con artists who steal taxpayer money through Social Security Disability and Medicaid fraud. Further, she has held Rutledge Roundtable meetings and Mobile Office hours in every county of the State each year, and launched a Military and Veterans Initiative. She has led efforts to roll back government regulations that hurt job creators, fight the opioid epidemic, teach internet safety, combat domestic violence and make the office the top law firm for Arkansans. Rutledge serves on committees for Consumer Protection, Criminal Law and Veterans Affairs for the National Association of Attorneys General. She also served as the former Chairwoman of the Republican Attorneys General Association.
A native of Batesville, she is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. Rutledge clerked for the Arkansas Court of Appeals, was Deputy Counsel for former Governor Mike Huckabee, served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Lonoke County and was an Attorney at the Department of Human Services before serving as Counsel at the Republican National Committee. Rutledge and her husband, Boyce, have one daughter. The family has a home in Pulaski County and a farm in Crittenden County.