Walmart, Kroger raise at-home COVID test prices after agreement with White House expires

[CousinIT]

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/walmart-kroger-raise-home-covid-test-prices-agreement/story?id=82088255

Major retailers have increased the price of at-home COVID-19 tests now that an agreement with the White House to sell them at a fixed price has expired.

In September, Walmart, Kroger and Amazon agreed to sell the two-pack boxes of at-home rapid antigen tests for $14 for three months amid a surge in positive cases with the delta and omicron variants. The agreement has since expired, according to a White House official.

Walmart is now charging $19.88 per box, where available, and Kroger has raised the price to $23.99. The brand is currently unavailable on Amazon's website.

Despite the price hike, the at-home tests remain sold out -- both online and in stores across the country.

[leftstreet]

1. Why was the agreement not renewed? n/t

[DuaneT]

2. Insurance Companies

Will soon have to pay for the rapid at home tests.

[gopiscrap]

5. welcome to DU

[DURHAM D]

3. My local Kroger affiliate never sold the tests for less that $24.

I noticed that Walgreens is now charging $30 for the tests they charged $24 for during the "agreement"

[Zeitghost]

4. Makes sense considering the shortage

When demand outpaces supply you either get price hikes or shortages.