Federal health officials are urging Americans to contact their insurance companies after reports that some people are having trouble getting benefits. New COVID-19 vaccination For free. These problems occurred despite programs and requirements designed to make filming available to all Americans without out-of-pocket costs.
This year’s commercials have new hurdles. New coronavirus infection (COVID-19) vaccine rollout Moderna and Pfizer are currently listed Over $100 on the private market.Early in the pandemic, vaccines and booster Everything was there paid for By the federal government.
“There are many issues related to billing codes. [and] Vaccine Transport,” Dr. Celine Gounder, CBS News medical contributor and KFF Health News public health editor, said on “CBS Morning” Tuesday.
Officials say the lull in coverage of vaccinations this year should be temporary as insurers and vaccinators work to resolve problems with the system in which they process claims for shots. .
“My sense is that these are glitches that will be addressed soon, but if not, first and foremost, I want you to know that you don’t have to pay out of pocket to get the COVID-19 vaccine. That means no,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said. he told reporters on September 20.
Here’s the latest information we know about the policy to make COVID-19 vaccines free. how to find the shot There is no cost.
Free coronavirus vaccine for insured members
Under federal law, plans are required to cover: COVID-19 vaccine It is available free of charge through providers within your insurance company’s network.
If there are no vaccinators available in-network to provide vaccinations, insurance companies must cover the service out-of-network at no cost to you.
“If you have private insurance, whether it’s private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid, you should be able to get the vaccine for free. It’s covered by your insurance,” Gounder explained. “However, these glitches have caused some issues. It may be better to wait until early to mid-October until these issues are resolved. If you want to get the vaccine now, , you may need to resubmit or appeal the denial,” but you should get it for free. ”
a “cheating paper” Below are some details on coverage for Americans with private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid from the nonprofit organization KFF.
Requests for cover shots started immediately. Updated autumn 2023 shots After getting the green light from the Food and Drug Administration, officials Saiderase 1 month Grace Private insurance companies typically have to introduce new vaccines.
“I am writing this letter to ask for continued partnership and to remind you of our legal obligations regarding vaccine coverage,” Becerra wrote. letter It was submitted to health insurance companies on Sept. 22, outlining the requirements in detail.
Becerra said federal health officials have been urging insurers for months to “start preparing their systems” ahead of the vaccine rollout this fall.
However, pharmacies and doctors have complained that some insurance companies have not updated their vaccination billing systems, causing some people to be turned away from appointments.
Mitchell Rosolz of the American Pharmacists Association said in a Sept. 22 speech that “the CDC and CMS have previously issued guidance that they can begin implementing, but a significant number of plans have not followed it.” . meeting Number of federal vaccine advisors.
Experts at the meeting said it is not unprecedented for new vaccines to have difficulties rolling out, and other vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus and pneumococcal disease have also faced hurdles in coverage and availability this year. admitted that it was.
“Unless we continue to face these obstacles, we need stronger enforcement to enforce that,” Rotorz said.
Becerra said in the letter that he urged insurance companies to “act as soon as possible.”
“In the meantime, I encourage consumers to contact their plans and issuers to make meeting their obligations as easy as possible,” he said.
Free coronavirus vaccine for people without insurance
Uninsured Americans can receive free shots at federal Bridge Access Program locations run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Locations with shots available for use in the program can be found online Through vaccines.gov.
They are include Federally supported health centers, vaccinators who receive their shots through local health departments, and pharmacies at many retail stores, including: walgreens and CVS.
Vaccines in the Bridge Access Program are supposed to ask uninsured Americans if they have health insurance and then administer the shots at no out-of-pocket cost. Pharmacies participating in the program receive payment from the federal government for each dose they administer.
Patients shouldn’t have to prove they don’t have health insurance to receive the program’s free shots. But uninsured Americans in trouble may ask pharmacists to enter their information into the system to show they have paid for prescriptions out-of-pocket in the past.
“The Bridge Access Program is designed to remove patient barriers to COVID-19 vaccines. The burden of verifying patient eligibility is on our health care system, not on patients,” the CDC said. . Said This is described in the FAQ published for the program.