Health Insurers Say They'll Stand Up for COVID-19 Vaccine Access

Cost-sharing: Federal law requires major medical insurance plans to cover widely supported vaccines without imposing copayments, coinsurance bills or deductibles on the enrollees.

In recent weeks, news reports have surfaced about some people facing bills when they went to drug stores, clinics or other providers to get the newly released vaccine update.

"Throughout this transition to traditional public and private reimbursement, our members prepared and have been working tirelessly to overcome systems challenges and increase access," the health insurer groups wrote. "You have our commitment that health insurers are fully covering the new COVID-19 shots, as required, with no cost sharing when consumers access them from a network provider or receive them through an out-of-network provider when in-network options are unavailable."

Insurers are trying to work quickly to resolve any billing problems or other technical challenges that are cropping up, the groups said.

"At this time, we understand that systemic technical issues have been largely, if not completely, resolved and are not limiting patient access to vaccines," the groups added. "Should further issues arise, we stand ready to swiftly implement system improvements."

Credit: Shutterstock