Most health insurers must cover the updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna without cost sharing effective Sept. 11, when the Food and Drug Administration authorized or approved the vaccines, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra reminded the payer community Sept. 22, citing reports that some consumers have experienced coverage denials when seeking the updated vaccines. 

“I want to underscore that my team stands ready to partner and problem solve wherever possible under our existing authorities,” Becerra wrote. “And most importantly, whether the problems are directly within your organization’s control or the control of your partners, your obligation as a plan or issuer to ensure that your members have coverage for COVID-19 vaccines without cost sharing is not conditional upon other parties’ compliance with applicable requirements.”

Related News Articles

Headline
Fewer than one in four health care professionals working in acute care hospitals and nursing homes were up to date with COVID-19 vaccination during the 2022-23…
Headline
Children under age 12 should receive a 0.25 milliliter dose of the 2023-24 Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, not the full vial for that age group, the Food and Drug…
Headline
The Department of Health and Human Services Oct. 27 urged Merck and Pfizer to work with private insurers to maintain access to their COVID-19 oral antiviral…
News
To enjoy a healthy Thanksgiving with family and friends, get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19. That’s the message of AHA’s latest United Against the Flu…
Headline
The Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response recently awarded over $500 million to prepare for clinical…
Headline
The Department of Health and Human Services in November will begin transitioning to commercial distribution an estimated 7.9 million treatment courses of the…