HHS reminds insurers to cover updated COVID-19 vaccines without cost sharing

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.”