AHIP launches resource page dedicated to COVID-19 vaccines

America's Health Insurance Plans has added a resource page on what insurers are doing in the COVID-19 vaccine effort.

The resource page includes actions being taken by individual insurers to provide access and to cover the cost of the vaccine, including deductibles and copays. The dedicated resource page also includes a list of Frequently Asked Questions focused on issues such as coverage, coding and billing, the timing and availability of vaccines, links to government toolkits and legislation focused on the vaccines.

WHY THIS MATTERS

In October, then Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Administrator Seema Verma made it clear that consumers would have access to a COVID-19 vaccine at no out-of-pocket cost, in an interim final rule released on October 28, 2020.

Medicare and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are to pay nothing for COVID-19 vaccines and their copayment/coinsurance and deductible are waived, Verma said. Also, private insurers must cover the vaccine without cost sharing from both in and out-of-network providers during the course of the public health emergency.

AHIP said health insurers are taking a lead role as the nation embarks on vaccinating Americans against COVID-19. They are working with national, state, and local leaders to help promote access to the vaccine, AHIP said.

THE LARGER TREND

President Joe Biden said on Monday that he expects that the U.S. will soon be vaccinating 1.5 million people a day, a half million more than his target of 1 million per day in his first 100 days in office. He said that the nation could surpass that initial target in about three weeks, according to CNN. 
 
Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: susan.morse@himssmedia.com