A new formulation of the COVID-19 vaccine is expected this fall. For people without health insurance, accessing it may present new challenges.
The original COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. all were bought and distributed by the federal government, and getting vaccinated was free of charge as a result. Ordering from the government stopped August 3. Once the existing supply of government-purchased COVID-19 vaccines is gone, getting vaccinated will become a covered service under health insurance, leaving people without medical coverage in an uncertain position.
Filling the gap for uninsured people?
People without comprehensive health insurance will face the full commercial price of a COVID-19 vaccine in many health care settings, likely presenting a financial obstacle to getting vaccinated or boosted. The federal government hopes to lower that barrier with two upcoming programs, but there are some delays. Moreover, the initiatives are far narrower than the universally free vaccines currently available.
As part of the first program, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will buy supplies of COVID-19 vaccines and send them through an existing state and local vaccination network known as the Section 317 Immunization Grant Program. The vaccines will go to local health departments and federally supported health centers, where uninsured people can get them for free.
A second program would put free COVID-19 vaccines in more locations, but it is not yet running and contracting is delayed. The CDC is in talks to partner with CVS, Walgreens, and a group of independent pharmacies to fund free COVID-19 vaccines in retail settings for people without insurance. However, the federal government does not expect to finalize contracts with the pharmacies until mid-October at the earliest, which is several weeks after the system is likely to shift from the free emergency supply to commercialized vaccines.
Once the newly formulated vaccine becomes available, partners may need to spend even more time and effort investigating local opportunities for their clients to get boosted or vaccinated free of charge.
Health insurance benefits
People with health insurance are unlikely to notice a change in how vaccines get paid for. Private health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid all have to cover the full cost of a customer’s vaccines received in network. For people with insurance, the COVID-19 vaccines will still feel “free.”