HHS launched a program May 3 in which the Health Resources and Services Administration is covering costs of administering COVID-19 vaccines to patients whose health plans don't cover vaccination fees or cover them with patient cost-sharing.
HRSA will reimburse providers at the national Medicare rate for vaccine administration and related patient charges for claims dated on or after Dec. 14, 2020.
The COVID-19 Coverage Assistance Fund program addresses the compensation need among healthcare providers vaccinating underinsured patients, as providers are not allowed to bill patients for COVID-19 vaccination fees. It is funded through the Provider Relief Fund Program.
"On top of increasing reimbursement rates tied to administering the shots, we are closing the final payment gap that resulted as vaccines were administered to underinsured individuals," HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said. "No healthcare provider should hesitate to deliver these critical vaccines to patients over reimbursement cost concerns."