Vaccinating the entire US population against COVID-19 has turned out to be a Herculean task, reflecting how the healthcare system and infrastructure was not prepared to manage such large-scale global pandemic. Amid an all-out effort to provide vaccines to each American, many payers have thrown their hats in the ring to become part of the massive inoculation drive. While health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act are bound to cover the COVID-19 vaccine, several insurers have come forward with their own plans to support the drive.
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) has offered vaccine coverage during the public health emergency as well as after the emergency lifts. Its members will get the vaccine free of coast as per the availability in the state.
- Announcing the same plan as Blue Cross NC, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield that complies with the CARES Act said it would cover COVID-19 vaccinations even after the public health emergency lifts. This plan will cover fully-insured and Medicare supplement members.
- Both CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and Florida Blue made their vaccination coverage plans public in December 2020, announcing free vaccines for their respective members. Free vaccines will be available in Florida Blue employer, individual, and Medicare Advantage health plans.
- Complying with the CARES Act, Cigna has announced free vaccines whether the member receives the shot from an in-network or an out-of-network provider. Also, Aetna waived COVID-19 vaccine cost-sharing for commercial and Medicaid members in compliance with the CARES Act.