HHS Launches New Vaccine Reimbursement Program for Providers

The Department of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration, has announced a new program for providers to cover the cost of administering COVID-19 vaccines to patients enrolled in health plans that either do not cover vaccination fees or cover them with patient cost-sharing.

The COVID-19 Coverage Assistance Fund addresses a provider need to be reimbursed for uncompensated costs. Providers cannot bill patients for COVID-19 vaccination fees.

The Coverage Assistance Fund focuses on instances in which individuals have insurance, but vaccines are either not covered or are, but typically with patient cost-sharing. To address these gaps, the fund will compensate providers for eligible claims at national Medicare rates, which, in March, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services increased to reflect newer information on the true costs associated with administering the vaccines.