Sept. 28, 2023 — Technical issues that led to denials of coverage for the updated COVID-19 vaccines have been “largely, if not completely, resolved,” the nation's largest health insurers told federal regulators Wednesday.
“We promise that health insurers will fully cover the new COVID-19 vaccinations as required, without cost sharing, when consumers get them through an in-network provider or get them through an out-of-network provider when in-network options do not are available,” an industry group said in an announcement letter to the US Department of Health.
On September 12, the CDC really useful the brand new vaccine for all people 6 months and older, and manufacturers said supplies of the vaccines were ready. But there have been widespread reports that vaccinations weren't reaching pharmacies, and insurers sometimes refused coverage though the federal government required them to cover the whole cost. Before this round of vaccinations, all vaccinations were paid for by the federal government, although people without insurance can still get a free vaccine through a Federal program.
Federal officials met virtually Wednesday with insurance company executives to debate what HHS said were “current technical issues” in accessing the vaccines. Insurers represented on the decision included Blue Cross Blue Shield, CVS Health, Humana, Cigna, Anthem, Kaiser and United Healthcare.
Accordingly, 2 million people within the USA have received the brand new booster vaccination up to now this autumn HHS.
After a summer surge in COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths, most indicators are trending downward. In the week ending Sept. 16, 12.5% of all reported tests were positive, 1.9% of emergency room visits were on account of COVID-19 and there have been 19,674 hospitalizations on account of serious illness, the study found CDC. Deaths on account of COVID are increasing, accounting for two.7% of all U.S. deaths within the week ending Sept. 16, with sharp increases reported in Kentucky, West Virginia, Mississippi and Georgia.