PENNSYLVANIA, USA — You should not be getting a medical bill for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Keywords there, being should not.
According to the CDC, "Vaccine doses purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars will be given to the American people at no cost. However, vaccination providers can charge an administration fee for giving someone the shot."
A FOX43 viewer posted a question about this on the FOX43 Finds Out Facebook Page. He wrote, "I just had to submit my Insurance info to Weis Markets sign up in order to schedule a Covid Vaccine. Is this correct? I thought it was a Federally paid program, what gives?"
FOX43 Finds Out who if there are any out-of-pocket costs associated with the COVID-19 vaccine.
You shouldn't have to pay for the shot, but doctors, nurses, and other medical staff should still be paid for administering the vaccine.
That's why people are being told to give their medical insurance information signing up for an appointment.
FOX43 Finds Out what some vaccine providers are charging for that administrative fee.
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, depending on how many doses of the vaccine are needed, it can cost anywhere from $16 to $29 per shot.
That doesn't exactly mean the person getting the shot will be charged for that cost, it's supposed to be billed to your insurer.
People who don't have health insurance, shouldn't have to pay either.
According to the CDC, no one can be denied a vaccine if they are unable to pay the administration fee.
While you may be asked to provide your medical insurance information when you make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, you should not be asked to make any payment at that time.
If you do, it's like a scam and you can report that to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office.
FOX43 finds out has more information about what each vaccine provider is doing when it comes to that administrative fee.
You can also check out the FOX43 COVID-19 Vaccine Guide for the latest updates on the rollout in PA.
Wellspan: "The COVID-19 vaccine will be free. However, vaccine administration charges will be billed to insurance with no out-of-pocket costs incurred by patients."
UPMC: "We do not expect that there will be a cost for the COVID-19 vaccine."
Penn State Health: "The vaccine is likely to result in little out-of-pocket cost to individuals. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is finalizing a rule that any COVID-19 vaccine with authorization from the FDA would be covered with no cost to seniors or low-income people in the government-funded health insurance programs. Commercial insurers and self-funded employer health plans are also likely to cover the cost of the vaccines due to rules in place by the federal Departments of Labor and Treasury. Check with your insurance provider for exact coverage details for your individual plan. People without insurance can also get the vaccine at no cost, thanks to a Provider Relief Fund that health care providers who administer the vaccine to the uninsured can apply to for reimbursement."
Rite Aid: "Individuals will not be charged for the vaccine or its administration. The federal government will pay for the cost of the vaccine. Vaccine providers will be reimbursed for administering the vaccine by the patient's insurance or by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) program for uninsured patients."
Geisinger: "Geisinger will provide the vaccine to everyone with no out-of-pocket costs. Will Geisinger Health Plan members have to pay for the COVID-19 vaccine? No. Geisinger Health Plan members will not have to pay any out-of-pocket costs to receive a COVID-19 vaccine."
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