The latest COVID-19 vaccine just rolled out and people are seeing delays in being able to receive them. Medicare and Medicaid and some private insurance plans are required to cover the new Pfizer and Moderna injections.
Late last week, the new vaccines became available in the United States. Additionally, American regulators have recommended the COVID vaccine to individuals six months and older, including the latest batch of them.
As people line up to receive their injection of the new vaccine, many are finding they have to pay out of pocket. Additionally, these patients have stated they they are seeing injection prices anywhere between $125 and $190 at their pharmacies.
Some individuals are being told their insurance companies are not covering the latest batch at this time. These individuals have shared their frustrations about these facts on social media platforms.
COVID Hospitalization
Over the past 11 weeks, hospitals around the nation have seen an uptick of COVID-19 cases. In fact, weekly hospitalizations because of the virus had risen to 20,538 for the week ending September 9.
However, those numbers are still much lower than they were during the height of the pandemic. Those overwhelming numbers helped teach hospitals deal with slight upticks in a more efficient manner.
At-Home Testing
As the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the world, the United States launched a program providing free at-home testing kits for each household in the nation. When the cases steadily declined, the government suspended the program in May. However, on September 25, Americans will once again be provided with free at-home tests.
US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra made this announcement this past Wednesday. He had just received his vaccinations for COVID-19 and the flu during an event held at CVS Pharmacy in Washington.
The agency’s Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response has been resupplying its stockpile to ensure there are enough to go around. Additionally, the COVID tests coming available are intended to be used through the end of 2023. However, they will have instructions on how to verify the expiration dates, as many of the test have dates that have been extended past what is printed on the packaging.
COVID-19 Test Manufacturers Granted Funds
To help strengthen production capacity in the U.S., HHS and ASPR will be handing COVID test manufacturers $600 million. Additionally, this money will also be used to purchase roughly 200 million over-the-counter tests that will be used by the federal government.
The manufacturing companies that will be receiving the funds are in California, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington. Furthermore, the partnership between domestic manufacturers and the Biden Administration “has made great strides in addressing vulnerabilities in the U.S. supply chain by reducing our reliance on overseas manufacturing,” added Becerra in a statement.
These critical investments will strengthen our nation’s production levels of domestic at-home COVID-19 rapid tests and help mitigate the spread of the virus.
Staying Safe
While the cases of COVID has dropped significantly since the grip of the pandemic, it is still advisable to take precautions against it. As with any major virus, like influenza or pneumonia, booster doses should be done prior to the height of the season.
Granted it can be frustrating to repeatedly inoculate against a virus, they can still benefit individuals by lessoning the chances of severe illness. Subsequently, it is even more frustrating when there is a hiccup with insurance or having to pay out of pocket. However, it is hopeful these hiccups will quickly pass.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services spokesperson stated the agency is “aware that some consumers have had difficulty accessing COVID-19 vaccines.” They even acknowledged that some people are “experiencing unexpected insurance coverage denials at the point of service.”
Furthermore, the agency had been in “close contact with the plans about these transitions for months.” To alleviate some of the strain people are dealing with they plan on touching base with those processes claims to ensure their systems are “up-to-date.” Additionally, they will make sure these systems are prepared to “provide coverage of COVID-19 vaccines for participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees.”
Anyone who comes across or has had insurance issues will be able to receive their COVID-19 vaccine soon. Pharmacies and other agencies providing the services will be able to assist individuals in scheduling their inoculation at a later date.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
CNN: US households will be able to order more free Covid-19 tests starting Monday
CNBC: Fall Covid shot rollout gets off to a bumpy start as some patients see insurance delays
ABC News: How hospitals have been coping with COVID as number of admissions tick up
CDC: COVID Data Tracker
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