Does Medicare Cover the COVID Vaccine?
Key Takeaways
- COVID-19 vaccinations are free for Medicare beneficiaries.
- If you are on Medicare, you also won’t pay any costs related to COVID-19 lab tests ordered by a healthcare provider or COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments if you have symptoms.
- Consult a physician or pharmacist if you are unsure about taking medication in conjunction with getting vaccinated.
Medicare covers all costs related to COVID-19 vaccination. Medicare also covers all costs related to COVID-19 antibody tests and COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments (performed soon after infection occurs to limit symptoms and complications).
Both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage cover the COVID vaccine. However, if you’re on Medicare Advantage you may need to visit a pharmacy that’s included in your plan’s network to receive full coverage. If you go to a pharmacy outside of your network for your shot, you may have to pay a portion of the costs.
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How Much Will it Cost to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?
The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency officially ended on May 11, 2023, and that means vaccines are no longer free to everyone. However, people who have health insurance, such as Medicare, will generally have the costs of receiving an updated shot covered.
If you are on Medicare, you also won’t pay any costs related to COVID-19 antibody tests or COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments when appropriate. Many but not all health insurance plans foot the bill for antibody tests, while monoclonal antibody treatments aren’t as commonly covered.
Who is Paying for the COVID-19 Vaccines?
Medicare will pay 100% of the costs for a COVID-19 shot. If you’re on Original Medicare, share your red, white and blue Original Medicare card with the provider administering the shot for billing purposes
If you have switched to a Medicare Advantage plan, you may need to go to a healthcare provider or pharmacy that’s included in your network to have all the costs covered. Present your plan ID card.
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How Long Does it Take for COVID-19 Vaccine to Take Effect?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that you are fully vaccinated two weeks after your final COVID-19 shot. The CDC estimates that your risk of infection will be reduced 90 percent once fully vaccinated; a CDC study also found that with two-shot vaccines, your protection against the virus is 80 percent greater two weeks after your first shot. [i]
What Medications Should You Not Take with COVID Vaccine?
The CDC recommends against taking “over-the-counter medicine — such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen — before vaccination to try to prevent vaccine-related side effects.” [i]
Consult a physician or pharmacist if you are unsure about taking medication in conjunction with getting vaccinated.
Sources
- Medicare & Coronavirus. Medicare.gov
- Are COVID-19 Vaccines Still Free? AARP.org
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