Does Medicare Cover the COVID Vaccine?
Key Takeaways
The federal government provides free COVID-19 vaccinations for everyone living in the United States regardless of their health insurance situation.
If you are on Medicare, though, you also won’t pay any costs related to COVID-19 antibody tests or COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments when appropriate.
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).
Does Original Medicare and does Medicare Advantage cover the COVID vaccine? Yes, both do.
Find a local Medicare plan that fits your needs
How Much Will it Cost to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?
The federal government provides free COVID-19 vaccinations for everyone living in the United States regardless of their health insurance situation. [i] That means that whether you’re on Medicare or not, you pay nothing related to getting the vaccine.
If you are on Medicare, though, 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.
Does Medicare cover COVID vaccine administration? The provider who administers the vaccine can’t legally charge you any fees, including administrative fees.
Who is Paying for the COVID-19 Vaccines?
Medicare will pay 100% of the costs for a COVID-19 shot — both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
If you have switched to a Medicare Advantage plan, you still should share your red, white and blue Original Medicare card with the provider administering the shot for billing purposes. However, if you don’t have your card with you, you still won’t have to pay for the vaccine.
Are you eligible for cost-saving Medicare subsidies?
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.
What extra benefits and savings do you qualify for?
