COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Faces Insurance Delays and Shipping Issues
The rollout of the fall Covid vaccine in the US has encountered obstacles as some patients experience delays in health insurance coverage for the shots. While private insurance plans and government payers are required to cover the new vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, some patients have reported being charged for the shots or being told that their insurance plans do not cover them yet. The delays are attributed to insurers updating their plans to include the new vaccines. Public health officials have reassured insured patients that they can access Covid shots for free, but the reports of insurance issues have caused confusion. The coverage missteps come as concerns grow about low uptake of the new vaccines, with only 17% of the US population having received the Pfizer and Moderna boosters.