Key Takeaways

For people without insurance—or whose insurer passes along some of the cost—a new federal program calledBridge Accessis making millions of doses available at no cost through many pharmacies, plus some public health facilities likefederally qualified health centers. The program will last through December 2024.

New COVID Vaccines: Who Is Eligible and When Should You Get Them?

On September 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)recommendedthat everyone in the U.S. 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine. Now, shots are beginning to get to clinics, pharmacies, and doctors’ offices. But based on the changes behind how they’re funded, you can expect some glitches as everyone gets used to a new systemMarcus Plescia, MD, MPH, chief medical officer of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officers, told Verywell.

For example, Plescia said insurers have until September 26 to share payment information with providers, meaning there could be temporary snags in whether or not your vaccine is actually of charge. In addition, doses are only now making their way to providers, thoughCVS,Walgreens, and other pharmacies have added the new COVID vaccines to their online vaccine scheduling tools.

If you want to get a a vaccine as soon as possible, several locations will have them available. Where you should go depends on your insurance status, though there are options for all. Here’s what you should know, and when you should consider waiting.

Where to Get a Free Vaccine

Several types of locations will offer COVID vaccines, though their supply will not be equal.

Doctors’ Offices

Pharmacies

You may be asked for your insurance information when you schedule the appointment. If not, call and make sure the pharmacy takes your insurance, or you could be charged the full fee. Plescia suggests bringing your insurance card and ID even if the pharmacy has it on file just to decrease the chance of a glitch, and double check your insurance coverage when you check in.

In rare cases, insurance plans are not part of the Affordable Care Act, and you may be required to pay a copay or the full cost of medical care until you pay down your deductible. The CDC calls this being underinsured, and those consumers are eligible to get their vaccines for free through the Bridge Access program, Lori Freeman, CEO of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, told Verywell.

Vaccines.gov, the searchable site for all vaccines, lists not only locations where vaccinations are available, but also whether they are participating in the Bridge Access program. Freeman says a total of about 6 million doses of the vaccine are being allocated to the Bridge Access program, though not all at once. Some will be given to clinics, health centers, and pharmacies. That number is calculated based on how many uninsured people have already accessed free vaccinations. Schedule your appointment soon to be sure you can get it while the supply lasts.

9 Services to Get Your Cold, Flu, and COVID Supplies Without Leaving Home

Federally Qualified Health Centers

Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are outpatients clinics, often in medically-underserved areas, that qualify for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. They offer care ranging from primary/preventive and dental to mental health services and some specialty care, regardless of your ability to pay.Typically, local health department employees staff FQHCs.

Free Clinics

The U.S. has a network of over 1,000 free clinics, and many will have COVID-19 vaccines available for free.

“At each one, [vaccine access] depends on whether they are providing this service,” Ariana Gordillo De Vivero, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics, told Verywell. Clinics were able to give supplies for free while the the government was paying for vaccines under the Public Health Emergency. But that stock is gone, and free clinics are subject to the vaccine supply provided through programs like Bridge.

If you live far from a clinic, pharmacy, or doctor’s office, Freeman said you can check your local health department to see if there are mobile clinics or vaccine drives coming to your area.

What Medicare and Medicaid Recipients Should Know

A spokesperson for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which runs Medicare and Medicaid, told Verywell that people with traditional Medicarepay nothing for a COVID-19 vaccinationif their doctor or other qualified healthcare provider accepts assignment for giving the shot.

If your doctor’s office tells you they do not accept Medicare, most pharmacies will. But call the pharmacy first, make an appointment, and bring your Medicare card and ID with you.

“People with Medicare Advantage plans should contact their plan for details about payment for COVID-19 vaccines, but Medicare Advantage beneficiaries will pay nothing for a COVID-19 vaccination if they receive their vaccinations from an in-network provider,” said the spokesperson. Check your member information to find in-network providers giving the COVID shot. This could include both doctors and pharmacies.

What Is Concierge Medicine?

As a result of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, states must provide coverage for Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program), without cost-sharing, for COVID-19 vaccinations through September 30, 2024.

CheckVaccines.govor call the number on the back of your Medicaid card to find providers who are immunizing Medicaid beneficiaries.

But you may need to bring your patience along with your member cards and ID.

“CMS is aware that some consumers have had difficulty accessing COVID-19 vaccines, including experiencing unexpected insurance coverage denials at the point of service,” the spokesperson said. “CMS has been in close contact with the plans for these transitions for months. CMS is reaching out again to plans and issuers to ensure that their systems are up-to-date and prepared to meet their obligations to provide coverage of COVID-19 vaccines for participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees.”

Should You Wait a Week to Get a Vaccine?

Regardless of your insurance status, you may want to wait to get an updated COVID vaccine until September 26, when insurance companies settle coverage logistics with practices and pharmacies. But don’t wait much longer if you are eligible for a COVID booster—which you are if it’s been at least two months since your last one, or two months since a recent bout of COVID-19.

“COVID case rates are going up, so now is a good time to get the vaccine,” Plescia said. “Until you do get the vaccine, and especially if you’re at risk, consider precautions such as masking in crowded indoor spaces and testing if you or someone you’ve spent time with has symptoms that could be COVID-19.”

What This Means For YouInsurers only pay for the vaccine if you have a provider—doctor, pharmacy or clinic—they participate with. Confirm that participation with the provider before you get your shot. If you don’t have insurance, know that services like the Bridge Access program, as well as locations like FQHCs, can help you get a shot for free. A good starting point isVaccines.gov.

What This Means For You

Insurers only pay for the vaccine if you have a provider—doctor, pharmacy or clinic—they participate with. Confirm that participation with the provider before you get your shot. If you don’t have insurance, know that services like the Bridge Access program, as well as locations like FQHCs, can help you get a shot for free. A good starting point isVaccines.gov.

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.

1 SourceVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.FQHC Associates.What is a FQHC?

1 Source

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.FQHC Associates.What is a FQHC?

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

FQHC Associates.What is a FQHC?

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