The COVID-19 vaccine is free to you. What does that mean?
Dr. Christopher Chen of the Health Care Authority explains in this Q&A
Since the COVID-19 vaccine’s arrival, we’ve had many things to celebrate. As more people across the state prepare for their appointments, we want to remind you of one more piece of good news: the vaccine is free to all who want one.
Often when we hear the word “free,” we may wonder what the catch is, or if it’s too good to be true. We talked to Dr. Christopher Chen of the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) to learn more about what a free vaccine means.
As HCA’s medical director for Medicaid, Dr. Chen is an expert at helping people navigate Washington’s healthcare system. You may also recognize him from our February expert webinar.
Thanks for joining us, Dr. Chen. Let’s start with the basics. Is the COVID-19 vaccine 100 percent free?
Yes, the vaccine is completely free. No one should have to pay for the vaccine, or any costs associated with it.
Who pays for the vaccine then? Are there any hidden costs?
The federal government purchased the vaccine and is covering the costs. Because insurance companies don’t have to pay for the vaccine, there is no charge for patients.
You should not be charged out-of-pocket costs or receive a bill from your provider or from a vaccination clinic. There are very strict laws and expectations about no cost-sharing and no co-pays for COVID-19 vaccine administration.
What if someone receives a bill from their provider or insurance company?
If you have insurance and receive a bill for the COVID-19 vaccine, first contact your insurance provider and tell them they must have made a mistake. If this doesn’t address the issue, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
If you do not have health insurance, and receive a charge from a vaccine provider, you can email covid.vaccine@doh.wa.gov.
Let’s discuss the actual appointment. Why do people need to bring their insurance card to the appointment if the vaccine is free?
Sometimes a vaccine provider might ask you for insurance information because providers can still get reimbursed by insurers for the actual administration of the vaccine. If you don’t have insurance, don’t worry. Just tell the vaccine provider. You will still be able to get the vaccine at no cost.
Why are some people being asked to provide their social security number?
Sometimes during registration, or at the vaccine site, someone may ask you for a social security number so that the vaccine provider can be reimbursed by the federal government, but it’s not something that must be collected. You should not feel pressured to provide this information if you’re uncomfortable sharing.
Are undocumented immigrants able to get the vaccine?
Yes. The vaccine is available for free to everyone regardless of immigration status. Providers taking care of uninsured people, whether they’re documented or not, are able to seek reimbursement and cannot charge patients.
Will my medical information be shared with anyone?
There are a lot of strict rules and regulations in place to protect your personal health information. Everyone participating in the COVID-19 vaccination effort is held to these standards. The vaccine site will not make a copy or record your information.
That’s all helpful. We hope that you, as the HCA’s Medicaid director, can share more about the additional resources available to people who are part of the Medicaid program. For starters, what is Medicaid?
Medicaid, also known as Apple Health in Washington, is a program that provides health coverage for free or at a lower cost than traditional insurance. Preventive care, like cancer screenings, treatment for diabetes and high blood pressure, and many other health care services, are covered. More than 2 million people in Washington use Medicaid. You can see if you’re eligible here.
What COVID-19 vaccine services are available through Medicaid?
Transportation services are covered to and from a vaccine appointment for Medicaid clients. Drivers have been instructed to make the appropriate arrangements to transport and wait for clients.
Medicaid can also arrange interpretation services for you by phone or video for appointments.
A lot of this sounds “too good to be true.” We hear that there are vaccine scams trying to cheat people out of money. How can people best protect themselves from scams claiming that they can pay to get early access to vaccine?
A good safeguard to protect yourself is by only sharing information with providers you trust and have identified through a trusted pathway, like the DOH website. Don’t share information that you feel uncomfortable giving out. You can always ask to confirm the identity of the person on the phone. If that person says that you need help, like scheduling an appointment, then going to DOH or another trusted resource is a safer path.
What is your advice for someone who is undecided about getting the vaccine?
Think about the exact concerns you have with the vaccine. Is it a question about safety or effectiveness? Whatever your concerns are, try to find answers from a trusted messenger or resource. There are all kinds of information out there — some of it is better than others. Generally, I recommend resources from websites that end in .gov, .edu, or .org, and resources that tap into experts like scientists and medical professionals. Also consider the benefits of getting vaccinated, and all the positive things a vaccine would allow you to do, such as going out and visiting loved ones.
What are your top resources for patients who are looking for more info?
The CDC has really great materials and of course, DOH as well. Grapevine Health, which creates health “edutainment” content for underserved and under resourced communities, produced a helpful podcast on vaccine hesitancy that I highly recommend.
Primary care physicians are fantastic resources to talk to about the vaccine. If you have a medical condition or specific circumstance you’re concerned about, a primary care physician can help walk you through the decision-making process.
What would you say to someone who is eligible for the vaccine, but is reluctant because they feel like they might be taking the spot of someone who is more vulnerable?
That’s a great instinct to have to care about others, but when you become eligible for the vaccine, you should take the opportunity to get vaccinated.
What else should people think about when it comes to the vaccine?
I think there are a lot of people waiting to get the vaccine. To get on top of the pandemic, the best vaccine is the one that’s available to you. The right time to get it is as soon as you can. That’s how we’re going to get back to normal and be able to do the things we love. We are making fantastic progress every day and increasing our supply and ability to deliver vaccines. We’ll get there.
More information
Information in this blog changes rapidly. Sign up to be notified whenever we post new articles.
Check the state’s COVID-19 website for up-to-date and reliable information.
See what vaccine phase we are in now. To find out if it’s your turn, visit the timeline of vaccine phases. Check the vaccine locator map for a list of places where you can get the vaccine, which is provided at no cost.
Answers to your questions or concerns about COVID-19 in Washington state may be found at our website. You can also contact the Department of Health call center at 1–800–525–0127 and press # from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday — Sunday and observed state holidays. Language assistance is available.
