COVID-19 vaccine is free to all Wisconsin residents
To set people’s minds at ease, the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI), issued a bulletin affirming that the COVID-19 vaccine will be provided at no cost for all Wisconsin residents. As described in the bulletin and in accordance with federal guidance, all health insurers will be prohibited from applying cost sharing for the vaccine, or for any costs associated with administration of the vaccine.
Anyone without health insurance will also be able to get vaccinated, without out-of-pocket costs.
“As distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine continues, we want to ensure that every Wisconsinite knows they have access to the vaccine, without any cost barriers,” said Wiscon- sin Insurance Commissioner Mark Afable. “Regardless of who your insurance company is or if you even have insurance coverage, Wisconsin residents can be assured that they will not be charged to get the COVID-19 vaccine.”
The COVID-19 vaccine is currently distributed in accordance with federal and state guidelines, with healthcare personnel, people in long-term care and assisted living facilities, and other essential workers receiving priority access. Wisconsin’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program, as established by the state Department of Health Services, provides information about the state’s vaccine distribution plan.
The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, required any COVID-19 vaccine to be covered at no cost to consumers. It also expanded the range of COVID-19 services that must be covered, to include testing, office visits and urgent care, or emergency room visits.
The bulletin issued by the OCI, affirms that all health insurers in Wisconsin, must follow the CARES Act requirements and not apply any cost-sharing for the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Tens of thousands of people across Wisconsin, have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Afable. “And we know that low-income communities and communities of color have been disproportionally impacted. That’s why we’re working to ensure that everyone can get vaccinated, regardless of whether or not you have health insurance.”
