Matt Eyles, president and CEO of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) issued this statement following today’s release of a rule from the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to cover Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccines:
“Every American deserves access to affordable, high-quality coverage and health care. With the onset of COVID-19, health insurance providers were clear—No one should hesitate to seek testing or treatment from their doctor for COVID-19 because of costs.
“This commitment was followed by immediate and decisive actions to help the millions of Americans suffering from this destructive virus. From ensuring access to diagnostic testing, to expanding health system capacity, to taking action to mitigate the economic and societal impact, health insurance providers continue to respond during these unprecedented and challenging times.
“As vaccine development progresses, health insurance providers will be ready to ensure that Americans have quick and simple access to an authorized, recommended and available COVID-19 vaccine. We applaud the Administration for making sure that all Americans can get vaccinated with no patient costs, and we thank them for ensuring that the vaccine will be administered at an affordable price. These are the kinds of solutions that ensure Americans have swift access to recommended COVID-19 vaccines while ensuring affordable coverage and care for everyone.
“Our focus is how we can help people stay healthy and well and get better when they are sick, and this is even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health insurance providers will be working to swiftly implement this rule in their operations. And, health insurance providers will continue to work with federal, state and local leaders to provide our expertise and resources to ensure Americans get their COVID-19 vaccines. Health insurance providers are also lending a hand in planning and strategy, educating the public, facilitating vaccine deployment, gathering data on vaccine effectiveness, and ensuring our members get any required follow up doses.
“Defeating COVID-19 starts with ensuring that Americans help stop the spread of the virus, have swift access to testing and treatment, and take safe and effective vaccines as soon as they become available. Health insurance providers are driven to supporting these efforts. Americans deserve nothing less.
“We look forward to submitting our comments on this important interim final rule.”