Medicare and Medicaid to Cover Early COVID Vaccine, Sources Say

Politico sources say the Trump administration may soon unveil a plan to cover out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 vaccines for millions of Americans who receive Medicare or Medicaid. Under the planned rule, Medicare and Medicaid would cover vaccines that receive emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration — a change from current policy, according to sources. The regulations have been under development for weeks and are likely to be announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Earlier in October, the administration made a deal with CVS and Walgreens to administer an eventual COVID-19 vaccine with no out-of-pocket costs to seniors and health care workers in long-term care communities. At least two COVID-19 vaccine developers said they intend to apply for an emergency use authorization before the end of the year.