Free Vaccines: New Health Insurance Coverage Rules
The "Protecting Free Vaccines Act of 2025" aims to ensure citizens do not incur additional costs for specific immunizations. This means health plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP will be required to cover the full cost of ACIP-recommended immunizations that were current as of October 25, 2024, until the end of 2029. This will provide citizens with easier access to important vaccinations without worrying about extra fees.
Key points
No extra costs for selected immunizations: Health insurance (group and individual), Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP will not be able to charge any fees or deductibles for immunizations recommended by the ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) as of October 25, 2024.
Long-term protection: These changes will be in effect from the date of enactment until December 31, 2029, ensuring stability in access to free immunizations for several years.
Protection against recommendation changes: Even if ACIP recommendations for specific vaccines are changed or revoked after October 25, 2024, insurance will still be required to cover the costs of those immunizations, based on the last recommendation before the change.
Vaccinations for children and pregnant individuals: The act explicitly strengthens coverage for pediatric vaccinations and ensures access to vaccinations for pregnant individuals under the Medicaid program.
Introduced
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