OIG reminds providers in COVID-19 vaccine program not to charge recipients

Health care providers participating in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program must administer the vaccines at no cost to recipients, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General yesterday reminded providers and the public. 

“OIG is aware of complaints by patients about charges by providers when getting their COVID-19 vaccines,” wrote HHS-OIG Principal Deputy Inspector General Christi Grimm. “Providers that charge impermissible fees must refund them and ensure that individuals are not charged fees for the COVID-19 vaccine or vaccine administration in the future. Consistent with the CDC Vaccination Program, providers are permitted to bill third-party payers (such as Medicare, Medicaid, the HRSA COVID-19 Uninsured Program, or a private insurer) for an administration fee, in accordance with the payer's applicable billing rules.”