(Reuters) – A group of health insurers on Wednesday told the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) they were fixing issues that have gummed up the roll out of COVID-19 vaccines and are ready to address any others that develop.
“At this time, we understand that systemic technical issues have been largely, if not completely, resolved and are not limiting patient access to vaccines,” representatives for many U.S. health plans wrote in a letter to HHS.
“Should further issues arise, we stand ready to swiftly implement system improvements,” the insurers said.
The missive came in response to a letter HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra wrote last Friday. HHS raised concerns in their letter regarding some customers experiencing insurance coverage denials when they wanted the updated COVID-19 vaccines.
As representatives for health insurers, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Alliance of Community Health Plans, Association for Community Affiliated Plans and AHIP said in the letter on Wednesday they are closely monitoring reports of any technical or coding barriers to vaccine coverage.
They said their health plans were committed to “fully covering the new COVID-19 shots, as required, with no cost sharing when consumers access them from a network provider or receive them through an out-of-network provider when in-network options are unavailable.”
They said their health plans are contacting members who experienced claims denials or other hurdles in the initial days of vaccine availability.
The U.S. government has handed over the responsibility for vaccinations to the private sector, but has said the shots will still be free for most Americans with health insurance coverage.
(Reporting by Sriparna Roy in Bengaluru; editing by Timothy Gardner)
