No. Aetna members in Commercial and Medicaid plans will not have to pay any out-of-pocket costs for a COVID-19 vaccine. For Medicare beneficiaries, CMS will cover the full cost of the vaccine, including those in a Medicare Advantage plan.

No. Aetna members in Commercial and Medicaid plans will not have to pay any out-of-pocket costs for a COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they go to an in-or out-of-network pharmacy or provider.

CMS pays for the cost of the vaccine for all Medicare beneficiaries. This includes, those in a Medicare Advantage plan, regardless of whether they go to an in-network or out-of-network pharmacy or provider. Please be sure to bring and show your red/white/blue Medicare ID card or your Medicare Number – not your Aetna member ID card – when you get vaccinated. This will help your health care provider or pharmacy to bill Medicare.

Public health officials have announced plans to make booster shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines available beginning in late September. Consistent with CARES Act requirements, Aetna plans will cover these vaccines in accordance with regulatory guidance and approval.

Yes. Since a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines is recommended by the FDA and authorized by the CDC for individuals with weakened immune systems, the administration of a third mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is covered for those Aetna plan members.

For Medicare beneficiaries, including those in a Medicare Advantage plan, CMS will cover the cost for the third vaccine dose for those who qualify.

In accordance with the FDA and CDC guidelines, any individual whose immune system is compromised (such as those taking immune suppressant medication, undergoing chemotherapy or having recently received a transplant) qualifies for a third dose of an mRNA vaccine. Members should contact their health care provider with questions.

To determine if you are eligible for a third dosage, some vaccine administration sites may ask for an attestation or other documentation. If you are eligible, with Aetna medical and pharmacy insurance you won’t require a prescription for coverage of a third dose of an mRNA vaccine.

At this time, the FDA and CDC are not recommending additional doses for those who received the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine and an additional dose will not be covered.

COVID-19 vaccinations are available at pharmacies as well as doctors’ offices at other clinical sites of care. The list of pharmacies participating with the federal government in the administration of the vaccine can be found on the CDC website. Additionally, VaccineFinder is a free, online service operated by Boston Children’s Hospital, in partnership with CDC, that has information on COVID-19 vaccine availability at certain providers and pharmacies in some states.

Our State Resource lookup tool provides links to each state’s health department and vaccine resource page, so you can get the latest information about when and where vaccines will be available in your area.

You can also visit CVS.com for the latest updates on availability at CVS locations in your area.

Aetna follows the guidance provided by the CDC and FDA regarding the age of eligibility to receive the vaccine.

Right now, children over the age of 12 are eligible to receive the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine.

Adolescents over age 12 can receive a Pfizer BioNTech vaccine through many of the vaccination locations already providing vaccines today, including pharmacies, health systems, and local vaccination clinics and events. Vaccine distribution strategies vary by state, so we encourage you to check your state’s vaccine website for more information. Our State Resource lookup tool provides links to each state’s health department and vaccine resource page, so you can get the latest information about where Pfizer BioNTech vaccines are available in your area.

The FDA has authorized three COVID-19 vaccines which have been shown to be safe and effective as determined by data from the manufacturers and findings from large clinical trials. These data demonstrate that the known and potential benefits of this vaccine outweigh the known and potential harms of becoming infected with COVID 19. CVS Health is only administering vaccines that have been authorized for use by the FDA and our COVID-19 vaccination services are being conducted in compliance with CDC guidance for safe delivery of vaccines.

Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have two doses, with the second dose coming a few weeks after the first. Pfizer-BioNTech’s second dose comes three weeks after the first, and Moderna’s comes four weeks later. The second dose gives people a strong, long-lasting immunity and it is recommended that individuals get both doses of the same vaccine.

Providers will need to ensure that individuals who got the first shot receive a second shot of the right vaccine at the right time.

Yes, the process will be very similar to receiving a flu vaccine, including scheduling an appointment with your vaccine provider. At CVS, you can walk in to receive a vaccine or schedule an appointment online at CVS.com or through the CVS app. CVS Pharmacy has ample experience in safely administering vaccines, including millions of flu shots every year.

After receiving your first dose, you should receive a Vaccine Record Card that documents the type of vaccine you were given, the date you received it, and where you received it. You are encouraged to bring your Vaccine Record Card with you when returning for your second dose.

The FDA and the CDC are confident that the vaccine is safe and effective against COVID-19. At this time, the available data suggests that the chance of developing a rare blood disorder – thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) – is very low, and the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks.

For women between the ages of 18 and 49, this adverse event is rare, occurring at a rate of about 7 per 1 million vaccinated women. For women 50 years and older and men of all ages, this adverse event is even more rare. Women younger than 50 should be aware that other COVID-19 vaccines are available where this risk has not been seen.

Patients who receive the Janssen vaccine should monitor for severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath for 2 weeks after administration.

If experiencing symptoms, patients should contact their health care provider.