CVS Health is actively monitoring the global COVID-19 pandemic including guidance from trusted sources of clinical information such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). Below is information about policies and procedures that CVS Health has implemented that focus on the health and safety of our colleagues, customers, members and patients. For more information about the virus, please visit the CDC and/or WHO websites dedicated to this issue. The information below also applies to our partners Banner|Aetna, Sutter Health|Aetna, Texas Health|Aetna, Innovation Health and Allina Health|Aetna.
*The content below is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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.
Yes, Aetna will cover COVID-19 vaccine administration fees without cost-sharing, for both in- and out-of-network providers, for Commercial and Medicaid members.
CMS has indicated it will pay for the cost of the vaccine for all Medicare beneficiaries, including those in a Medicare Advantage plan.
COVID-19 vaccinations will be available at pharmacies as well as doctors’ offices at other clinical sites of care. The initial list of pharmacies participating with the federal government in the administration of the vaccine can be found here.
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.
CVS is currently working with several states to help vaccinate their priority populations, including health care workers, frontline essential workers, and seniors, in a small number of CVS Pharmacy locations. Please visit CVS.com for the latest updates on availability at CVS locations in your area. Timing and eligibility will vary from state to state, based on state guidelines.
Aetna will follow the guidance provided by the CDC and FDA regarding the age of eligibility to receive the vaccine.
CVS Health is currently playing a prominent role in administering COVID-19 vaccinations to priority high-risk populations and will participate in helping to vaccinate members of the general public once the vaccines are made available for that population.
CVS Health has been selected by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as one of two providers to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to residents and staff of long-term care facilities and CVS Health teams are now administering COVID-19 vaccines at facilities in 49 states and Washington, DC.
As part of the vaccine rollout, CVS Health is also working with several states to support their programs to immunize other priority populations in a small number of locations.
Once we enter the general population phase of vaccine administration in the coming months, CVS is prepared to play a prominent role in administering COVID-19 vaccines to the general public as one of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Providers identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At that time the vaccine will be available at our nearly 10,000 pharmacy locations in communities across the country.
The FDA has authorized two 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. While the two leading vaccines include a second dose, some future vaccine candidates may only require one dose. Johnson & Johnson, for example, is expecting data in January that will show whether its experimental vaccine works after a single dose. In case it doesn’t, the company has also started a separate trial using two doses.
Yes, the process will be very similar to receiving a flu vaccine, including scheduling an appointment with your vaccine provider. At CVS, you can schedule 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.
Current science suggests that the COVID-19 vaccine will be like the flu vaccine, requiring annual dosing, but research will be required to fully answer this question.
Federal and state authorities have developed guidelines to prioritize vulnerable populations in the first phase of the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended the following groups be prioritized before the general public:
In early January, the federal Administration expanded Phase 1b to include adults 65 years of age and older.
Each state can choose to adopt these recommendations or implement their own prioritization guidelines. While we do not know the exact timing, vaccines may be available to the general public as soon as April or May.
While the first phase of COVID-19 vaccine distribution includes long-term care facilities, each state determines who to prioritize for the vaccine administration, based on the guidelines provided by the federal government. Additionally, the delivery of the vaccine is managed by contractors, including CVS Health, that have entered into agreements with the CDC to participate in the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program.
For more information on your state’s specific vaccine strategy, visit your state’s Department of Health website.
The information contained in this FAQ is subject to change at the discretion of CVS at any time, for any reason and without advanced notice
Aetna is the brand name used for products and services provided by one or more of the Aetna group of companies, including Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliates (Aetna).
Health benefits and health insurance plans contain exclusions and limitations.
You are now being directed to the AMA site
Links to various non-Aetna sites are provided for your convenience only. Aetna Inc. and its subsidiary companies are not responsible or liable for the content, accuracy or privacy practices of linked sites, or for products or services described on these sites.
You are now being directed to the Give an Hour site
Links to various non-Aetna sites are provided for your convenience only. Aetna Inc. and its subsidiary companies are not responsible or liable for the content, accuracy or privacy practices of linked sites, or for products or services described on these sites.
You are now being directed to the CVS Pharmacy site
Links to various non-Aetna sites are provided for your convenience only. Aetna Inc. and its subsidiary companies are not responsible or liable for the content, accuracy or privacy practices of linked sites, or for products or services described on these sites.
You are now being directed to the CDC site
Links to various non-Aetna sites are provided for your convenience only. Aetna Inc. and its subsidiary companies are not responsible or liable for the content, accuracy or privacy practices of linked sites, or for products or services described on these sites.
You are now being directed to the CVS Health site
Links to various non-Aetna sites are provided for your convenience only. Aetna Inc. and its subsidiary companies are not responsible or liable for the content, accuracy, or privacy practices of linked sites, or for products or services described on these sites.
You are now being directed to the Apple.com COVID-19 Screening Tool
Links to various non-Aetna sites are provided for your convenience only. Aetna Inc. and its subsidiary companies are not responsible or liable for the content, accuracy, or privacy practices of linked sites, or for products or services described on these sites.
You are now being directed to the US Department of Health and Human Services site
Links to various non-Aetna sites are provided for your convenience only. Aetna Inc. and its subsidiary companies are not responsible or liable for the content, accuracy, or privacy practices of linked sites, or for products or services described on these sites.
You are now being directed to the CVS Health COVID-19 testing site
Links to various non-Aetna sites are provided for your convenience only. Aetna Inc. and its subsidiary companies are not responsible or liable for the content, accuracy, or privacy practices of linked sites, or for products or services described on these sites.
You are now being directed to
The Fight Is In Us site
Links to various non-Aetna sites are provided for your convenience only. Aetna Inc. and its subsidiary companies are not responsible or liable for the content, accuracy, or privacy practices of linked sites, or for products or services described on these sites.
Links to various non-Aetna sites are provided for your convenience only. Aetna Inc. and its subsidiary companies are not responsible or liable for the content, accuracy, or privacy practices of linked sites, or for products or services described on these sites.
Please log in to your secure account to get what you need.
The information you will be accessing is provided by another organization or vendor. If you do not intend to leave our site, close this message.
Get a link to download the app
Just enter your mobile number and we’ll text you a link to download the Aetna Health app from the App Store or on Google Play.
Message and data rates may apply*
Each main plan type has more than one subtype. Some subtypes have five tiers of coverage. Others have four tiers, three tiers or two tiers. This search will use the five-tier subtype. It will show you whether a drug is covered or not covered, but the tier information may not be the same as it is for your specific plan. Do you want to continue?