Coverage changes for COVID-19
Published by: Medicare
The Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 ended on May 11, 2023. After May 11, 2023:
- Medicare will continue to cover vaccines without cost sharing.
- You might have cost-sharing for COVID-19 diagnostic tests.
- Medicare won’t cover over-the-counter (OTC) tests.
- Telehealth services will continue through December 31, 2024.
Keep reading to learn more about these changes.
Get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can.
Medicare covers the updated COVID-19 vaccine at no cost to you. The updated vaccine targets the original COVID-19 viral strain and 2 Omicron variants (BA.4/BA.5). Medicare covers the vaccine for anyone who has Medicare. Be sure to bring your Medicare card.
- The updated Pfizer vaccine is available for people 5 and older.
- The updated Moderna vaccine is available for people 6 and older.
Note: Some adults 18 years and older who have completed their primary vaccine series have the option to get a Novavax vaccine instead of the updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Visit CDC.gov to learn more about the Novavax vaccine.
If you:
- Already had at least 1 shot of the original COVID-19 vaccine but haven’t gotten the updated vaccine: You can get the updated vaccine at least 2 months later.
- Are 65 or older and got the updated vaccine at least 4 months ago: You can get a second shot of the updated vaccine.
- Are immunocompromised (like people who have had an organ transplant and are at risk for infections and other diseases) and got 1 shot of the updated vaccine at least 2 months ago: You can get a second shot. Your healthcare provider can determine if and when you should get additional shots of the updated vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Get details about the vaccine.
If you have Medicare and have a disability or face other challenges in getting to a location away from home for a vaccination, Medicare will pay a doctor or other care provider to give you the COVID-19 vaccine in your home. You might need to give them your Medicare Number for billing, but there’s still no cost to you for the vaccine and its administration.