Current Events > where's free covid shots?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I've been told and advertised to in Kroger that most shots are free. Well, my flu shot was free. My covid shot was gonna be $100+! They tried seeing how much both types of shots would be with my insurance and they were both that much.
Anywhere have guaranteed free shots? I may bite the bullet and just pay cause I really want the shot.
Again, i have insurance. I'm under 55 though.

It might depend on insurance. Shitty work insurance probably doesn't but Blue Cross does.

It depends on insurance, currently. The government is no longer covering the cost of covid shots because Republicans suck, so now it's entirely based on what your insurance wishes to cover.

My work insurance goes through United Healthcare and Blue Cross.
Some people were mentioning CVS

My insurance covered it. Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield is pretty good.

pedro45 posted...

My work insurance goes through United Healthcare and Blue Cross.
Some people were mentioning CVS

I've got an appointment on Monday at CVS and I didn't get any message when I set it up that I'd be having to pay for it. Probably a good idea to check there.

Vaccines.gov

Enter your zip and search for covid vaccine. You need to look for a place with the "CDC's Bridge Access program" and schedule your shot with them. I would still call just to double check but you should be good to go.

Edit: actually i just looked it up and apparently the Bridge program may not apply to those with insurance. Idk, I guess you could call a place near you and ask about that?

Nothing says "patient choice in healthcare" like the only insurance available at your work telling you where you can go and what you can take.

I guess by choice, they mean "deal with it or die"

Non insured for me was $199 and now Im waiting for my free one from my job instead (healthcare ftw).

I was not charged at CVS today for my vaccine. Obviously you'd still want to check that your insurance is covered.

All insurances are required by law to cover COVID shots with no co-pay right now. This could change of course. Also, there is still Federal money to be had for free shots for the uninsured as part of the Bridge Access Program, you can check the CDC website, also many CVS and Walgreens pharmacies offer free/reduced cost shots for the uninsured so you can ask you local pharmacy

When is now?
Like, should i ask again today for them to check my cost?

pedro45 posted...

When is now?
Like, should i ask again today for them to check my cost?

Sometime last month the FDA released a mandate requiring Insurers to provide free shots, the 22nd maybe? Anyway, there's probably some Grandfather clause's that provide exceptions in corner cases, but most Americans with insurance should be able to get shots for free. Also, there's the same in-network nonsense there always is, so if you went to Kroger's maybe Krogers is out-of-netwok for you so check Walgreens (my local Walgreens is accepts BCBS but states can be different I think) or CVS or check with your insurer for an in-network provider

Edit: Dep of Health and Human Services issued a mandate not FDA.