OIG Reminds Providers Not to Charge COVID-19 Vaccine Recipients
- April 23, 2021
Providers participating in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program must administer the vaccine at no cost to recipients, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) said in a notice posted April 15.
“OIG is aware of complaints by patients about charges by providers when getting their COVID-19 vaccines. Providers that charge impermissible fees must refund them and ensure that individuals are not charged fees for the COVID-19 vaccine or vaccine administration in the future,” the notice said.
Providers may bill third-party payers, such as federal health care programs or private insurers, for an administration fee in accordance with applicable billing rules, OIG said.