The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 contained an important piece of money-saving health care news for older adults: Vaccines covered under Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D) and Medicaid are free in 2023. This means there are no more co-payments or deductibles to meet for any vaccinations recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This list includes the vaccines for shingles and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, which is also known as whooping cough).
Nurse Giving Vaccination.
The Adult Vaccine Access Coalition (AVAC), whose members include the National Council on Aging (NCOA), called the bill “an investment in the future health, well-being, and economic security of our seniors and those in marginalized communities.” AVAC has been an advocate for cost-free vaccines since its founding in 2015.
Even in non-inflationary times, many older adults have gone without health-preserving vaccines, like shingles and Tdap, because their budgets couldn’t stretch to cover out-of-pocket expenses.
“Every year, thousands of adults die and thousands more suffer serious health problems from vaccine-preventable diseases due in part to the complicated and costly landscape faced by Medicare and Medicaid recipients when seeking access to vaccines,” explained AVAC.
As of January 1, out-of-pocket costs for all ACIP-recommended vaccines were eliminated for people with Medicare Part D. Out-of-pocket vaccine costs for most people enrolled in Medicaid will be eliminated beginning October 1, 2023.
Part B vaccines have been cost-free. These include the annual influenza vaccine, pneumococcal shots, and the COVID-19 vaccines. Hepatitis B shots are cost-free for anyone at medium or high risk of contracting the virus.
Be sure to discuss your vaccination needs with your doctor, since recommendations can vary depending on your overall health and medical conditions. For adults 50 and older, the ACIP recommends the influenza, shingles, Tdap, and COVID-19 vaccines. It adds the pneumococcal vaccine for people 65 and up. Article courtesy of National Council on Aging.