NASPA and Pharmacy Organizations Urge Insurers to Maintain Vaccine Coverage
This week, the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) joined with eight other leading pharmacy organizations in calling on the nation’s largest health insurers to maintain comprehensive vaccine coverage without increasing out-of-pocket costs for patients.
Together with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP), the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP), the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA), and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), NASPA sent letters to Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, AHIP, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Kaiser Permanente, and Cigna.
The pharmacy organizations voiced concern that changes to vaccine recommendations from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) could lead some insurers to reconsider vaccine coverage. The letters emphasized that the scientific consensus around the safety and effectiveness of vaccines remains strong and urged insurers not to introduce new cost barriers unless there is clear, evidence-based justification.
NASPA is committed to ensuring that pharmacists and pharmacies across the country can continue delivering accessible, affordable immunization services. We will keep working with our partners to advocate for policies that protect public health and the patients we all serve.