Local Vaccine Efforts Ramp Up As Special Enrollment, Treatment Coverage Expands Access
The Biden administration continues to promote local vaccination efforts as Special Enrollment Period gives access to health insurance to over one million people and COVID-19 treatments cost patients nothing out-of-pocket.
Source: Getty Images
By - The Biden Administration announces additional funding for vaccination efforts as local vaccination campaigns are slated to push the United States to herd immunity. And HHS announces over one million enrollees during the Special Enrollment Period. Meanwhile, CMS increases payments for COVID-19 treatment, and HHS prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Biden Administration Increases Local Efforts in COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign
After announcing a new goal to have 70 percent of the US adult population with at least one COVID-19 vaccination dose by July 4th, the Biden administration is outlining just how they plan to meet this goal. They are partnering with ride-sharing companies like Lyft and Uber to provide free rides to vaccination sites and community colleges will be used as mass vaccination sites between now and the end of June. The administration also announced additional funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to states for efforts such as phone banking, door-to-door canvassing, and workplace vaccination sites. READ MORE
ACA Special Enrollment Exceed One Million Registrations
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra revealed that over one million people have registered for health insurance under the Special Enrollment Period made available through the American Rescue Plan. The high demand for subsidized coverage shows the need for more affordable health insurance options throughout the country. Enrollment continues through August 15, 2021. READ MORE
CMS Increases Payments for Monoclonal Antibody Treatments
On May 6, CMS announced the increase of payments from $310 to $450 for monoclonal antibody treatment for patients with COVID-19. The increase is irrespective of where the services are provided and can include a physician’s office, healthcare facility, or patient’s home. In an effort to help curb the spread of the disease, additional payments of $750 per treatment will be made available to providers administering the treatment in a patient’s home. Medicare beneficiaries will continue to pay nothing out of pocket for the treatment. READ MORE
Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity Prohibited
The inability to discriminate based on sex, as outlined in Section 1557 and Title IX, has expanded to include discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identify. HHS and the Office of Civil Rights updated the interpretation and enforcement after Bostock v. Clayton County in 2020 and subsequent decisions prohibited discrimination based on gender or sexual identity. The decision aims to improve health outcomes for LGBTQ+ individuals who have traditionally avoided seeking care when faced with discrimination. READ MORE
FDA Approves Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for Use in Adolescents
The emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine has been expanded to include individuals aged 12 to 15. Previously, the FDA only declared individuals 16 and older eligible to receive the two-shot vaccine, but recent data from a Phase 3 clinical trial conducted by the pharmaceutical company highlighted the vaccine’s effectiveness in adolescents. Experts believe that increasing vaccine-eligible population will push the country further toward herd immunity. READ MORE
