Pay BillCOVID-19 — Commercial and Medicare Advantage Plans
COVID-19 Vaccinations
- COVID-19 vaccines are covered in full.
- An updated vaccine is available that is anticipated to be more effective at fighting currently circulating variants.
- We encourage you to keep up with your COVID-19 vaccinations as people who have received their vaccines have lower risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19.
- To keep up-to-date about COVID-19 vaccinations and for more information, visit the CDC.gov website
COVID-19 Testing
- Lab tests for the diagnosis of COVID-19 are covered like other lab tests. Check your plan coverage for your cost share. This includes any pre-surgical testing that is required. If you have a diagnostic COVID-19 test at an urgent care center, your urgent care cost share will apply.
- At-home, over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are not covered by Independent Health.
- Before you throw out your expired COVID-19 test kits, check to see if the expiration dates have been extended.
Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHB): The FEHB plan will continue to cover at-home, over-the-counter COVID tests at the same cost share as other lab services.
Self-funded Plans: please check your specific coverage with your employer.
State Programs (MediSource, MediSource Connect, Child Health Plus, Essential: No changes to current coverage.
COVID-19 Antiviral Drugs
- As of February 1, 2024, Paxlovid and Lagevrio, COVID-19 antiviral prescription drugs, are covered on the Medicare and commercial formularies.
- Medicare members with prescription coverage have a $0 cost share for either drug.
- Commercial (Employer and Individual/Family), Essential, or Child Health Plus Plan members with prescription coverage have a Tier 2 cost share.
Staying safe and healthy
COVID-19 is still present and remains a health concern, especially for people with chronic conditions and weakened immune systems. Below are reminders to keep you and others around you safe and healthy:
- Avoid close contact with those who are sick, practice proper hand washing, cover coughs and sneezes, keep surfaces clean and follow appropriate use of masks.
- If you feel sick or feel unwell, avoid others.
- Follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance about when to get tested for COVID-19.
- As a reminder about current CDC guidance:
- Regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate from others when you have COVID-19.
- You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results.
- Use precautions to prevent spread, including staying home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) and wearing a mask. Masks are recommended when around others and in public through day 10 during or following isolation, or possibly longer, unless you have had two negative tests at least 48 hours apart.
- View additional COVID-19 health information including symptoms and treatment.
Vaccinations for COVID-19
There are different locations where you can get your vaccinations. You may need to schedule an appointment. For information on where to schedule an appointment:
- Visit Vaccines.gov, or call 1-800-232-0233
- Check your local pharmacy’s website, or with your primary care doctor or community health center.
Be sure to take your insurance card and your vaccination card when you go for your shot.
Questions and Answers about the COVID-19 vaccines
Are COVID-19 vaccines safe? Do they really work?
Yes, the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Getting a COVID-19 vaccination is a better way to protect against COVID-19 than getting sick with COVID-19. Getting sick with COVID-19 can cause severe illness or death, and we do not know who will have mild or severe illness.
The vaccine is very important for people with other health problems like heart disease, lung disease, diabetes and obesity, who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
If you are vaccinated and get COVID-19, your illness might not be as bad.
Does the COVID-19 vaccine make you sick with COVID-19?
No. The vaccine cannot give you COVID-19. It teaches our bodies how to fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Some people might get a fever or feel ill for a day or so, but that is normal.
Can the COVID-19 vaccine cause fertility problems (problems trying to get pregnant) in women or men?
No. Studies show that the COVID-19 vaccines do not cause problems getting pregnant.
Can I get a COVID-19 shot with the flu shot?
Yes. You can safely get both shots at the same time.
Last Updated May 2026