Where Vaccine and Insurance Meet

Thankfully, the vaccine for COVID-19 is free. So why do they want to see your insurance information before they stick that needle in your arm? The president of Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Angela Dowling, spoke to KGW News about this.   

The government does pay for the vaccines. However, the costs of all of those people who guide you along through lines, take your name and information, swab your arm and inject that dose of Moderna or Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson, and then keep an eye on you afterwards in case of a serious reaction, have to be paid.   

“Heard (sic) immunity is important,” Dowling said to KGW. “We just need to make sure we get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible.”  

And our insurance companies are contributing to the process by paying for all of the people needed to get us to herd immunity. Of course, if you don’t have health insurance, you will not be given a bill for any of these services.  

An Oregon State Health and Sciences University spokesperson said, “Patients will never be turned away if they do not have insurance, and patients themselves will not pay for their vaccination visit.  

Regence has partnered with Medical Teams International to provide free vaccines throughout the Pacific Northwest.  

By Sally K Lehman 

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