Kaiser Permanente Q & A Message Dec 7, 2020
After many months, a COVID-19 vaccine seems to be on the horizon. As we wait for the first vaccine to become available, please continue taking necessary steps to stay safe and healthy. Continue to wear a mask, wash your hands, and stay 6 feet apart — and remember to get your flu shot.
Your COVID-19 vaccine questions, answered
Meanwhile, you can hear the latest information on COVID-19 vaccines by calling
1-855-550-0951, anytime, day or night.
In addition, see answers to common questions you or your team may have:
- Will Kaiser Permanente be doing its own evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes. When a COVID-19 vaccine receives an Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA, that vaccine will also be released with safety and efficacy data that will be closely reviewed by our infectious disease and other clinical experts, along with state and federal public health officials. - Who will be eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will oversee distribution of the vaccine throughout the United States and will make recommendations about which groups of people should get it first. State officials will use the CDC’s guidelines to decide which groups will get the vaccine first in their states.
Federal officials have announced that health care personnel and residents of long-term care facilities should be prioritized for the first vaccinations.
There will be a limited supply available when the first vaccine is approved. We’ll offer it to people who meet the criteria in each phase of the prioritization process. - Will there be a cost to Kaiser Permanente members for the COVID-19 vaccine?
No. Kaiser Permanente won’t charge its members for the vaccine. Vaccine doses purchased with taxpayer dollars are required by the federal government to be given at no cost. - Will there be a cost to employers for the COVID-19 vaccine?
Vaccine doses purchased with taxpayer dollars under Operation Warp Speed are required by the federal government to be given at no cost and there will be no costs for these vaccine doses passed to employers. Where applicable, claims for administrating the vaccine to individuals will accumulate to an employer’s utilization and could impact future renewal rates.
Thank you for your patience and persistence. Together, we’ll continue to keep your workforce — and our communities — healthy and strong.
Sincerely,
Kaiser Permanente
As the situation around COVID-19 continues to evolve, we’re here to help you . Kaiser Permanente has been waiving all member out-of-pocket costs related to in-network COVID-19 treatment since April 1. Kaiser Permante Insurance is now extending this policy through the end of the year for all fully insured members and will continue to waive the out-of-pocket costs for treatment delivered by Kaiser Permanente providers.
We’re waiving these costs because we know that many more people will need treatment for COVID-19 in the months ahead — and because it’s the right thing to do. It’s more important than ever that we don’t allow the cost of care to prevent our members from getting the treatment they need. They should be focusing on getting well — not worrying about how to pay for their care.
Please share this information with your clients and encourage them to take steps to protect themselves and slow the spread of the coronavirus. Together, we can work to keep our communities healthy and strong.
We’re here for you. For more information, visit kp.org/coronavirus.
Sincerely,
Kaiser Permanente for Individuals and Families