Analysis
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) convened a session to examine potential policy options for Medicare coverage of vaccines. In the staff presentation, the existing Medicare policy for vaccine coverage was outlined, as well as Medicare spending on vaccines in Part B and Part D. The staff highlighted the government’s role in vaccination and specifically its support of COVID-19 vaccine development. The presentation also emphasized the disparities in vaccine use among Medicare beneficiaries and the need to potentially revisit the policy options for coverage for better vaccine adherence.
The Commissioners universally supported the policy option that moves all vaccine coverage to Part B with no cost sharing in order to increase access, but the Commissioners suggested that a new pricing mechanism, such as basing prices on average sales prices (ASP), be explored to better control costs.