For some, fall Covid shots may come with copays — or no coverage at all

If you’re in good health and plan to get a Covid shot this fall, you might end up with an unwelcome surprise: a bill

If you’re in good health and plan to get a Covid shot this fall, you might end up with an unwelcome surprise: a bill.

The Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve the next round of Covid shots soon, but only for a smaller, high-risk group — adults 65 and older and people with underlying health conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is likely to follow suit, limiting its recommendation on who should get the shots to the same groups. (The CDC currently recommends Covid vaccination for everyone 6 months and older.)

The change, experts say, could affect what insurers are willing to cover for everyone else who doesn’t fall under a high-risk group.

By law, most health insurance plans are required to fully cover vaccines recommended by the CDC and its outside advisory committee, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

For those who don’t fall under the CDC’s new recommendations, experts say coverage would depend entirely on their insurance — with some deciding to fully cover the shot, others requiring a copay and some not covering it at all.