Medicare AdvantageCoverageMedium impact
COVID-19 vaccine mandate effective January 1, 2022
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island·RI·Physician / Facility
Effective date
Jan 1, 2022
We identified it
Jun 19, 2026
Summary
BCBS Rhode Island is reminding providers that Medicare Advantage and Medicare-Medicaid Plans must pay for COVID-19 vaccines and administration (including boosters) without cost sharing starting January 1, 2022. This is a CMS mandate requiring these plans to cover vaccination costs completely.
Action Required
Effective January 1, 2022: Billing team must ensure COVID-19 vaccines and administration services (including booster doses) are billed with no patient cost-sharing for Medicare Advantage and Medicare-Medicaid Plan members. Update billing system to remove copays, coinsurance, and deductibles for these services. Contact ProviderRelations@bcbsri.org with questions about implementation.