Decide if you want to delay getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine by 3 months. Getting COVID-19 again is less likely in the weeks to months after you had COVID-19, but there are certain reasons why you may want to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine sooner than 3 months, like:
- Your personal risk of severe disease
- Risk of disease in a household member or close contact
- Local COVID-19 hospital admission level
- The most common COVID-19 variant currently causing illness
If you paid to get a COVID-19 vaccine
If you get other medical services at the same time you get the COVID-19 vaccine, you may owe a copayment or deductible for those services.
If you paid a fee or got a bill for a COVID-19 vaccine, check this list to see if your provider should have charged you:
- Check receipts and statements for any mistakes.
- Check if your provider is in-network with your health insurance plan. Plans only have to cover the full cost of the vaccine if you get it from an in-network provider.
- Call your provider's office to ask about any changes you think are incorrect. They may help you better understand the services you got, or realize they made a billing error.
- Review your “Explanation of Benefits.” Report anything suspicious to your insurer.
COVID-19 diagnostic testing
Some Marketplace plans might not cover:
- COVID-19 diagnostic tests done at a doctor’s office or other health care provider
- At home COVID-19 tests you buy online or at a pharmacy or store
But, Marketplace plans must cover all applicable COVID-19 diagnostic tests as long as they were ordered or bought before May 12, 2023, even if the claim is processed after May 11, 2023.
Call your health insurance plan for more details.
If you need medical care
Call before going to the doctor. You may be asked to do the following to lower exposure risk and protect others:
- Wait in your car until the start of the visit
- Use a limited entrance
- Be screened for COVID-19 by having your temperature checked
- Avoid waiting rooms and areas
- Maintain social distancing
- Wear a face covering, which will be provided to you if you don’t have your own
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer
If you’re sick with COVID-19 or think you may have it, visit CDC.gov for steps to help prevent the spread. If you need emergency care, you should go to the closest hospital that can help you.
Generally, Marketplace plans continue to cover COVID-19 treatments. If your plan has deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance for these services, you'll still pay those.
For the latest COVID-19 information
CDC.gov/coronavirus has the latest public health and safety information from CDC and for the overarching medical and health provider community on COVID-19.