After the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its guidance on some vaccines, coalitions of states have begun to form to issue their own guidances. | PHOTO COURTESY OF AFIF RAMDHASUMA on UNSPLASH
After the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its guidance on some vaccines, coalitions of states have begun to form to issue their own guidances. | PHOTO COURTESY OF AFIF RAMDHASUMA on UNSPLASH
(Spotlight Delaware is a community-powered, collaborative, nonprofit newsroom covering the First State. Learn more at spotlightdelaware.org).
Delaware is distancing itself from the country’s top health agencies by joining other Northeast states to form regional health guidelines, particularly around public vaccine guidance.
In the announcement, Meyer said Delaware would join with Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Rhode Island to collectively focus on “developing evidence-based recommendations on vaccinations, disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and supporting state public health labs.”
Gov. Matt Meyer said that recommendations on vaccination needed to be guided by science. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY JACOB OWENS
Meyer also emphasized that the coalition would base its recommendations on “science” – an apparent reference to recent federal policy decisions that critics say were to appease politics and not backed up by scientific data.
“Science must continue to determine how we keep our state healthy, and that science says vaccines save lives and protect our communities,” Meyer said.
Meyer’s announcement came after Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey ordered her state’s insurance carriers to continue to cover vaccines, even if they were not recommended by the federal government.
Chris Haas, a spokeswoman for the Delaware Insurance Commissioner, said Monday that her office is working to put together a list in the coming days with insurance providers’ commitments to cover immunizations.
She also said that the insurance commissioner’s office “was not looped into the Public Health Coalition announced by the Governor.”
“Should we find that carriers are unwilling to continue providing existing coverage for vaccinations, we will make every necessary effort, including via the legislature, to require such coverage,” Haas said in an email to Spotlight Delaware.
A shift away from federal health officials has also occurred on the West Coast, with California, Oregon and Washington forming their own coalition this month to manage public health recommendations.
The Delaware Division of Public Health, which leads the state’s epidemic response, did not respond to a request for comment.
On Wednesday, the Insurance Department released the following responses regarding vaccinations, noting that self insured plans and Medicare Advantage plans are regulated by the state agency.
Responses
AHIP, America’s Health Insurance Plans, a national association, stated“As we navigate an evolving health care landscape, maintaining robust immunization coverage continues to be a top priority for protecting both individual and community health. We are committed to ongoing coverage of vaccines to ensure access and affordability for this respiratory virus season. We encourage all Delaware residents to talk to their health care provider about vaccines.”
Aetna CVS Healthsaid “From an Aetna perspective, we continue to provide coverage for approved vaccines, including COVID-19, in compliance with applicable state and federal cost-sharing requirements. All members of insured plans voluntarily choosing to vaccinate against COVID-19 may do so with no cost sharing.”
“In addition to offering fully insured plans, Aetna also administers benefits on behalf of thousands of self-funded employers. As with all coverage decisions, self-funded employers determine their own insurance coverage as allowed under various federal and state laws.”
AmeriHealth Caritassaid “AmeriHealth Caritas supports our members who choose to get vaccinated by providing vaccine coverage. This coverage is in line with the preventive care service requirements in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). We encourage all Delaware residents to talk to their healthcare providers regarding vaccinations.”
Delaware First Health,also known asCentene,Celtic, and Ambetter Health of Delaware,reported that “We’re committed to providing coverage for evidence-based treatments, including vaccines. Ambetter Health of Delaware continues to cover COVID-19 and other vaccinations in alignment with public health guidance, and we encourage members to consult with their physician about all care needs, including vaccinations.”
Highmark shared "Highmarkhas not changed our vaccine coverage or medical policies on vaccinations. Members should be always consulting with their physician about personal health care needs."
UnitedHealthcare stated “There have been no immediate changes to vaccine coverage for our commercial members. We continue to monitor and evaluate the latest guidance.”
Cigna did not share commitments at the time of this advisory but is a member of AHIP. Theweb postingwill be updated if shared at a later date, or if carriers modify their coverage determinations.
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Gov. Matt Meyer said that recommendations on vaccination needed to be guided by science. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY JACOB OWENS
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Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.