Yes, most health insurance plans cover rabies shots for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which is the treatment given after a potential exposure to the rabies virus. However, coverage for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which is the vaccine given to people at high risk of rabies exposure, may vary depending on the insurance plan.
Coverage for Rabies Shots by Health Insurance
Private Insurance Plans:
- Most private insurance plans cover rabies shots for PEP and PrEP.
- However, there may be some exclusions or limitations, such as a copay or coinsurance.
- It is important to check with your specific insurance plan to determine your coverage.
Medicare:
- Medicare Part B covers rabies shots for PEP and PrEP.
- There is a deductible that must be met before Medicare will start to pay for services.
- Once the deductible is met, Medicare will pay 80% of the approved cost of services, and you will be responsible for 20%.
Medicaid:
- Medicaid covers rabies shots for PEP and PrEP.
- There are no copays or coinsurances for Medicaid beneficiaries.
Military Insurance:
- Military insurance covers rabies shots for PEP and PrEP.
- There are no copays or coinsurances for active-duty military personnel and their families.
No Insurance:
- If you do not have health insurance, there are several ways to pay for rabies shots.
- Patient assistance programs may be able to provide you with free or reduced-cost rabies shots.
- You may also be able to pay for rabies shots out of pocket.
How to Pay for Rabies Shots?
Patient assistance programs for uninsured or underinsured patients:
- There are several patient assistance programs that can help uninsured or underinsured patients pay for rabies shots.
- These programs typically require you to meet certain income and eligibility criteria.
- For more information on patient assistance programs, please visit the websites of the following organizations:
- Kedrion Biopharma’s Patient Assistance Program for KEDRAB® human rabies immune globulin: https://kedrab.com/rabies-resources/
- Bavarian Nordic’s RabAvert rabies vaccine: https://www.bnvaccines.com/
Payment options for adult vaccines:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a webpage on how to pay for adult vaccines.
- This webpage includes information on Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance, as well as options for uninsured or underinsured adults.
Payment policy for rabies treatment:
- The payment policy for rabies treatment varies depending on the type of treatment and the provider.
- For more information on payment policies for rabies treatment, please contact your insurance provider or the provider administering the treatment.
What You Need to Know About Medicare Coverage for Rabies Shots?
Eligibility and medical necessity:
- To be eligible for Medicare coverage for rabies shots, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part B and meet the medical necessity requirements.
- Rabies shots are considered medically necessary for PEP and PrEP.
Coverage under Medicare Part B and Part D:
- Rabies shots for PEP are covered under Medicare Part B.
- Rabies shots for PrEP are covered under Medicare Part D.
Medicare Advantage plans:
- Medicare Advantage plans are private plans that provide Medicare benefits.
- Most Medicare Advantage plans cover rabies shots for PEP and PrEP.
- However, it is important to check with your specific Medicare Advantage plan to determine your coverage.
Cost with Medicare coverage:
- With Medicare coverage, you will typically be responsible for a deductible and a copay or coinsurance for rabies shots.
- The exact amount of your costs will depend on your specific Medicare plan and the type of treatment you receive.
In conclusion, most health insurance plans cover rabies shots for PEP and PrEP. However, coverage may vary depending on the type of insurance, the type of treatment, and the provider. If you are unsure whether your insurance covers rabies shots, please contact your insurance provider.
