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COVID-19

Health Organizations Urge Insurers to Continue Covering COVID-19 Vaccinations During Pregnancy

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

In an effort to prevent complications from COVID-19, 30 prominent professional health organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), have signed an open letter to insurers urging them to continue covering vaccinations during pregnancy. The letter, released this week, emphasizes the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccinations in protecting babies and pregnant people. ACOG is urging insurers to make the vaccine available to pregnant people without "undue utilization management or cost-sharing requirements," as patients who are forced to pay out of pocket or cover high cost-sharing are less likely to be able to protect themselves, their families, and their communities.

Key Takeaways:

  • 30 prominent professional health organizations, including ACOG, have signed an open letter to insurers urging them to continue covering vaccinations during pregnancy.
  • Pregnant patients and their infants are vulnerable to complications from COVID-19, including low birth weights, stillbirth, and respiratory distress.
  • Studies have shown that babies born following a COVID-19 infection during pregnancy have a higher risk of complications, and data demonstrates the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy.
  • Pregnant women who contract COVID-19 are also at higher risk of complications such as blood clots, hospitalization in intensive care units, and death.
  • The letter emphasizes the importance of making the vaccine available to pregnant people without "undue utilization management or cost-sharing requirements."
  • ACOG president Dr. Steven J. Fleischman stated, "The COVID vaccines were a remarkable scientific accomplishment, and they remain the best tool that we have to prevent severe outcomes associated with COVID infection."
  • Some states, such as Wisconsin and Georgia, have emphasized their support of COVID-19 vaccines and will continue to cover the shot.
  • The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines use mRNA technology, which creates a genetic code created in a laboratory to tell the body's cells to produce a protein that triggers an immune response.

Statistics:

  • A COVID-19 shot can cost roughly $140 for adults.
  • According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, pregnant women who contract COVID-19 are at higher risk of complications such as blood clots, hospitalization in intensive care units, and death.
  • According to ACOG, babies born following a COVID-19 infection during pregnancy have a higher risk of low birth weights, stillbirth, and respiratory distress.
  • Seven states have introduced legislation aiming to ban or limit mRNA vaccines.

Sources:

  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), "Open Letter Urging COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage in Pregnancy"
  • Stateline, "Health Organizations Urge Insurers to Continue Covering COVID-19 Vaccinations During Pregnancy"
  • Wisconsin Department of Health Services, "COVID-19 Vaccine Information"
  • Georgia Department of Public Health, "COVID-19 Vaccine Information"
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Adult COVID-19 Vaccine Price List"
  • Journal of the American Medical Association, "Risk of Complications from COVID-19 Infection During Pregnancy"
  • ACOG, "Clinical Guidance: COVID-19 Vaccination Considerations for Obstetric-Gynecologic Care"
  • Pfizer-BioNTech, "COVID-19 Vaccine Information"
  • Moderna, "COVID-19 Vaccine Information"

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