Scientists have delivered on COVID-19 vaccines in record time, and now hospitals must sort through the logistical challenges of administering them, as well as billing, coding and other considerations. If reimbursement doesn’t cover the costs associated with the vaccine, hospitals may look to support from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF), although its use will be under the microscope.

So far, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given emergency use authorization to vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Additional vaccines developed by other companies may not be far behind. CMS has established payment rates for administration of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which require two doses.^[1] Reimbursement for administering the first dose is $16.94, and the second is $28.39, plus or minus depending on the patient’s location. There’s no established reimbursement for the vaccine itself, because it’s provided free by the federal government.