Medicare Vaccine Uptake Rises, Act’s Role Still Unclear to Many

Article Summary –

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) reports that provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have increased the uptake of Part D-covered vaccines and saved beneficiaries over $400 million in 2023. An increase of 42% in shingles vaccine uptake and 114% in Tdap vaccine uptake was reported once the vaccines became free for enrollees in 2023 due to the IRA. However, a tracking poll found that a significant number of registered voters and Medicare-age voters are unaware of the IRA’s provisions, including the $35 monthly cap on covered products, the annual limit on out-of-pocket Part D prescription drug costs, and the requirement for the federal government to negotiate the price of some prescription drugs.


IRAs Contribution to the Increase in Vaccine Uptake and Cost Savings

Earlier this month, the ASPE released new data suggesting the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has amplified Part D-covered vaccines uptake and saved beneficiaries over $400 million in 2023.

Impact of Free Charge Vaccines on Uptake

With the IRA making recommended Part D vaccines free of charge in 2023, this led to a 42% increase in the shingles vaccine and a 114% rise in the Tdap vaccine. Over 6 million beneficiaries received the newly available RSV vaccine at no cost. The data also provides insights into the uptake of vaccines by state and various demographics, including those eligible for the “Extra Help”.

Parallel Increase in Insulin Fills

The rise in vaccine uptake mirrors the increase in insulin fills following the IRA’s $35 monthly cap on covered products, demonstrating the significance of these updates.

Public Awareness of IRA Provisions

Despite the IRA’s benefits, many remain unaware of its provisions. A recent KFF tracking poll shows only 35% of all registered voters and 52% of Medicare-age voters know about the IRA’s insulin cap. Only 14% of voters and 15% of older voters know that the IRA penalizes drug companies for excessive price increases.

Increasing Awareness and Future Reforms

As more IRA reforms are implemented, like the $2,000 out-of-pocket cap in Part D in 2025, more people are expected to become aware of the law’s improvements. Medicare Rights continues to urge Congress to further enhance these reforms to help people obtain high-quality care. If you need help with Medicare, contact Medicare Rights’ national helpline at 800-333-4114 or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).

Additional Resources

Read the ASPE report.

Read the KFF tracking poll.

Learn more about the IRA’s Medicare reforms.


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