In March 2021, AHIP fielded a survey to all member health insurance providers requesting information on their efforts to ensure widespread vaccine acceptance and equitable access to vaccines. AHIP received 42 responses from plans representing 110 million Americans enrolled in the commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid plans.
The survey predates COVID-19 vaccines being made available to all adults.
Key Insights
- Health insurance providers are taking multifaceted approaches to improve vaccine uptake and overcome the “vaccine wall.”
- In March 2021, the largest challenges were vaccine supply, hesitancy, and the need for more/better communication on vaccine supply/surplus for scheduling; where and when vaccine admin sites become available. Vaccine supplies are no longer a barrier.
- Use of multi-modalities of signing up (phone, online, outreach) is critical, and having a dedicated vaccine information website is extremely helpful.
- Working with a variety of partners is essential to success, including partners who can assist in delivery, coordination, or education.
- Health insurance providers need to work with volunteers, trusted clinicians, community members, educators, schedulers, call centers, data and analytics personnel, homebound teams.