NJ pressures insurers to continue covering COVID vaccines
By: Scott Fallon
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... Insurance companies should continue to cover the entire cost of a COVId-19 vaccine regardless of whether a person is eligible to receive one under new federal guidelines that Governor Phil Murphy's administration is challenging, state officials said on September 11. [2025]
.....
Without insurance, a COVID vaccine at CVS would cost $225 to $250 out of pocket, according to the pharmacy's website.
..... The bulletin sent by the state Department of Banking and Insurance "strongly encourages" carriers to continue their standard coverage for everyone even those the federal Food and drug Administration under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. limited COVID vaccine eligibility to those with at least one underlying condition or to anyone over 65 years old.
..... New Jersey and other states have challenged those restrictions, saying they pose a threat to public health as respiratory illness season is set to begin. New Jersey acting Health Commissioner Jeffrey Brown signed an order on September 8 [2025] recommending all New Jerseyans age 6 months or older receive the vaccine regardless of their health status.
..... The administration "expects that carries will continue to cover the vaccine for New Jersey residents without cost sharing and is strongly encouraging carries do so without imposing additional barriers," Justin Zimmerman commissioner of the state Department of Banking and insurance said in a statement.
..... An executive at New Jersey's largest medical insurer - Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield -s aid the company is reviewing its COVID-19 vaccine policy in light of the recent FDA recommendations.
..... "Our vaccine coverage decisions will also be guided by evidence-based recommendations from expert organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, to name a few," Dr. Joshua Aridise, chief medical officer of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, said in a statement.