Medicare Part D covers most vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while Part B covers a few specific vaccines. In most cases, you should not have to pay a cost.

Vaccines can help prevent illness and injury, which is why Medicare often covers their cost. In fact, Medicare covers the costs of several vaccines and their administration, including those for the flu, hepatitis B, and pneumonia.

Keep reading to find out which parts of Medicare cover these vaccines and whether you’re up to date on the vaccines you need.

Vaccines are important for preventing illness and keeping you well. Because vaccines may get less effective over the years, you may need to talk with your doctor about how frequently you should get certain ones.

And it’s always a good idea to know how Medicare may pay for your vaccine before you get it.

Sometimes, Medicare may have certain rules. For example, you might need to get the vaccine from a certain company or at a Medicare-approved facility.

What Medicare parts cover vaccines?

As of January 1, 2023, a new prescription drug law has allowed your Medicare Part D drug plan to cover most vaccines without any cost to you. Part D is the portion of Medicare that pays for prescription drugs.

This includes all adult vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Examples include:

That said, some vaccines are still covered under Part B, the portion of Original Medicare that pays for most medical costs. These are:

Under Part D, all commercially available vaccines are covered when deemed necessary to prevent illness, except those already included under Part B.

Newly approved vaccines may not be immediately added to the formulary of a Part D plan. (A formulary is a list of covered medications.) In these cases, your doctor can request coverage for the vaccine through the formulary exception process.

With Medicare Part D, you won’t have any out-of-pocket costs for a covered vaccine, even if you get the shot from an out-of-network healthcare professional That said, with some out-of-network professionals, you may need to pay up-front and then apply for a Part D reimbursement.

Similarly, while Part B does have an associated deductible and coinsurance, these do not apply to vaccines. And Medicare Advantage (Part C) is required to offer the same coverage as Original Medicare, which includes part B.

But you should check with your insurance plan, as the costs may vary. For example, you may need to get your vaccine from a plan-approved provider or pharmacy. Also, not all Advantage plans include Part D.

Learn more: “Medicare Costs in 2024“

Are you up to date on your vaccines?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) makes recommendations based on age for immunizations. Read this list to make sure you’re up to date.

Here are vaccines recommended for people ages 65 or over or those who haven’t had a past infection:

  • Influenza vaccine: one dose every year
  • Tdap booster: every 10 years or an initial dose if you haven’t ever had the vaccine
  • Zoster (shingles) vaccine: either live or recombinant (preferred) vaccine
  • Pneumococcal vaccine: one dose at age 65 years

The CDC recommends the following vaccines if you have a risk factor for the condition or other indication that a doctor may suggest. These include:

  • Varicella: two doses if you didn’t receive immunization before age 65 years
  • Hepatitis A: two or three doses, depending on the vaccine type
  • Hepatitis B: two or three doses, depending on the vaccine type
  • Meningococcal A, C, W, Y: one or two doses; may require boosters
  • Meningococcal B: two to three doses; may require boosters
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b: one to three doses as a doctor recommends

Vaccines can help keep you well by preventing many illnesses that could cause severe symptoms without vaccination. Medicare Part B covers the cost of several vaccines, and Medicare Part D often covers the others.

Call your plan to make sure you’re getting your vaccine from an approved healthcare professional or facility; this can help keep your costs to a minimum.