To Ohio’s COVID-19 Vaccine Providers,
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) announces a new funding opportunity for COVID-19 Vaccine Providers located in Ohio for reimbursement of costs of administering COVID-19 vaccines to individuals who are uninsured.
Prior to April 5, 2022, the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) accepted claims for COVID-19 vaccine administration reimbursement to providers who vaccinated uninsured individuals. The HRSA program stopped accepting claims on April 5 due to a lack of sufficient funds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program requires providers to continue to administer COVID-19 vaccines at no out-of-pocket cost to recipients. Providers cannot deny anyone vaccination based on insurance coverage status or network status, cannot charge an office visit or other fee if COVID-19 vaccination is the only service provided, and cannot require additional medical services to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. As a result, some providers may be negatively impacted without reimbursement for these costs.
ODH is responding to this important need for providers to receive reimbursement so they can continue providing COVID-19 vaccines. Ohio COVID-19 Vaccine Providers who previously received reimbursement for vaccine administration through the HRSA COVID-19 Uninsured Program may apply for funding. Applicants shall not seek reimbursement through any other source for vaccines administered with this funding. ODH is forecasting the funding opportunity will be opened for application on June 29, 2022. The opportunity will be posted to the Ohio Department of Health website, and a preview of the Uninsured COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Reimbursement Application is enclosed.
The total funding available through ODH will be $1.7 million, which will be available through June 30, 2023, or until the available funds are exhausted. Funding will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Vaccine providers will receive the money up front based on the provider’s estimated number of vaccinations of uninsured individuals from the date of award through June 30, 2023. Providers will have the option for payment by electronic fund transfer or by check. Providers will be required as part of the agreement to submit quarterly reports with total number of vaccinations of uninsured individuals to be reviewed and validated by ODH. Providers will be required to return any funding received in excess of the actual vaccines administered.
After reviewing the funding application enclosed, please submit any questions regarding this funding opportunity to ODH by email at Procurement@odh.ohio.gov. Thank you for your ongoing efforts to protect Ohioans from COVID-19 through vaccination.
Sincerely,
The Ohio Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Relations Team
For information about COVID-19:
coronavirus.ohio.gov
1-833-4-ASK-ODH