NY| Insurance Circular Letter No. 5 (2025) from the New York Department of Financial Services reminds all insurers authorized to write accident and health insurance in New York of their continued obligation to cover immunizations and their administration for both children and adults at no cost-sharing, in line with state law and current recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The letter reaffirms that COVID-19 immunizations for children through age 18 must continue to be covered regardless of future changes to ACIP recommendations and strongly encourages issuers—whether acting as insurers or plan administrators—to maintain comprehensive, no-cost immunization benefits.
Key Points:
- Health insurers in New York must provide no-cost coverage of all ACIP-recommended immunizations, including COVID-19 vaccines for children through age 18, and cover administration fees and related office visits without cost-sharing.
- The Department encourages continued coverage of recommended immunizations even if recommendations change and extends this policy guidance to issuer-administered self-funded plans, although it does not apply to Medicaid managed care, Child Health Plus, or Essential Plan coverage.
