4 Things to Know About the COVID Vaccine
It is a lot to understanding the body’s immune system. We can’t all be doctors, right? The talk of the 2021 year (so far) has been the coronavirus vaccine. Should you take it? Should you not take it? Is it safe? How much will it cost me? How and when can I receive it? There are so many questions to ask yourself, and as a Medicare beneficiary, these questions are very important. The following content in the blog in no way promotes or demotes the coronavirus vaccination. With anything health related, we always suggest speaking with your doctor on the best treatment options for you. We have listed four things you need to know about the COVID vaccines, and points to discuss with your doctor:
1. Under Medicare, there is no costs for the COVID vaccine.
As a Medicare beneficiary, you will not have to pay for a COVID-19 vaccine; this includes all FDA-approved vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen). Medicare will also cover all COVID-19 testing, including antibody testing and monoclonal antibody testing. If receiving the vaccine is something you are interested in, you will not have to pay a deductible or copayment and your doctor cannot charge you an administrative fee. If you are required to fill out a form that lists your employer’s coverage type or group/insurer number, be sure to put: N/A. Although you will not have to pay any costs, be sure you have your Medicare card with you, so your provider can bill Medicare.
2. In clinical trials, most symptoms appeared within 1-2 days of vaccination.
You may have spoken to your neighbor, a fellow church member, or a family member that has received the COVID-19 vaccination. Each one may have a different experience after receiving the shot. Some of the most common symptoms that appear after receiving the vaccine are:
- Pain, redness, and/or swelling in the arm you received your shot.
- Tiredness
- Muscle pain
- Fever
- Nausea
- Chills
- Headaches
In some instances, when you receive your second dose of the vaccine, symptoms can be more intense. Be sure to speak with your doctor on over-the-counter medications that are safe to take f you experience any of these symptoms.
3. Depending on which vaccine you receive, you must receive two vaccinations in order for it to work effectively.
The first line of that sentence is crucial: depending on which vaccine you receive. Some vaccines only require one dose to do the trick. However, some vaccines are requiring a second dose. This is very important to discuss with your doctor to make sure you are fully aware which steps are required to take if you choose to receive the vaccine.
4. You may be able to travel and do more once you receive the vaccine.
Besides protecting yourself from the COVID-19 disease, another variable that has people interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is the possibility of traveling, again or attending events and outings that were not advised before. It is recommended that you wait at least 14 days after your second dose of the vaccination before traveling again. It is still possibly to get the virus once fully vaccinated, so be sure that you speak with your doctor before deciding to travel or attend outings once more.
Something to be aware of:
During this time, it is crucial that you beware of Medicare scammers. Although most states have released the vaccine already, many scammers attempted to steal Medicare card numbers promising early access to the vaccine. Always be careful when providing your Medicare card information.