INGHAM COUNTY— Beginning on April 5, the Ingham County Health Department will start collecting health insurance information from people who possess coverage during their previously scheduled vaccination appointments. Regardless, there is no out-of-pocket expense for getting the vaccine, even if someone does not possess health insurance.

The federal government is covering all costs related to vaccine distribution and issuance; as such, the vaccine is free to all people currently residing in the U.S., including those who do not possess health insurance.  Vaccine providers are permitted to seek reimbursement for vaccine distribution from common insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid and private health insurance providers.

“Mass vaccination has been a major undertaking for our health department, but we have operationalized the process and it runs very smoothly,” Ingham County Health Officer Linda S. Vail said. “We now have the capacity to start billing insurance. I assure people there will never be a cost to the person getting vaccinated. Cost and insurance should never create a barrier to getting vaccinated.”

Currently, the county health department is overseeing mass vaccination efforts at the MSU pavilion, the Dwight Rich School of the Arts and the Ingham County Fairgrounds.

Beginning on April 5, all residents in Michigan who are 16 and over will be able to register for a COVID-19 vaccination appointment. Residents looking to get a vaccine in Ingham County can register here.