According to CDC, more than 167 million Americans have received at least their first dose of the COVID vaccine. But some people are still hesitant to take the vaccination, whether because of hasty development and roll or fear. Another factor stopping people from taking the vaccine is the fact that it will impact health and life insurance coverage. Social media misinformation has spread the impression that any side effects of Covid vaccines won’t be covered by the current insurance policy one is having.
No one wants to receive a rejected claim or surprising medical bill, especially when they’re recovering from an illness. Suppose one plans to shop around for an affordable health insurance plan before open enrollment closes on May 15. In that case, one may be worried about how getting vaccinated against Covid may impact one’s opinion.
Before being approved for mass use, current vaccines are tested many times. CDC has said all vaccines currently are safe and effective, so the insurance provider won’t be the one to stand in the way of getting a shot. The only way one may be denied coverage if one gets sick before one policy clears the standard 15- to a 30-day waiting period.
Recently, a rumor circulating on social media that her life insurance provider told a woman that if she dies after receiving the vaccine, her family won’t receive the death benefits because the vaccine is experimental. The insurance company has denied the claims. Another post that became viral on Instagram is that one woman claims that her friends’ aunt died after vaccination, and her life insurance claim was denied. Both the post has been pulled from social media.
Whit Cornman, a spokesperson for the American Council of Life Insurers, shared in an email that life insurers do not consider whether a policyholder has received the vaccine when determining whether to pay out a claim. There are few occasions where life insurance companies can deny claims. The most common reasons involve the policyholder withholding relevant information on their applications or lying.