The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has announced it will purchase 60,000 doses of the COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment bebtelovimab to provide no-cost access for the uninsured and underinsured.
Bebtelovimab was previously available at no cost through federal programs, but it transitioned to the commercial market with insurers, providers, and patients responsible for the costs. Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial plans cover bebtelovimab, but individuals without insurance or those who are underinsured no longer receive federal coverage for the drug.
HHS will resupply the drug at no cost to providers that use it to treat patients who lack adequate health coverage. Providers can use their typical metrics to assess uninsurance or underinsurance. HHS projects that the supply of 60,000 doses will last through September 2023.