Can providers send a bill in order to collect the vaccine administration fee after the date of service (for vaccines provided to non-Medicaid VFC-eligible children)?
There are no restrictions against sending a bill for the vaccine administration fee after the point of service. However, the provider cannot send the bill for the vaccine administration fee to collections if the parent cannot afford to pay (i.e., if the parent does not pay the bill). The provider can send the office visit fee or any other visit fee (e.g., labs) to collections if unpaid, but not the vaccine administration fee. The federal requirement restricts the provider from seeking payment if the parent cannot afford it. But this is not a restriction from sending a statement or bill after the point of service. If the parent cannot pay the administration fee for a VFC vaccine, the provider must waive it.
