The costs of pneumococcal vaccine and its administration became a covered benefit under Medicare Part B
On Jul. 1, 1981, as a result of the enactment of Public Law 96-611 passed by the U.S. Congress in December 1980, pneumococcal vaccination became a reimbursable service under the Medicare Program – the first preventive service paid by Medicare.
Pneumococcal vaccination thus became the first and to date the only preventive service paid by Medicare. With the exception of pneumococcal vaccine and its administration, the Social Security Act specifically excludes payment for preventive immunizations.
Since 1980, two other vaccines have been considered for Medicare coverage: hepatitis B vaccine for end-stage renal disease patients and influenza vaccine (January 1982)
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Source: Princeton University, Medicare Coverage of Pneumococcal Vaccine
Credit: PDF: Medicare Coverage of pneumococcal Vaccine, Princeton University. 1984.
