COVID-19 vaccination incentive for federal employees

OAKLAND, Calif. — Kaiser Permanente, the nation’s largest integrated, nonprofit health care provider, is encouraging Federal Employees Health Benefits plan members to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by adding a $50 vaccination reward to its existing rewards program starting August 15.

“Fighting COVID-19 has been a top priority at Kaiser Permanente since the start of the pandemic and vaccines are our most powerful tool to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities,” said Michelle Showalter, vice president, Federal Employee Health Benefits Program and Military Health Business Development. “This new incentive for federal employees is not only intended to increase vaccination rates, but also to protect and support our nation’s federal workforce and its families during this challenging time.”

This announcement supports the White House’s efforts to achieve national vaccination and comes weeks after President Joe Biden announced that federal workers will be required to sign forms saying they’ve been vaccinated against the coronavirus, and if they have not they will be required to adhere to new rules on masking, weekly testing, and distancing, among others.

Vaccinated FEHB plan members and enrolled spouses, age 18 and over, are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination reward offered by all Kaiser Permanente FEHB plans, except the FEHB plans in the state of Washington.

To receive the vaccination incentive, FEHB plan members must sign up for the program online beginning on August 15. The reward will apply to their Kaiser Permanente Health Payment Card once their Kaiser Permanente medical record reflects they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by December 31, 2021.

As with other reward programs, members can use their Kaiser Permanente Health Payment Card to pay for medical expenses, including copays, dental treatment, prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses, and other qualified medical costs.

Throughout the pandemic, Kaiser Permanente has engaged with its members, communities, labor partners, and fellow health care providers to communicate the most current and accurate information about COVID-19 and to encourage measures to prevent the coronavirus’s transmission. Getting vaccinated is the most effective way to slow the spread and prevent surges.

In June, Kaiser Permanente launched several programs and incentives to engage unvaccinated individuals as it joined the White House for its National Month of Action sprint to get 70% of Americans at least partially vaccinated by July 4. Additional efforts include supporting the Ad Council’s multicultural COVID-19 education campaign, and publishing the Kaiser Permanente COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Toolkit to highlight approaches to improve vaccine access and equity.

For additional information on the FEHB plan incentive, please visit kp.org/feds.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve approximately 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health.