Does Medicare cover it? A to Z
Does Medicare cover the pneumonia vaccine?
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Short answer
Covered: Part B
Yes, Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers pneumococcal vaccines, which protect against different strains of the bacteria that cause pneumonia.
With Medicare Part B, you pay nothing for a pneumococcal vaccine if your doctor or other health care provider accepts assignment for giving the vaccine.
Medicare Part B covers pneumococcal vaccines as a preventive service, and Medicare.gov says to talk with your doctor or other health care provider about which vaccines are right for you.
| Fact | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Which part covers it | Medicare Part B, as a preventive service | Medicare.gov |
| What the vaccines do | Protect against different strains of the bacteria that cause pneumonia | Medicare.gov |
| What you pay | Nothing, if your provider accepts assignment for giving the vaccine | Medicare.gov |
| Which vaccine to get | Talk with your doctor or other health care provider about which vaccines are right for you | Medicare.gov |
| Part D needed? | No: Part B covers pneumococcal vaccines | Medicare.gov |
| Medicare Advantage | Must give you at least the same coverage as Original Medicare | Medicare.gov |
What does Medicare cover for the pneumonia vaccine?
Medicare Part B covers pneumococcal vaccines as a preventive service. Pneumococcal vaccines protect against different strains of the bacteria that cause pneumonia. Medicare.gov lists pneumococcal vaccines with the COVID-19, flu and hepatitis B vaccines among the vaccines Part B covers.
Which pneumococcal vaccine should I get?
Medicare.gov says to talk with your doctor or other health care provider about which pneumococcal vaccines are right for you. Medicare.gov's pneumococcal vaccine page points to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for more on pneumococcal vaccination.
What do I pay for the pneumonia vaccine?
You pay nothing if your doctor or other health care provider accepts assignment for giving the vaccine. Assignment means your provider agrees to be paid directly by Medicare, to accept the payment amount Medicare approves, and not to bill you for more than the Medicare deductible and coinsurance.
Medicare.gov suggests asking your doctor or other health care provider how much a service will cost, because a doctor may recommend services that Medicare doesn't cover or offers too frequently. Specific amounts you could owe depend on:
- Other insurance you may have
- How much your doctor charges
- Whether your doctor accepts assignment
- The type of facility
- Where you get your test, item or service
Do I need Part D for the pneumonia vaccine?
No. Medicare Part B covers certain vaccines, like the COVID-19, flu, hepatitis B and pneumococcal vaccines. Medicare drug coverage (Part D) covers other vaccines, like the shingles, RSV and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccines. See Medicare coverage of the shingles vaccine.
Does Medicare Advantage or Medigap change this?
A Medicare Advantage Plan must give you at least the same coverage as Original Medicare, but the plan may have different rules. See how Medicare Advantage differs from Original Medicare.
A Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) plan helps cover your share of costs, like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles, for services Original Medicare covers. With Original Medicare, Medicare.gov lists no cost for a pneumococcal vaccine when your provider accepts assignment.
Good to know
More questions people ask
Is the pneumonia shot free with Medicare?
Is the pneumonia vaccine covered by Part B or Part D?
What does a pneumococcal vaccine protect against?
How do I know which pneumonia vaccine I need?
Related questions
- Medicare.gov: Pneumococcal vaccines
- Medicare.gov: Preventive and screening services
- Medicare.gov: How do drug plans work?
- Medicare.gov: What Part B covers
- Medicare.gov: Learn what Medigap covers
Figures are Medicare’s, set nationally, and were checked against these pages on October 2026. For your own situation, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048).
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This page was last updated: October 2026.