Senate Bill 278 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Influenza vaccination; to require private health insurance and the Alabama Medicaid program to pay or reimburse for influenza shots

Summary

SB278 would require private health plans and Alabama Medicaid to cover influenza vaccinations administered by licensed providers, effective August 1, 2026, while preserving individual and parental choice about vaccination.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, private health benefit plans would have to pay for the influenza vaccine and its administration when given by a licensed health care provider. The Alabama Medicaid Agency would pay for influenza vaccinations for eligible beneficiaries under the same coverage terms, and without extra requirements that would discourage access (such as cost-sharing or prior authorization). The bill also states that coverage applies regardless of where the vaccine is given and does not change other vaccine rules or parental consent rights.

Who It Affects

• Private health plan enrollees and their families, who would gain coverage for the influenza vaccine and its administration under their plans.
• Medicaid beneficiaries in Alabama, who would receive coverage for influenza vaccinations paid by Medicaid under the same terms as private plans.

Key Provisions

• Private health benefit plans must cover an influenza vaccine administered by a licensed health care provider, including the vaccine cost and administration fees; coverage may not be denied or restricted based on where the vaccine is administered and does not affect other vaccines or school immunization requirements; parental consent rights remain intact.
• The Alabama Medicaid Agency must pay for influenza vaccinations for Medicaid beneficiaries under the same terms described in Section 1, without additional requirements that would discourage access (such as cost-sharing, prior authorization, or site-of-service restrictions).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Insurance