For older adults and people with underlying conditions, COVID-19 isn’t just another virus, it’s a serious risk. Antiviral treatments can reduce the likelihood of hospitalization and death by up to 90%. But these medications work best when taken within the first few days of symptoms.
For people at higher risk – whether from heart disease, diabetes, COPD and even their age – every delay increases the odds of severe illness or hospitalization. These are not just numbers. They represent grandparents caring for grandkids, veterans managing multiple health conditions, and caregivers trying to protect loved ones.
During the pandemic, antivirals were free or low-cost for most eligible patients. Now, as cost-sharing and insurance rules shift, the path to access those same medicines is becoming harder to navigate. Research shows that even small out-of-pocket costs can stop people from filling prescriptions. For the millions of Medicare Part D enrollees expected to reach the $2,000 annual spending cap in 2025, the financial burden could be significant.
Unfortunately, too many people still struggle to get timely access to treatment. Confusion about potential coverage, rising co-pays, and new eligibility requirements can delay care, sometimes long enough to make treatment less effective. When the system makes it hard to get timely care, we’re putting vulnerable individuals at risk.
When the process becomes complicated, the result is predictable: fewer people start treatment, and more end up facing serious—and costly—illness.
The fix is simple: Keep antivirals affordable – particularly for those at high-risk, support provider and patient education, and make testing and coverage clear. Policymakers can help ensure that cost and confusion never stand between someone and the care that could save their life.
Because when treatment needs to start fast, every day counts.
KFF (July 2025), Key Facts About Part D Enrollment, Premiums and Cost Sharing
