
What to know about Medicare and Paxlovid coverage
Medicare beneficiaries can receive Paxlovid at no cost through February 28, 2025. Paxlovid has become a pivotal treatment for COVID-19, particularly for individuals at high risk of severe illness. It is an oral antiviral medication containing two agents: nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. Nirmatrelvir inhibits a key enzyme the coronavirus requires for replication. Ritonavir plays a supporting role by slowing the breakdown of nirmatrelvir, thereby enhancing its effectiveness.