Payment-Free H1N1 Vaccinations - For You AND Your Family!!

[Mike Honcho]

Payment-Free H1N1 Vaccinations - For You AND Your Family!!

November 9, 2009  

Effective immediately, the health benefit plans for scheduled employees will cover the administration of the H1N1 vaccine for covered plan participants and dependents, with no co-pays, no deductibles and no coinsurance payments.

This will apply to employees in both the Managed Care (MMCP) and Comprehensive (CHCB) plans, and will continue through December 31, 2009. A decision as to whether or not this special coverage handling will be extended into 2010 will be made by the end of the year.

Here’s the rest of the information you need to know about this important vaccination program:

About the Vaccine
Vaccine for the highly contagious H1N1 virus (commonly called “swine flu”) is now being released to the public as supplies become available. The information below will help you decide if you should obtain the vaccine:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends that certain priority groups should receive the H1N1 flu vaccine. These groups are:
pregnant women
caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age
health care and emergency medical services personnel
children and young adults from 6 months through 24 years old
persons aged 25 through 64 years who have underlying health conditions -- such as asthma, diabetes, conditions that suppress the immune system, heart disease and kidney disease – that might increase their risk for flu-related complications

Where to Get the Vaccine
Employees and their dependents have a broad range of options from which to choose where to get the H1N1 flu vaccine:
Public Health Clinics: The H1N1 vaccine should be available at most local public health clinics at no cost. Please call the health clinic first to make sure it has the vaccine.
Retail Pharmacies and Other Clinics: Please call the pharmacy or other clinic first to make sure it has the H1N1 vaccine available.
Doctor's Office: Contact your primary care physician or network provider to find out if the H1N1 vaccine is available and if you should be immunized. Please note office visit co-pays will not apply if you see your doctor solely to obtain the H1N1 flu vaccine.

For More Information
For the latest information on the H1N1 flu vaccine, please visit the Centers for Disease Control website (CDC 2009 H1N1 Flu) and/or contact your benefit administrator:

Aetna – 1.800.842.4044 (Aetna - Health, Dental, Pharmacy, Group Life and Disability Insurance Benefits)
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield -1.866.267.3320 (www.highmarkbcbs.com)
UnitedHealthcare – 1.877.201.4840 (www.myuhc.com)

[TheOne]

FWIW ALL H1N1 shots are free for you AND your family...

But if you get one from your physician, you have to pay him for his time.

[creightonduke]

Thanks very helpful info...wish they did that with the regular flu-shot

[Mike Honcho]

If you have a safety committee make a suggestion to hold a health fair. We have a yearly health fair with free Flu shots, Cholesterol checks, Railroad retirement, Health Insurance reps and also food. It usually ends up being a good turnout. Even if you don't make it your wife and kids could go.

[Mike Honcho]

Originally Posted by TheOne

FWIW ALL H1N1 shots are free for you AND your family...

But if you get one from your physician, you have to pay him for his time.

See Above:

Please note office visit co-pays will not apply if you see your doctor solely to obtain the H1N1 flu vaccine.

[Hornblower]

Originally Posted by Mike Honcho

See Above:

Please note office visit co-pays will not apply if you see your doctor solely to obtain the H1N1 flu vaccine.

Honcho

I wonder why there is a co pay to get a regular flu shot?

I just got a bill for a $20 co pay from my doctor. I called Anthem yesterday about it and they told me the co pay was part of what was negoitiated by my union??? They paid $25 for the shot and I've got to pay $20. $45 total for the damn thing. It would have been cheaper to go to Kroger and get one for $25.

HB

[creightonduke]

Thats for the regular flu-shot, your co-pay is still required for that. The H1N1 vaccine is the only shot that is paid at 100 percent WITH NO COPAYS