It’s flu season!
This time of year, we get a lot of questions on the best ways to get annual flu shots. Here is some information you may want to share with your employer groups and their insureds.
There are numerous access points to obtain annual flu vaccinations. Choosing the most appropriate location will depend on each individual’s need for convenience and cost.
- Your physician’s office – Some physicians’ offices will allow you to walk in without an appointment and get your flu shot. Some offices also schedule flu clinics either with or without an appointment. In these cases where you don’t see your physician, you may only get charged for the cost of the vaccination and an administration fee. Call your physician’s office to find out the most convenient and cost effective way they offer this service. If you schedule an appointment AND see your physician, you will be charged for an office visit, the vaccination itself and an administration fee. Vaccinations provided in the physician’s office will be processed under your medical benefits.
- Your local Health Department – Call first as some Health Departments only provide vaccinations to those without insurance.
- Walk-in Clinics – Currently Dillon’s Little Clinics and Walgreens Take Care Clinics provide flu vaccinations without an appointment. Both of these clinics are now in-network effective 11/1/2015. Your cost may include the cost of the vaccination and an administration fee. Vaccinations obtained through these clinics will be processed under your medical benefits.
- Pharmacies – Many pharmacies administer flu vaccinations and without appointments. Vaccinations obtained through the pharmacy will be processed under your prescription drug benefits but be sure and check coverage under your Prescription Drug plan first.
- Onsite flu clinics – Many employers may arrange for a pharmacy to come onsite and administer the flu vaccination to employees and dependents. This saves the employees time as they don’t have to leave work and it can save the plan money because they can vaccinate many individuals in one location.
Except for the doctor’s office visit charge when appropriate, there is no out-of-pocket expense for flu shots with most insurance plans. Please check your plan document and summary plan description for actual benefits and limitations. You may also want to visit the Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/whoshouldvax.htm to determine who should and shouldn’t get flu vaccinations.
All of us at ProviDRs Care hope you have a very healthy flu season!
(If providing this as a resource to your clients, you may want to include specific benefit information.)