August 15, 2019
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, adult vaccination rates in the U.S. are extremely low. Each year, thousands of adults suffer illness, are hospitalized, and even die from vaccine-preventable diseases.
"Each vaccine is an opportunity to prevent severe disease, illness, and injury. The vaccines that we have today prevent hearing loss, brain damage, and cancer," said Dr. Neil Kaneshiro, a medical director for Premera.
Most of Premera’s health care plans cover shots to prevent everything from the flu to measles at generally no cost and members can get covered immunizations from any in-network pharmacy that offers them.
Vaccinations covered as preventive benefits
- Chicken pox (Varicella)
- Flu (influenza)
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- HPV (Human papillomavirus)
- Meningitis (meningococcal)
- MMR (Measles, mumps, rubella)
- Pneumonia (pneumococcal)
- Shingles (Herpes zoster)
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)
We encourage our Premera Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Plan members to work with providers and our customer service team to understand the coverage for vaccines. This helps patients avoid unexpected bills for vaccines given in the provider office. If your patient needs help finding a pharmacy offering vaccine services, direct them to Premera Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Customer Service at 888-850-8526.
For more information, watch Dr. Kaneshiro discuss the importance of vaccines on NewDay Northwest and learn more about what is covered in preventive benefits.