How Does Your Medicare Deductible Affect Your Vaccine Costs
The deductible amount of your Medicare plan affects how much you pay out of pocket before your insurer starts contributing to the cost of your prescription drugs. Depending on how many medications you take, the deductible could affect how much you spend on the vaccine. Let’s compare how much you’d pay for the shingles vaccine on two plans with different deductibles.
Scenario: Shingrix is the only medication needed during the policy
| AARP MedicareRx Walgreens | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cost of two doses of Shingrix vaccine | $160 each for a total of $320 because the deductible hasn’t been met | $45 copay each for a total of $90 |
| Total annual cost of premiums and shingles vaccine | $788 | $1,122 |
In the example above, the AARP MedicareRx Walgreens prescription drug plan has a $455 deductible for Tier 3 drugs like the shingles vaccine. That means if you haven’t already met your deductible, you would pay full price for the vaccine, which would be $320 for two doses. The plan costs $38.60 per month for someone living in Charlotte. If the shingles vaccine is the only Tier 3, 4, or 5 drug needed during the policy year, your total annual spending would be $788.
In this situation, the person with the MedicareRx Walgreens plan pays less overall, even though they’re paying full price for the shingles vaccine.
Where Can I Get Vaccines I Need
You can get most vaccines at a pharmacy, doctors office, clinic or community health center. Talk with your doctor about what vaccines you may need. Your doctor or Part D plan provider can also help you understand whether your cost will be affected by where you go to get the vaccines that your doctor recommends.
How Pneumococcal Vaccines Work
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a kind of bacteria that causes pneumococcal disease. Besides pneumonia, this bacteria may also cause other serious diseases that include meningitis and bacteremia, according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. All of these diseases have been associated with high fatality rates, particularly in vulnerable populations. The bacteria can spread through respiratory droplets .
The CDC says that there are currently two vaccines that have been approved for use to help you develop an immunity to this bacteria:
- Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination PPSV23: This vaccine is commonly suggested for adults over 65 or with certain risk factors.
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccination PCV13:This vaccine is recommended for adults who are over 65.
In some cases, the CDC recommends a second dose of PPSV23, but at least five years should elapse between doses. Also, both vaccines may be recommended for certain adults with risk factors for developing one of the diseases.
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Which Medicare Providers Cover The Shingles Vaccine
Even though all insurance plans for Medicare Plan D offer some level of coverage for the shingles vaccine, the typical cost for the vaccine will vary. Your actual cost will depend on your plan details and if you’ve already met your deductible.
| Company | |
|---|---|
| WellCare Medicare | $28-$47 |
Typical costs based on available plans in Charlotte, NC , Boston, MA , and Los Angeles, CA
Most Medicare Advantage Plans And Part D Plans Cover Prescription Drugs
Medicare Advantage plans that offer prescription drug coverage are called Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans . Most Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are enrolled in MA-PDs.1
Medicare Part D prescription drug plans also cover retail prescription drugs.
You can compare Part D prescription drug plans available where you live and enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan online when you visit MyRxPlans.com.
Medicare prescription drugs plans each have their own formulary, or drug list, that details what prescription drugs are covered by the plan and how they are covered.
Some Medicare Advantage plans also include benefits such as routine dental, hearing and vision coverage.
A licensed insurance agent can help you learn more about Medicare Advantage plans that are available where you live, including the benefits they offer. $0 premium plans may be available in your area.
1 Jacobson, Gretchen et al. A Dozen Facts About Medicare Advantage. . Kaiser Family Foundation. Retrieved from www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/a-dozen-facts-about-medicare-advantage.
MedicareAdvantage.com is a website owned and operated by TZ Insurance Solutions LLC. TZ Insurance Solutions LLC and TruBridge, Inc. represent Medicare Advantage Organizations and Prescription Drug Plans having Medicare contracts enrollment in any plan depends upon contract renewal.
Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.
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Does Medicare Cover The Shingles Vaccine
All Medicare prescription drug plans offer some level of coverage for the shingles vaccine. You will find this coverage under your Medicare Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan.
The amount you pay will vary based on your policy details and your deductible amount. For some enrollees, the shingles vaccine could be free, but others may pay full price if a deductible must be met before the cost-sharing benefits begin.
The shingles vaccine is not covered by Original Medicare . However, Medicare Part B may cover a doctor’s visit to get a prescription for the shingles vaccine.
Most Medigap plans, also called Medicare supplement plans, don’t cover the shingles vaccine because they don’t include prescription drug coverage.
| Medicare plan | |
|---|---|
| May cover the doctor’s visit to get a prescription for the vaccine | |
| Part C | Yes, because most of these bundled plans include drug coverage. |
| Part D | Yes |
| Medicare supplement | No |
Medicare Part B: Vaccine Coverage
Medicare Part B provides preventive coverage only for certain vaccines. These include:
- Influenza: once per flu season
- Pneumococcal:
- Hepatitis B: for persons at intermediate- to high-risk
Administration services for these preventive vaccines are reported to Medicare using HCPCS codes as follows:
- G0008 administration of influenza virus vaccine
- G0009 administration of pneumococcal vaccine
- G0010 administration of Hepatitis B vaccine
The diagnosis code to report with these preventive vaccines is:
- Z23 Encounter for immunization
Other immunizations are covered under Medicare Part B only if they are directly related to the treatment of an injury or direct exposure Coverage of other vaccines provided as a preventive service may be covered under a patient’s Part D coverage.
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Flu And Pneumonia Shots
Having the flu can be dangerous for anyone. But it is extra risky for people with diabetes or other chronic health problems. Having diabetes means having more instances of high blood sugar than a person without diabetes. High blood sugar hinders your white blood cells ability to fight infections.
Beyond people living with diabetes, flu is also extra risky for people with heart disease, smokers and those with chronic lung disease, people who have an impaired immune system , very young children, and people living in very close quarters, such as college dorms, military barracks, or nursing homes.
How To Learn More About Medicare Coverage For Pneumonia Vaccines And Other Preventative Services
Would you like more information about Medicare coverage for the pneumonia vaccine or other preventative services? Im here to help you:
- To communicate with me by phone or email, use one of the options below.
- Use the Compare Plans Now button on this page to get more information about Medicare insurance in your local area.
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Does Medicare Cover Shingles Vaccine
Original Medicare doesnt cover shingles vaccines, but that doesnt necessarily mean youll have to pay for it out-of-pocket. The shingles vaccine is required to be one of the vaccines covered by Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans.
In fact, most vaccines are covered under your prescriptionplan, rather than by Original Medicare. You should check with your specificplan for information such as what your costs will be, which vaccines you canreceive, and where you can go to receive them. Like Original Medicare, some vaccinescovered by Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans may have eligibilityrestrictions, so be sure to ask your healthcare provider if you qualify.
Being properly vaccinated helps prevent you from catchingavoidable illnesses, and from spreading them to the people around you. Medicarevaccine coverage makes it easy and affordable to stay up to date with yourshots, so you have one less thing to worry about when it comes to your health. Ifyou have questions about eligibility, costs, or whether you should get avaccine, you should consult with your healthcare provider.
Nothing on this website should ever be used as a substitutefor professional medical advice. You should always consult with your medicalprovider regarding diagnosis or treatment for a health condition, includingdecisions about the correct medication for your condition, as well as prior toundertaking any specific exercise or dietary routine.
Does Medicare Cover The Hepatitis B Vaccine
Medicare Part B and Medicare Advantage plans will cover injection of the Hepatitis B vaccine if you are considered at medium or high risk for Hepatitis B.
You may have an increased risk if:
- You have hemophilia
- You live with another person who has Hepatitis B
- You work in health care and have frequent contact with blood and other bodily fluids
Your doctor can help you determine if youre at increased risk for contracting Hepatitis B.
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How Can You Save On The Cost Of The Shingles Vaccine
These five tips can help you to pay less for a shingles vaccine.
Who Should Get Pneumococcal Vaccines
CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for all children younger than 2 years old and all adults 65 years or older. In certain situations, older children and other adults should also get pneumococcal vaccines. Below is more information about who should and should not get each type of pneumococcal vaccine.
Talk to your or your childs doctor about what is best for your specific situation.
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Which Vaccines Should Older Adults Get And When
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has established a vaccination schedule for adults over 65. Other factors such as medical conditions and your history may affect these recommendations. Check with your doctor about which vaccines youll need.
A typical vaccine schedule for older adults breaks down like this:
Shingles vaccine: The CDC recommends you get two doses of the shingles vaccine Shingrix, 2 to 6 months apart. If you received a different shingles vaccine called Zostavax in the past, you still need the Shingrix vaccine. Zostavax is no longer in use in the United States.
Pneumococcal vaccine: The CDC recommends a single shot of the pneumonia vaccine to those who need it. People with certain chronic medical conditions, such as chronic heart or lung disease, may need one or two additional shots.
Flu vaccine: The flu shot is usually available in early fall, before flu season starts. Every year adults 65 and older should get the flu shot, not a nasal spray vaccine. The CDC also recommends older adults receive the high-dose quadrivalent flu vaccine.
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis : The CDC recommends adults 65 and older should receive the Tdap vaccine if theyve never had it before, followed by a booster every 10 years. If you need the shot as part of wound management , one dose is recommended.
If youre over 65 and have additional risk factors, you may also need these vaccines:
-
Hepatitis A
-
Meningococcal A, C, W, Y
-
Varicella
Does Medicare Cover Prevnar 13
Most vaccines required for preventive care are covered under Medicare Part D. Part D is optional prescription drug coverage that you may purchase from a private insurance company.
The two pneumonia vaccines, Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23, are covered instead by Medicare Part B. Flu shots are also covered by Part B.
Part B covers preventive care and medically necessary services you receive as an outpatient. Together Medicare Part A and Part B make up what is known as original Medicare.
To get full coverage for Prevnar 13, or any vaccine, youll have to go to a Medicare-approved provider. This may be a doctor, pharmacist, or other Medicare-approved professional. You can look up and compare Medicare-approved doctors and hospitals here.
Like Part D, Medicare Part C plans are purchased from private insurance providers. Part C plans must cover at least as much as original Medicare does. If you have a Part C plan, itll cover Prevnar 13 as long as you receive it from an in-network provider.
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Is The Shingles Shot Covered By Medicare
Original Medicare does not pay for the shingles vaccine. However, if youre enrolled in a Medicare prescription drug plan or have a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage, your shot may be covered. For vaccines covered under Part D , it is not recommended to get the shot through your providers office, as you may have issues with Part D billing.*
Do I Need The Shingles Vaccine And How Much Does It Cost
The CDC recommends adults 50 years and older should get two doses of the shingles vaccine. Shingles is a viral infection that can cause several symptoms, including:
-
Nerve pain
-
Pneumonia
-
Other serious symptoms
Two doses of Shingrix will protect you against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia , the most common shingles complication. PHN affects your nerve fibers and skin, leading to burning pain that persists after other symptoms of shingles, such as the rash and blisters, have gone away.
Studies suggest Shingrix was between 91% and 97% effective in preventing shingles after two shots, depending on your age. Since your risk of acquiring shingles and PHN increases as you get older, strong protection against shingles after 50 is important.
Most Medicare Part D cover the shingles shots, as well as Medicare Advantage plans with built-in Part D coverage. Depending on your plan, you may have to pay toward your deductible, a copay, or pay out-of-pocket and get reimbursed later.
If you havent met your plans deductible for the year, youll have to pay full price for the vaccines. If you have to pay upfront, the average retail cost of is about $200 per dose. You need two doses of Shingrix, 2 to 6 months apart.
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Indications For Tdap Vaccination
In addition to the standalone tetanus shot, it is also recommended that you get at least one Tdap booster as an adult, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis . It is also recommended during the third trimester of pregnancy.
However, the Tdap vaccine is currently not covered under the Part B benefit and may or may not be covered by your Medicare Advantage plan or Part D plan. Check your plan’s formulary.
Do I Have To Pay For Vaccines With Medicare
You pay nothing for vaccines covered by Part B flu, pneumonia and Hepatitis B as long as your provider accepts Medicare.
Your cost for vaccines covered by Part D will depend on your specific plan. You may pay a copay or coinsurance, but it will depend on your plan and the provider.
The location where you get vaccinated may also affect your cost. For example, your costs may be lower if you get a vaccine at a pharmacy versus in a doctors office.
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Who Should Get A Pneumonia Shot
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends pneumonia vaccines for children younger than 2 years old and adults 65 years and older. Between the ages of 2 to 65 years, the pneumonia vaccine is only recommended for individuals that are at a higher risk due to certain medical conditions that lower their immune systems.
Pneumonia vaccines are best for high-risk groups such as people over the age of 65, smokers, and people with lung disease like COPD and asthma, says Amy Deviney, family nurse practitioner in Denver, CO. There are two vaccinations that should be given a year apart to protect from several different strains of pneumonia. Prevnar 13 given first and then Pneumovax 23 given a year later.
There are some individuals ages 65 years and older who should NOT get the vaccine according to the CDC:
- Any individual who has had a life-threatening or severe allergic reaction to Prevnar 13, Pneumovax 23, an earlier pneumonia vaccine labeled PCV7 , or a vaccine with diphtheria toxoid .
- Any individual who is not feeling well the day of the vaccine. You can reschedule your appointment for when you feel better.