BCBSNC to Cover Swine Flu Vaccinations

In an effort to encourage members to receive the H1N1 “Swine” Flu vaccine, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC recently announced that it will waive deductibles and coinsurance payments for all fully insured customers who do not have immunization/preventive benefits and will cover at 100% all eligible charges for the administration of the H1N1 vaccine once it becomes available. Self-funded (ASO) groups that don’t have immunization/preventive benefits can choose to cover the cost of the H1N1 vaccine administration at 100% for employees and their dependents, but must contact BCBSNC to do so.

Once the H1N1 vaccine is available, BCBSNC members may also go to their physician, in-network pharmacist, or a CVS Minute Clinic to get a covered H1N1 vaccine. Members are advised to contact their provider to ensure availability of the vaccine. Please note: There is no current timeframe as to when the H1N1 vaccine will become available.

BCBSNC is coordinating efforts with federal and state authorities to ensure the widest possible administration of the vaccine. Based on its current analysis, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended the following population segments receive the vaccine:

• Pregnant women;
  
• Caregivers for children younger than six months of age;
  
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel;
  
• Children and young adults from six months through 24 years old; and
  
• Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have underlying health conditions that might increase their risk for flu-related complications.
  
  

Other population segments will be able to receive the vaccine, as it is made available.

H1N1 Worksite Clinics via Maxim
BCBSNC is working with Maxim Healthcare Services to offer worksite H1N1 flu vaccine clinics once the vaccine becomes available and priority groups are vaccinated. Once the CDC or NC Division of Public Health announces the general public may now be given the H1N1 vaccine, BCBSNC will contact groups via email in a similar fashion as the seasonal flu communication.

At Maxim clinics, the H1N1 vaccine will be free-of-cost to all members and $15 for non-members (ASO groups will pay $12 per member for the H1N1 vaccine). Please note: Maxim will not administer the vaccine to children under the age of 10 at any worksite clinic.

For more information about the H1N1 flu, BCBSNC has prepared multiple resources that members can access at www.bcbsnc.com/H1N1. Should you have any additional questions about coverage of the H1N1 vaccine, please contact our office at 919-403-1986.

Important Notice: Hill, Chesson & Woody does not engage in the practice of law, accounting, or medicine. Therefore, the contents of this communication should not be regarded as a substitute for legal, tax, or medical advice.

October 13, 2009

Hill, Chesson & Woody
Employee Benefit Services

194 Finley Golf Course Road, Suite 200,
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Phone: 919.403.1986
Fax: 919.869-2063

www.hcwbenefits.com