In this case I mean it literally.
Every year before I go to Florida I see my internist for my annual physical. While there I requested the doctor give me the vaccine to prevent shingles. He told me that I probably would have to pay for it out of my own pocket. I knew that shot could cost anywhere from $155.00 to well over $200.00. No problem.
The reason I was so gunho about getting the shot was that a friend of mine had the shingles last year and had a very difficult time, she was hospitalized and then had to spend some time in a rehabilitation center. She has not been the same since!
Sure enough, I recently received a bill for $155.00 for the Zoster vaccine. Medicare - non covered charges, Blue Cross -non covered charges. Before I pay this bill I want to make sure that I am responsible for payment.
One afternoon I allowed time to make phone calls to Blue Cross and Medicare. I got through to Blue Cross quickly - no, I'm not covered, but when I called Medicare it was a different story, waiting time - twenty minutes, ok, I had a book in one hand and the phone in the other hand, no I'm not covered. The person I spoke with suggested I call Blue Cross back and ask for "an exception."
I did that, "no exception."
One reason I kept at it was I have a friend who got the shot last year and she did not to have pay, so Millie was not going to give up the ship.
The next step was to call my medicine provider. "no, not covered." The person I spoke with was very knowledgeable, helpful and understanding. According to her, the United States government passed a bill last year stating that Medicare would cover the cost of the vaccine for people 60 and over. She also told me that a few months ago the AARP magazine had an article that stated that Medicare would pick up the cost of the vaccine.
What's happening now reminds me of what I went though with my computer - When I spoke with the computer repair person he said it was a Comcast problem and when I spoke with Comcast they said it was a computer problem.
Next week when I have no place to rush off to, I'll get on the phone with Medicare and see how they response to my new information.
From what I have been reading less than 2 percent have gotten the vaccine against shingles, a painful skin rash that strikes 1 million a year.
Have you had the vaccine and if so, did your insurance cover the cost?
More info:
Shingles vaccine a $150 puncture.
Are shingles vaccine shots covered by medicare?
Does Medicare cover the shingles vaccine?
October 10, 2007 8:48 AMUPDATE:
You may want to check with Medicare about this. I found this info on the web:
For patients over 65, Medicare will begin paying for the shingles vaccine in January, 2007 - but not the way it pays for the most widely used adult inoculations, flu shots, which are fully covered. Instead, the shingles vaccine will be treated like a prescription drug, with varying co-pays depending on a patient's drug plan.
Does Medicare cover vaccines and immunizations?
If you have a Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D), you may be able to get coverage for other types of vaccines, such as the vaccine for shingles (herpes zoster). As of 2008, any commercially-available vaccine that is not covered by Part B should be covered by your Medicare prescription drug plan. Your Part D plan will pay for the vaccination itself and for your doctor to give you the shot (administration). However, you will need to make sure you follow your particular plan’s rules in order for the vaccine to be covered.