Costs can vary with flu shots

Sept. 26--As Americans begin rolling up their sleeves for flu vaccinations, some may also consider another pain: Are the costs of the shots covered?

If you're a Tennessee Valley resident and planning for you and your children to be vaccinated at a county medical clinic, fear only the slight prick of the needle. The shots are free, but clinics may charge an administration fee.

All health plans are required under the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, to cover ACIP-recommended vaccines for adults and children of all ages, without charging a deductible, copayment or coinsurance. These vaccines, to include a seasonal flu vaccine, will be provided at no cost as long as they are administered by an "in-network" provider.

But Blake Gowen, co-owner of Payless Pharmacy on Medical Drive Southeast in Decatur, said it's best to verify your vaccination coverage through your insurance plan.

While you already can have vaccinations at many pharmacies and physicians' offices, those wanting to take advantage of flu shots through their county clinics will have to wait. The state hasn't received the vaccines.

"We prebook our flu vaccines each March for the upcoming flu season," said Denise Strickland, of the Alabama Department of Public Health. "We expect to get them sometimes during the first of October."

Strickland said there is not a shortage, only a "slight" delay.

"I don't know why the delay, but this isn't abnormal," she said. "Most of the time, flu vaccines come in at the end of September or the first of October. We got our vaccine last year a little early -- the first part of September -- and we were able to get them out to the counties earlier."

Strickland said nothing new will be added to the vaccine this year, meaning it will cover the four flu strains delivered last year.

Strickland said while there is no cost to the counties for the vaccine, each county can charge whatever administration fee they wish. Morgan and Lawrence counties charge fees of $5 each for the shot. Limestone County charges $2. Shots in Madison County are free.

Children as young as 6 months are eligible to receive the shots.

Keith Roberts, manager of CVS Health in Decatur, said his pharmacy issues flu shots starting at age 9.

"There is no charge for people on Medicare (A and B), and we will file for Medicaid and any other personal health insurance," he said. "Some may have co-pays. We tell the customer how much it is before we administer the shot."

For cash customers, the pharmacy charges $31.99 for the trivalent flu shot, which covers three strains.

Jennifer McGee, a pharmacist at Payless Pharmacy on Danville Road Southwest, said she hopes to begin giving flu shots next week.

"We have the vaccine in stock, but we haven't got our paperwork updated and our other supplies in," she said.

Her pharmacy, like the Payless Pharmacy on Medical Drive Southeast, which began giving shots this week, offers flu shots to anyone under 18 only with a prescription. The trivalent shot for cash customers is $20. The Payless Pharmacy on West Moulton Street doesn't give immunizations.

Ben Moultrie, owner of Trinity Discount Drugs, gives flu shots starting at age 4. For those not covered by insurance, the shots are $25 for the trivalent vaccine, $30 for the quadrivalent.

Sumana Reddy, manager of Dr. Punuru J. Reddy's office on U.S. 31 South, said flu shots for their patients start Wednesday.

"Most insurances should cover the cost, and otherwise we charge $20 for the trivalent," she said.

Pam Hardin, a nurse at Gill Family Medicine on Danville Road Southwest, said patients should begin receiving flu shots between the first and middle of October. For those without insurance, the cost of the trivalent vaccine is $33.66.

Strickland said regardless of where residents get their flu shots, they should mark their calendars now.

"There's a lot of people in our state who don't take advantage of them, and I don't understand that," she said. "I don't understand why they wouldn't want to protect themselves from getting the flu."

Ronnie Thomas can be reached at 256-340-2438 or [email protected]. Follow on Twitter@DD_RonnieThomas.

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