California’s Largest Insurers Will Waive Out-of-Pocket Fees for H1N1 Vaccine
November 10, 2009 – In October, California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and officials from the Department of Managed Health Care and the Department of Public Health teamed up to draft a letter to inform every health insurance company that offers coverage to California in order to acquaint these companies with California’s goals for the administration of the H1N1 flu virus vaccine. In face of concerns about the contagiousness of this strain of flu, and the danger it can pose to at-risk populations, Poizner and others felt it was vital that the cost of the vaccine not be a deterrent.
This letter apparently produced the desired effect. California’s six largest health insurers, the companies Aetna, Anthem/Blue Cross, Blue Shield, CIGNA, HealthNet and United HeathCare/Pacificare have all chosen to waive co-pays and deductibles on the H1N1 vaccine for their members. This will eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for those covered by these companies.
Poizner reminded members that they should pay attention to communications from their insurers to make sure they know exactly what needs to be done to receive the waiving of that fee. He also urged people covered under these plans, especially those most at risk, to take advantage of the reduced cost to make sure they get the vaccine. At risk groups include pregnant women, people who care for children younger than 6 months of age, persons between 6 months and 24 years old, and people between 25 and 64 years who have a higher-than-usual risk of infection or complications.
|