The High Costs of Skipping Your Flu Shot

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Wellness Wise

Skipping Your Flu Shot Can Be Costly

The Houston Chronicle and Federal Practitioner, a publication designed for medical professionals, recently reported on a study from Health Affairs which looked at the high costs of missed vaccines. Of the preventable illness included in the study, the flu was the costliest – estimated to have cost the U.S. about $5.79 billion during 2015 (see chart below for more details).

If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet this year, it’s not too late! While most institution flu shot clinics have wrapped up by now, your UT SELECT Medical and Prescription coverage offers a couple of options to get your flu vaccine at no out-of-pocket cost to you.

  • Under the UT SELECT Medical plan flu shots and nasal flu mist are covered at 100% when services are received from a participating network provider. There is no copayment due when you visit a network provider for preventive care services only, such as the flu shot. (Other services obtained during the same visit may result in a copayment.)

  • The UT SELECT Prescription plan covers the full cost of the flu vaccine when received at retail pharmacies that participate in the Express Scripts network. With the broad network of pharmacies, this is generally the most convenient option for members and it is the least costly for the UT SELECT plan.

For assistance finding a retail pharmacy where you can get the vaccine, please contact Express Scripts customer service at (800) 818-0155 or visit the Express Scripts website. You must present your UT SELECT Prescription card (from Express Scripts/Medco) for 100% coverage of the flu vaccine at a participating pharmacy. A prescription is NOT required and the vaccine is not subject to the prescription plan deductible.

TIP: If you present your UT SELECT Medical card (from Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)) when getting the flu vaccine at a pharmacy, the pharmacy will require payment and you will need to submit a paper claim to BCBS for reimbursement. Also, if you have already gotten your flu shot at a network retail pharmacy and paid out of pocket, you may submit a paper claim along with your itemized receipt to BCBS to receive reimbursement. Click here to download the BCBS medical claim form.