CMS Will Cover Swine Flu Vaccines

Medicare will cover immunizations against the H1N1 virus. There will be no coinsurance or copayment applied to this benefit, and beneficiaries will not have to meet their deductible.

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Web site, Medicare covers both the cost of the swine flu vaccine and its administration by recognized providers. The site also provides updates on other vaccines Medicare covers, including:

Pneumococcal Polysaccharide vaccinations: Medicare provides coverage for 1 pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine for all beneficiaries. Once vaccine at age 65 generally provides coverage for a lifetime, but for some high-risk individuals, a booster vaccine is needed.
Hepatitis B vaccinations: Individuals at high or intermediate risk are among those who are eligible to receive this benefit. Medicare covers both the cost of the vaccine and the administration by recognized providers. The coinsurance or copayment applies after the yearly deductible has been met.

See these resources from the CMS Web site for more information about vaccination benefits:

CMS Overview of Adult Immunizations

CMS Overview of Adult Immunizations: Beneficiary Resources

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