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Michael T Braden August 28, 2024 MEDICARE PART D
MEDICARE PART D COVERS YOUR VACCINATIONS
The purpose of this article is not to be a statement for or against vaccines in any way, shape, or form. To deliver information, I respectfully do not care if you are pro-vaccine or Anti-Vaccines. Neither viewpoint is the reason why I decided to write the article. This article relays tips, tricks, and reminders to keep seniors, and Medicare beneficiaries aware of the proper way to receive vaccines that will not cost them any money. It's as simple as that.
Everyone enrolled in any Medicare Plan must be enrolled in Medicare Part B. However, your vaccinations are paid for using your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan benefits, Medicare Part D.
WHERE YOU SHOULD GO TO GET VACCINATION SHOTS
As Fall slowly begins it is a reminder to start thinking about receiving your 2024 Influenza (Flu Shot) Vaccine, and possibly others. This year things are a little bit different since Medicare changed its policy and stance on covered vaccines on January 1, 2023. This new rule, allows Medicare Beneficiaries to receive Free, No Cost vaccinations for all of the vaccines recommended by the CDC.
During the Pandemic nobody paid for Covid shots and Medicare always paid for Flu Shots, but there are a few more items that you may not be aware of.
NEW COVID BOOSTER
I suggest everyone considering getting the new COVID Booster to speak with their General Practitioner, Primary Care Doctor or their Nurse Practitioner, prior to scheduling a vaccine.
According to the article both of the latest COVID Booster shots that were made available last month are manufactured only by Pfizer and Moderna. It is recommended that if you get an Booster, find get one from the same manufacturer you used when you received your initial COVID-19 shots.
Here is the troubling part of the article for me. The Pfizer Vaccine reportedly only tested the new Booster in mice and the Moderna Vaccine was only give to 10-50 humans in their tests. This does not at all mean that this new Booster that was released on September 12th, 2023 is unsafe, It only suggests that there is no way any company can say with certainty exactly how effective it is or just how effective it will be against all existing and other Covid variants still to come.
From everything I have read to date concerning the new Booster, it is pro-ported to prevent the need for any long-term hospitalization for anyone diagnosed with COVID and it lessens the severity of the effects if you are diagnosed, which is great. But, to be clear, this new Booster, which is virtually untested and that it seems to me was rushed to market by the Government will not keep you from contracting COVID-19 and sadly it seems like the Government, FDA, and CDC rushing things unnecessarily, the only question is why? Lastly, if you are in a high-risk groupCOVID-19 for either contracting any form of COVID or due to a pre-existing condition that leaves you at higher risk for contracting Covid, definitely contact your Doctor and see what they say.
I am not a Medical professional and for the record up until this new Booster I have received every other COVID Booster. I have never been diagnosed with COVID-19 I just think there is more data delivered every day that suggests questioning the accuracy of claims previously made by Pfizer, Moderna, Bio-Tech, Johnson & Johnson, The FDA, the CDC and the White House is warranted. To me I have not read anything to suggest you would be harmed by receiving the Booster in any way, I just do not want anyone to think you are 100% protected against any of the COVID variants we have seen so far.
SHINGLES VACCINE (Herpes Zoster)
Shingles is a common disease — almost 1 in 3 people will get shingles in their lifetime. The good news is that the shingles vaccine, called Shingrix®, is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles.
RSV VACCINE
A respiratory syncytial virus vaccine, or RSV vaccine, is a vaccine that protects against infection by the respiratory syncytial virus. The RSV vaccines Arexvy, and Abrysvo, were approved for medical use in the United States in May 2023.
PNEUMOCOCCAL PNEUMONIA VACCINE
Pneumococcal disease (noo-muh-KOK-uhl) causes thousands of infections every year in the United States. It’s more common in children, but it’s most likely to cause serious complications in adults. The good news is that pneumococcal vaccines can help prevent the disease.
There are 3 types of pneumococcal vaccines (PCV13, PCV15, and PCV20). The different vaccines are recommended for different people based on their age and medical status.
PCV15 or PCV20
Adults 19 through 64 years old with certain medical conditions or other risk factors who have not already received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine should receive either:
a single dose of PCV15 followed by a dose of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23), or
a single dose of PCV20.
Adults 65 years or older who have not already received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine should receive either:
a single dose of PCV15 followed by a dose of PPSV23, or
a single dose of PCV20.
PCV15 or PCV20
Adults 19 through 64 years old with certain medical conditions or other risk factors who have not already received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine should receive either:
a single dose of PCV15 followed by a dose of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23), or
a single dose of PCV20.
Adults 65 years or older who have not already received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine should receive either:
a single dose of PCV15 followed by a dose of PPSV23, or
a single dose of PCV20.The purpose of this article is not to be a statement for or against vaccines in any way, shape, or form. To deliver information, I respectfully do not care if you are pro-vaccine or Anti-Vaccines. Neither viewpoint is the reason why I decided to write the article. This article is to relay Tips and tricks, It's a simple reminder to keep Seniors and Medicare Beneficiaries aware of the proper way to receive vaccines that will not cost you any money. Simple as that.
HEPATITIS A
Hepatitis A is a serious disease that used to be more common in the United States. In the 1980s, the United States used to see as many as 30,000 cases a year. Thanks to the vaccine, the number of hepatitis A cases in the United States has dropped by 95%.
There are 2 vaccines that protect against hepatitis A:
The hepatitis A vaccine protects infants, children, and adults from hepatitis A
The hepatitis A and B combination vaccine protects adults from both hepatitis A and hepatitis B
HEPATITIS B
Hepatitis B is a common disease in the United States. The good news is that the hepatitis B vaccine gives more than 90% protection to people who get the vaccine.
2 vaccines protect against hepatitis B:
The hepatitis B vaccine protects infants, children, and adults from hepatitis B
The hepatitis A and B combination vaccine protects adults from both hepatitis B and hepatitis A
TETANUS & DIPHTHERIA
Tdap. This shot protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough, also known as pertussis. The CDC recommends getting a Tdap or TD booster every 10 years.
THE ONLY PLACE TO GET YOUR VACCINES FOR FREE
Since January 1, 2023, when the new Medicare Vaccination coverage kicked in, the only place you can get Vaccinations for the above-listed vaccines is by going to the "Preferred Pharmacy" for your individual Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan. This should be the same pharmacy where you get your prescription filled.
Many pharmacies allow you to walk in and proceed to the Pharmacy without an appointment, We suggest after speaking with several pharmacies that you either enroll online using the Pharmacy Stores website or by calling the pharmacy to make an appointment. Please remember to have your ID and your Part D Plan card with you when you go. pick up your regular prescription Medications.
Effective January 1, 2025 you will be able to get your vaccine at ANY of your Medicare Part D plans "In-Network" pharmacies, not just your preferred pharmacies.
WHERE THEY CAN GIVE YOU A VACCINE, BUT YOUR PART D PLAN PROBABLY WON'T PAY FOR IT
ANY PHARMACY CAN GIVE YOU A SHOT, HOWEVER, THE ONLY WAY YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM IS TO GET THEM AT THE PREFERRED PHARMACY FOR YOUR PARTICULAR PLAN!
If you are at your doctor's office and they ask you if you want or need a vaccine, politely decline it and go to your Part D Plans Preferred Pharmacy. If you get vaccines at the doctor's office they will bill you under Part B. Medicare Part D is the only way to receive these vaccines at no cost.
If you are at the Grocery Store, Costco, or Sam's Club and you hear an announcement that they are administering Flu Shots, do not do it. Go home and call your Preferred Part D Plan Pharmacy and make an appointment.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR AND PHARMACY FOR A LIST OF ALL OF YOUR VACCINES OVER THE PAST 5-10 YEARS
Most people do not remember the last time they had a Tetanus or a Pneumonia shot. Please ask your doctor and your pharmacist for any records so you can ensure you are up to date with everything. Pneumonia vaccines are good for 5 years. The Shingrix vaccine for Shingles is a 1-Time/2-Part Vaccine. Influenza Shots are every Fall/Winter. COVID Boosters depend on when new updated Boosters become available. So please ask your Doctor or Pharmacist if you need anything, as they say; "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".
Please call us at www.bradenmedicare.com (480) 225-1393 or email me at mike@bradenmedicare.com anytime. Let us know how we can help you and remember anyone and everyone is welcome to ask us any question any time.