Tricare to cover network pharmacy flu shots

[unhappycamper]

Tricare to cover network pharmacy flu shots
By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Dec 10, 2009 17:42:37 EST

No-cost immunizations for H1N1 and seasonal flu, and pneumococcal vaccine, will soon be available to eligible beneficiaries at Tricare retail network pharmacies, the Pentagon said Dec. 10.

The change brings Tricare in line with other insurers that have long covered pharmacist-administered vaccinations, according to the National Community Pharmacists Association. Registered pharmacists are authorized to administer vaccines in a retail pharmacy setting in all 50 states, Tricare said.

Although the immunizations are not yet available — Tricare’s pharmacy contractor must implement code changes at its roughly 40,000 network pharmacies to avoid inadvertent billing problems — the insurer thinks the benefit will become a reality in one to four weeks, said Bonnie Powell, Tricare’s deputy director of communications and customer service.

In addition to the no-cost provision — the vaccines are for preventive care — Tricare Prime enrollees will not require a referral. Beneficiaries will be screened at the pharmacy to ensure the vaccine and means of administration are appropriate. Since claims will be submitted electronically, beneficiaries will have no out-of-pocket expenses.

Tricare is considering whether to allow its network pharmacies to administer other Tricare-covered immunizations as well.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/12/military_tricare_flushots_pharmacy_121009w/