Small practices may not want to deal with guessing how much to order and then storing the vaccines in the super freezers.
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I asked my doctor. The vaccines are expensive, and need good storage, and also donāt have a shelf life that is forever. She says, she canāt afford to stockpile a medication that she might or might not use.
She says she stocks the flu vaccine because 90% of her patients get it every year. And she saidā¦that is not the case with the COVID shots.
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For comparison, common flu vaccines are about $20 per dose, while the high dose or recombinant ones are $80-100 per dose. COVID-19 vaccines are $140 per dose and require special freezers to store.
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Covid vaccine no longer requires freezers for storage - can be kept in a regular vaccine fridge now (been true for years). However considering the cost per dose and possibility that insurance may not reimburse, and given people have grown used to using pharmacies for routine vaccinations I can totally understand why practices are choosing not to stock it.
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Big practices (see Kaiser example mentioned above) may be more likely to do their own administration of COVID-19 vaccines, since their volume is high enough that the amount that may be wasted is small compared to the total volume.
Just as a data point, Aetna is the insurance that refused to pay for Nexspike. Itās not in my planās formulary.
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For some reason, mNEXSPIKE is priced slightly higher than Spikevax (or Comniraty) even though the smaller dose should be less expensive to make.
Study in Japan suggests that people getting COVID-19 vaccines vary in antibody responses, not completely based on age, grouped into durable immunity, limited immunity, and rapid decline.
Not necessarily. Small batches can be more expensive to produce per unit. In oligo business, the main cost component is usually the labor, which could be the same regardless of the batch size.
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I have bc/bs fed employee plan and medicare (over 65 but less than 75). Did any one with these stats get a new covid vaccination in Colorado? I know our governor said we can get it without a script but does the insurance or medicare cover the cost?
Iām in HI and we are BCBS, over 65 (Iām under 75 but H is over 75). We had our Medicare cover us and if not our BCBS said theyād cover everyone over 6 months.
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These posts are all about people getting vaccines before the CDC decides on their policy for COVID vaccines. I have seen advice for those 65-74 to get vaccines before that meeting. Yesterday the CDC panel altered childhood vaccine schedules. Not sure when COVID is coming up but that is when there is some chance it will be 75+ (and those with risk factors). Some states have their own policies. Usually federal supercedes state so weāll see what happens. In this case it seems states want autonomy.
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not when it comes to vaccines, where the fed role is only a recommendation. States are free to do as they see fit. For example, he 3 west coast states have already agreed to provide a covid vax to anyone who wants one, and that insurers have to pay for it.
That said, states canāt require Medicare to pay for covid vax-for-all, but they might have authority to require the Supplement to pay for it as Supplements are regulated at the state level. (unsure)
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Yes- so unclear. I scheduled H and I to get a covid vac this morning at a local Walgreens. I called (not easy) last night the BC/BS FEP 24/7 line and they looked up our FEP plan and the exact pharmacy to make sure it was in network. BC/BS said it will cost $0. Let you guys know if other than that. We were going to wait until November but the uncertainty of the age thing would apply to us (less than 75 but greater than 65) with no certain risk factors listed.
We are also going this morning to beat any possible changes to guidelines. I am still unsure if my insurance will pay. Caremark rep told me Covid vaccines are not covered, but the website said my copay is zero.
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SILās place of employment (state university) held a vaccination clinic on campus Wednesday. Any employee who wanted a flu or covid vaccination got one for free.
State requires a prescription for covid unless one is over 65 or has risk factors.
SiL is not 65+ nor does he have any risk factors. He got both vaccinations. No issues.
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Just back from covid vaccinations at Walgreens. They looked it up and no out of pocket cost (medicare and BC/BS).
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Iām not in Colorado but I have BC/BS fed and am less than 65. Covid was covered, and so was flu. I just got them today.
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Mission accomplished. Despite being told by my insurance that they would not cover the COVID vaccine at a pharmacy, they paid for it. I am under 65 with a pre-existing condition. Walgreens did ask for the qualifying condition on the form. I answered honestly. Not sure what they do if you refuse to answer that. It was the easiest experience I have had since the vaccine came out. Walgreens had plenty of appointments at all locations by me and there was no one else waiting.
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My daughter was able to get her covid and flu vaccines today at the CVS walk in clinic. No questions asked, although she couldnāt schedule it on line.
(In NC).
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