« Previous page

Stick It to the Flu - Program details

Home | FAQs | State Health Plan FAQs

Stick it to the FluMore than 200,000 people are hospitalized every year from the flu and complications caused by the flu. 1 The best way to reduce your risk is to get an annual flu shot.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) wants to help our members stay healthy during the flu season with Stick it to the FluSM1. We're making flu shots available at no charge to eligible members enrolled in one of the following plans: 2

  • BCBSNC group and individual plans with preventive care benefits
  • Blue Medicare HMOSM
  • Blue Medicare PPOSM
  • Blue Medicare SupplementSM
  • North Carolina State Health Plan
  • North Carolina Health Choice for Children
  • North Carolina Federal Employee Program

Eligible members can receive a flu shot during the flu season at any of the following locations while supplies last: 3

  • Physician's office -- Eligible members may schedule an appointment for a flu shot or visit a physician's flu shot clinic. Eligible members won't be charged for the flu shot, although some members may pay an office copayment, depending on their specific benefits. Members who receive other services in addition to the flu shot will be required to pay any applicable copayment, coinsurance or deductible amounts.
  • Worksite clinic -- Some members may receive a flu shot where they work. Many employer groups have chosen to host worksite flu shot clinics this year at no cost to the member. Members of a group plan should contact their Human Resources or benefits department to find out if their employer is hosting a worksite flu shot clinic and if there's any cost involved.
  • Participating health department -- Eligible members may visit a participating health department for a flu shot. Eligible members won't be charged for the flu shot, although some members may pay a copayment, depending on their specific benefits. Members who receive other services in addition to the flu shot will be required to pay any applicable copayment, coinsurance or deductible amounts. Public health departments also provide flu shots to the uninsured and general public.
  • Participating immunizing pharmacists -- Eligible members may go to a local participating pharmacist to receive a flu shot. This includes a limited number of pharmacists who have contracted with BCBSNC to administer vaccines that will be covered by BCBSNC, such as the flu shot, and CVS MinuteClinics. Eligible members will not be charged for the flu shot, although some members may pay a copayment, depending on their specific benefits. Only eligible members ages 18 and older may receive flu vaccinations from immunizing pharmacists. To find a participating, immunizing pharmacist, visit the Doctors, Rx and Hospitals section of our site and search for "Pharmacist (Flu & Other Limited Injections)" under Specialty. To find a participating CVS Minute Clinic, search for “Convenience Care Center” under Specialty.

Not an eligible member?

If you aren't an eligible member (see above for which BCBSNC members are eligible), you can get a flu shot for $30 at participating physicians' flu shot clinics. Also, flu shots are available to the uninsured and general public at public health departments. The cost varies and may be covered by private insurance or Medicare.

 

1 "Key Facts About Seasonal Influenza (Flu)." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, July 2008 http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm July 2008.

2 Members in self-funded plans should check with their plan administrator to determine if the influenza vaccine and FluMist are covered benefits and, if covered, where they can receive the benefit at the lowest cost.

3 Each clinic has been allocated a supply of vaccine. Shots will be given on a first-come, first-served basis until the supply is depleted. A parent or legal guardian must accompany children ages 9-17 and provide written authorization (Children under 9 should see their physician). The flu shot will be administered by representatives of Maxim Health Systems, a division of Maxim Healthcare Services. Members should refer to their benefit booklet for more information about their preventive care benefits. In the event that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that flu shots be administered to high-risk groups before the general public, Maxim will give priority to those who fit the CDC's high-risk criteria.

®, SM Marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. SM1 Mark of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. FluMist® is a registered trademark of MedImmune, LLC.