Vaccination Update
October 1, 2007
This message is for any patients that have commercial insurance (any plans that are not Medicaid type plans).
State immunizations are referred to as "VFC" which means "Vaccines for Children". The State sends these vaccines to offices based on their Medicaid volume.
Here are the eligibility guidelines for these vaccines:
- Available for children up to their 19th birthday.
- Medicaid Enrolled
- PeachCare enrolled
- Uninsured (Child has no health insurance coverage)
- American Indian or Alaska Native
- Underinsured (child has health insurance but immunizations are not a covered benefit)
Examples:
- Insurance which does not cover 2nd dose of Varicella may be given state-supplied stock for that dose only.
- Insurance that covers vaccines up to $500/year. Child is eligible for state-supplied vaccine once the coverage level has been reached, for the remainder of that coverage yr.
- A child who has insurance that covers vaccine but may have a high deductible is not VFC- eligible.
Some offices have allowed the VFC vaccines to be given when the pt has not met their deductible. However, based on the above information they are not eligible.
This means if you have an insurance plan that has high deductibles we cannot allow you to receive VCF vaccinations.
Due to state mandated guidelines for any school establishment your child must have these immunizations.
Due to the cost of vaccines it will be necessary for patients with high deductibles to pay for their vaccines up front. We are requesting 2 options:
- Keep your well child visits as scheduled and pay for the immunizations that day or
- Keep your well child visit as scheduled, confirm the price and when you are able to pay, schedule your child for a nurse appt to receive their immunizations.
We also recommend that you talk with your insurance provider and let them know the financial hardship it causes with the high deductible plans.
Again, this is a result of the insurance plan you or your company selected and state mandated guidelines.
Thank you for understanding.
