Aetna health insurance now covers administration of H1N1 flu vaccine
Posted on Mon, Oct 12, 2009
Aetna has made the decision to cover administration of the H1N1 flu vaccine for all fully insured medical plan members and all members of self-funded plans unless directed otherwise by the plan sponsor. Aetna will provide this coverage even in instances where members' have major medical insurance plans or specific health plans that do not provide coverage for preventive care or have limits on such coverage. Aetna will cover the full cost cost of the administration of the vaccine with no member copay, co-insurance or deductible applied.
Aetna is reaching out to all members in many ways. Educational mailings to members have begun, and messages will be included in the Member Essentials e.newsletter. In addition, professionals staffing Aetna's member services call centers have received special materials on the H1N1 flu so they are well prepared to answer questions.
They will also use information available in their CareEngine® to proactively identify members who fall into three of the five categories of "priority individuals" as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Aetna will reach out to these members and urge them to be vaccinated.
These three categories are:
* Members who are younger than 65 years of age who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza
* Persons 6 months to 24 years of age
* Pregnant women
Members in these high-risk groups will receive Care Considerations sent to their personal health records with information on H1N1 flu, their specific risk factors and suggestions they consider vaccination. We will include information about all of the priority groups, including those we cannot readily identify through our records - health care workers/emergency personnel and caregivers of children six months and younger - in messages sent to all members' Aetna Personal Health Records.
In a similar effort to reach high-risk members, Aetna is providing H1N1 training to nurse case managers who work with members enrolled in Aetna's disease management, case management, and Beginning Right® maternity programs. Members in these programs may also be among those the CDC has targeted for prioritization when the vaccine is first available.
Resources are available to all members on Aetna's public website include fact sheets and Question & Answer documents, with up-to-date information on the H1N1 flu along with tips on preventing infection. We have posters and flyers for download with tips on how to avoid the flu. Aetna is one the nations top insurers offering individual health insurance, family health insurance and group health insurance.