Vaccines now covered under Medicare Part D (Walgreens, Costco, cost)

[GWoodle]

Originally Posted by villabella22201

I just got a notice in email from Medicare that more vaccines are covered under Part D. This is new as of Jan 2023, didn't know this before today. So, now Shingles (x2) is free with Part D? Tetanus and others also.
Am I understanding this to be correct?

https://www.medicareinteractive.org/...ree%20to%20you.

With the Covid emergency ending this is changing. Some vaccines at the doctor are under Part B. Shingles & the others may be at the pharmacy under Part D.

Probably need to state this is free to you. Don't worry somebody pays.

For some items the doctor may recommend you get something more often than Medicare pays & allows. Always ask your doctor & if they accept assignment.

[rothbear]

We got our first Shingrix in February with no cost. But be aware it is only if you have a Part D plan. Medicare itself doesn't pay for it, the part D plan does. That is why you have to get it at a pharmacy because doc offices don't take part D. Medicare pays for flu, pneumonia and covid vaccines. Most other ones are now paid for by part D, but only those that the CDC recommend for seniors.

When our daughter had our first granddaughter in 2019 we updated some of our vaccines and had to pay for them but not near as much as the Shingrix was. Glad we kept putting it off due to cost.

[dkf747]

What about if you have an Advantage plan that covers you for Part D? Do we get them free too?

[rothbear]

Originally Posted by dkf747

What about if you have an Advantage plan that covers you for Part D? Do we get them free too?

Good question. That is something you would have to check with your plan. I would think so as long as your plan has an actual Medicare Part D attached to it. I don't know how Advantage plans work (do they have Part D or some other kind of coverage) as I have never used one. My neighbors have one (MetLife retiree plan) and I think she said they would be covered under theirs

This is what the Humana website says:

"Currently, the shingles shot is covered by Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, but not under Original Medicare (Parts A and B)."

[suzy_q2010]

Originally Posted by rothbear

Good question. That is something you would have to check with your plan. I would think so as long as your plan has an actual Medicare Part D attached to it. I don't know how Advantage plans work (do they have Part D or some other kind of coverage) as I have never used one. My neighbors have one (MetLife retiree plan) and I think she said they would be covered under theirs

This is what the Humana website says:

"Currently, the shingles shot is covered by Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, but not under Original Medicare (Parts A and B)."

Medicare Advantage plans provide the equivalent of Part B + a supplement + Part D.

[L00k4ward]

Here goes the part D with higher premiums next enrollment?

[villabella22201]

Originally Posted by L00k4ward

Here goes the part D with higher premiums next enrollment?

I was thinking the exact same thing.

[Jim Mac]

Is the Shingles vaccine and Covid boosters available at Walgreens or Costco ?

Thanks.

[suzy_q2010]

Originally Posted by Jim Mac

Is the Shingles vaccine and Covid boosters available at Walgreens or Costco ?

Thanks.

You would need to contact your local stores to find out.

[lenora]

The increase in the Part D premium will look insignificant compared to what I suspect is going to happen to the Part B premium, again. Several new Alzheimer drugs that require infusions are, again, on the table.