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I didn't want to hijack the other shingles thread so....
Seem like you can't get reimbursed until age 60 and it's relatively expensive at around $200, from what I hear. I had a bad case of chickenpox when I was in high school and I hear such terrible things about shingles that I don't really want to wait.
What have folks experienced in terms of getting the shot earlier than typically recommended/reimbursed?
My brother had shingles twice before he turned 50 and mom had it in her 70's. I asked the doctor for the vaccine when I turned 50, right after my mom had gotten shingles. I had figured that my brother was just under a lot of stress and he seems to get sick easily. But after seeing how bad mom's case was (two years later she still has eye problems) I asked for the vaccine. My doctor understood why I wanted it and agreed. Our insurance company payed for it without a peep, went straight through on the claim. Your mileage may vary!
My brother had shingles twice before he turned 50 and mom had it in her 70's. I asked the doctor for the vaccine when I turned 50, right after my mom had gotten shingles. I had figured that my brother was just under a lot of stress and he seems to get sick easily. But after seeing how bad mom's case was (two years later she still has eye problems) I asked for the vaccine. My doctor understood why I wanted it and agreed. Our insurance company payed for it without a peep, went straight through on the claim. Your mileage may vary!
Good to know...maybe some insurance companies are coming around...
Our insurance paid for it, $224 per shot, very grateful, know ppl , including spouse, who had outbreaks. Our previous insurance did not pay for any adult vaccinations.
If I recall correctly, my HMO wouldn't give the shingles vaccination before age 65, at which time I got it. But that was five and a half years ago, so their guidelines could have changed in the meantime. I had a co-pay whose exact amount I don't remember either, but it was under $30.
I never had the shingles shot and I came down with it at age70. Believe me, you don't want shingles. I only had one big blister on my shoulder blade and that didn't hurt so much. I had terrible nerve pain from deep within my shoulder and it felt like someone had grabbed my muscle with pliers and twisted As soon as I was told what I had, I took my wife in and she got the shot. $250 well spent. After I recovered (3 Months), my doctor said go get the shot. I did.
Aside from what my insurance wanted, I had two different doctors tell me not to get the shot until I was 60. But believe me, I had it lined up to get the day after my birthday because I had really terrible chicken pox as a kid. Had I had relatives who showed symptoms earlier than 60, I would have paid for the shot if my insurance wouldn't. It's a terrible disease and well worth the $200 ticket price to avoid it. I investigated prices in case I had to pay and I found the Costco pharmacy to be cheapest in my area. Get the shot, people, it hurts less than a blood test or even a flu shot.
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