Broker Broadcast
UnitedHealthcare to Cover H1N1 Flu Vaccine for its Members
As you may have read, all regions of the U.S. have now reported positive cases
of the H1N1 flu. The latest comments from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) suggest the situation remains fluid.
UnitedHealthcare will provide coverage for the administration of the H1N1 (swine
flu) vaccine for all members covered by its fully insured plans.
We intend to process all self-funded member claims as a covered service unless
clients explicitly direct us otherwise. If your client's plan does not currently
cover the administration of the vaccine, and you notify us of your client's
intent not to cover the vaccine in the future, UnitedHealthcare will reimburse
the cost of the administration of the vaccine. The federal government has said
that the vaccine will be provided at no cost to health care providers.
UnitedHealth Group will coordinate its efforts with federal and state
authorities to ensure the widest possible administration of the vaccine in an
effort to mitigate the potential consequences of an H1N1 pandemic.
Based on its analysis of the current situation, The CDC's Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices has recommended prioritizing the following population
segments to receive the vaccine:
-
pregnant women;
-
caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age;
-
health care and emergency medical services personnel;
-
children and young adults from 6 months through 24 years old; and
-
persons aged 25 through 64 years who have underlying health conditions that might increase
their risk for flu-related complications.
Other population segments will be able to receive the vaccine, as it is made
available.
Prescription Coverage
Antiviral therapy is an important part of the prevention and treatment of H1N1 flu. For clients
that have UnitedHealthcare prescription benefit plan managed through
UnitedHealth Pharmaceutical Solutions, Tamiflu®
(oseltamir) and Relenza® (zanamivir) are covered drugs. The drugs
are also covered under legacy PacifiCare and UnitedHealthcare prescription
benefit plans administered by Prescription Solutions, which have lifted all
prior authorization requirements until further notice.
Member Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
To better inform members and help answer common questions, we have developed an H1N1 member
FAQ, that can be accessed at
myuhc.com. The FAQ
is updated frequently with the latest guidance from the CDC.
For More Information
For the most up-to-date information, please visit the CDC's Web site
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.
We will continue to keep you updated as new
information is made available. You may also visit our Web site,
www.uhc.com, for
the most up-to-date information.
article taken from UHc Special Edition e-Newsletter
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