Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts remains committed to helping limit the spread of the flu virus. We make it easy for members and their families to get vaccinated this flu season by offering a range of workplace and retail-based/public vaccine solutions.

Everyone Should Get an Annual Flu Shot
Experts are recommending annual flu vaccinations for everyone six months or older. For the most up-to-date information on vaccine recommendations, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. (Children six months through eight years of age who have never had a flu shot may need more than one flu shot. Parents should check with the child's pediatrician.)

Flu-Related Coverage by Plan

HMO Blue^®, POS, Access Blue^SM, and PPO Plans
HMO Blue, POS (primary care provider/plan-approved level of benefits), Access Blue, and PPO members have no cost share for flu shots (or FluMist for children if applicable), when performed by a participating or preferred provider. Members are covered under their medical benefits for this service. However, if a member receives a flu shot along with other covered services at a provider's office, the other covered services will be subject to any applicable cost sharing, as outlined in the member's summary of benefits.

Indemnity Plans
Most Indemnity members with account renewal dates on or after September 23, 2010 have coverage for the flu shot at no cost if your account has not opted out of National Health Care Reform's preventive care provision. Please note that if a member receives a flu shot along with other covered services at a provider's office, the other covered services will be subject to any applicable cost sharing, as outlined in the member's summary of benefits.

Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage members have full coverage for flu shots in any location whether or not the provider is in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts network. Members will be required to submit a claim for reimbursement when the flu shot is provided by a non-participating provider. If a member receives a flu shot along with other services at a provider's office, he or she will be subject to any applicable cost sharing, as outlined in the member's summary of benefits.

Members must have their ID card with them when they receive their flu shot.

Approved Vaccination Providers
We have partnered with a range of providers to offer flu vaccinations. For retail and public clinic locations, members should be directed to create an account and log in to Member Central.

To find a participating provider inside or outside Massachusetts, members can use our Find a Doctor tool or contact Member Service at the number on the front of their ID card.

Flu shot providers include:

• Limited services clinics (e.g., MinuteClinics^®' at CVS/pharmacy)
• Urgent care centers
• Some retail/public locations staffed by Mollen Immunization Clinics, such as grocery stores¹
• Member's worksite when using a vendor approved by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts²
• Primary care provider's office
• Nurse practitioner's office
• Specialist's office
• Certified nurse-midwife's office
• Skilled nursing facilities³ (when a member is receiving outpatient custodial services, such as physical therapy or occupational therapy)
• Home health care provider, such as a visiting nurse³
• Outpatient department of a hospital
• Public access clinics offered through many cities and towns

As of December 15, 2011, members with BCBSMA pharmacy benefits will also be able to receive a flu shot (administered by a pharmacist who is registered and licensed to perform flu vaccinations) at any retail pharmacy nationwide that participates with pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts, Inc. (ESI).

To find an ESI-participating pharmacy near you, log on to your Member Central account and go to My Pharmacy Benefits.

Prevention Tips and Treatment Options
For information on preventing the flu or options for treatment, members should be directed to visit our Member Central website at www.bluecrossma.com/flu.

Members can find retail settings staffed by Mollen Immunization Clinics by visiting www.flushotusa.com. Otherwise, if a member chooses to receive a flu shot in a retail setting, they must be sure that the clinic is staffed by Mollen Immunization Clinics.

Members will not be reimbursed for flu shots performed by non-participating providers. Members receiving home health care services or custodial services at a skilled nursing facility from participating providers may also receive a flu shot from that provider without a cost share, provided that no other covered service is being performed at the same time.

For more information, or if you are interested in scheduling a worksite flu vaccination clinic, please contact your account executive.

1. Members should find retail settings by using the website, as noted above. Otherwise, if a member chooses to receive a flu shot in a retail setting, he/she must be sure that the clinic is staffed by Mollen Immunization Clinics. Members will not be reimbursed for flu shots performed by non-participating providers.

2. Please contact your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts wellness consultant for more information on approved vendors or to schedule a workplace-based flu clinic.

3. Members receiving home health care services or custodial services at a skilled nursing facility from participating providers may also receive a flu shot from that provider without a cost share, provided no other covered service is being performed at the same time.