A two-shot vaccine called Shingrix can help prevent shingles, which predominantly affects older people.
Heres what you oughta know.
Does Medicare Cover the Shingles Vaccine?
Here’show to sign up for Medicareif you’re not already enrolled, or if you need to add a prescription drug plan.
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Only about 10% of the 65 million people enrolled in Medicare lacked creditable prescription drug coverage.
Your local health department may have the vaccine too.
verify the pharmacy you visit is in your Medicare drug plan connection before getting the shingles vaccination.
What Is the Shingles Vaccine and Who Needs It?
Shingrix is a two-dose vaccine.
Youll get the second dose two to six months after the first shot.
Shingrix replaced Zostavax in November 2020 as the recommended shingles vaccine in the U.S. Shingles is because of the same virus that causes chickenpox.
While the virus usually stays dominant, it reactivates in about one-third of adults, causing shingles.
Do Other Health Insurance Plans Cover the Shingles Vaccine?
Medicare beneficiaries arent the only ones who can get the shingles vaccine for free.
All health insurance plans purchased through theHealth Insurance Marketplacecover the shingles vaccine with no out-of-pocket costs.
Medicaid coverage for the shingles vaccine varies by state.
Health plans covering 96% of commercially insured members now cover Shingrix, according to thecompanys website.
What If I Dont Have Insurance?
Presenting a GoodRx coupon at the pharmacy can lower your cost to about $188 per dose.
GSK, the company that manufactures Shingrix, offers apatient assistance program for vaccinesfor patients without insurance.
Youll need to apply for the financial assistance program through your doctor.
Your health care provider will need to register with the program, then submitthe applicationon your behalf.
Rachel Christian is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder.
She focuses on retirement, Medicare, investing and life insurance.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
You know which ones were talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries…
