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CMS Guidance on 2014-15 Influenza Season

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued two important guidance documents for the upcoming 2014-15 influenza season:

Providers that order, refer or provide flu vaccinations should keep both these references handy. CMS is reminding health professionals that Medicare Part B reimburses health care providers for flu vaccines and their administration, with no cost sharing on the part of the beneficiary. Please note that the flu vaccine is a Medicare Part B covered benefit and not covered under Part D. In addition to the two articles listed above, SE1431 provides an extensive list of CMS resources for providers regarding flu vaccinations, including informational pieces to share with beneficiaries.

As always, CMS is stressing the importance of the annual flu shot for both beneficiaries and their caregivers. If your organization itself does not provide the vaccine, CMS has a HealthMap Vaccine Finder to assist in locating a provider that administers the vaccination.

MM8980 provides the most recent flu vaccine payment allowances, which are updated each year on Aug. 1. 

CMS is also reminding providers that Medicare beneficiaries are eligible for pneumococcal vaccination, generally one per lifetime, as part of its program of preventive services. For high risk individuals, Medicare will also cover booster vaccinations. For more details, please refer to the Immunizations page of the CMS website.

Contact: Patrick Cucinelli, pcucinelli@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8827