Why Does Medicare Not Cover Shingles Vaccine

Medicare part a hospital insurance or medicare part b medical insurance doesn t cover the shingles shot.

Why does medicare not cover shingles vaccine.

While original medicare medicare part a and part b does not cover the shingles vaccine called shingrix some medicare advantage plans and some medicare part d plans may offer coverage for the vaccine. On the other hand medicare part d or a medicare advantage plan that includes part d coverage typically does cover the vaccine. Part a which deals with hospital costs doesn t cover shingles shots either. Here s the quick answer.

Original medicare does not cover the cost of the shingles vaccine. Each plan may cover the vaccine differently. En español unlike some common vaccines like those for the flu hepatitis b and pneumonia shingles shots are not covered under medicare part b the component of original medicare that includes doctor visits and outpatient services. Medicare part b covers a small handful of vaccines for the flu hepatitis b and the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine.

You may have a copay to get the vaccine and an additional fee if you haven t yet met your deductible. Surprisingly original medicare parts a and b doesn t cover the shingles vaccine even though it covers other vaccines like the flu vaccine and pneumonia shot. The devil is in the details. However if you have a medicare advantage or medicare part d plan part or all of the cost should be covered.

People with traditional medicare may purchase a separate part d drug plan while medicare advantage plans sold by private insurers typically include prescription coverage. Generally medicare prescription drug plans part d cover all commercially available vaccines like the shingles shot needed to prevent illness. If you re covered by medicare you may feel the pain of a shingles shot more in your wallet than in your arm. Read on to learn.