Changes are coming from the Indiana State Department of Health regarding who can get free vaccinations from the health department.
According to information from the Indiana Immunization Coalition, provided by Kosciusko County Health Dept. nurse Debbie Frank, beginning today significant changes will occur in how vaccines are provided in Indiana.
Federal and state guidelines will no longer allow county health departments to provide publicly funded vaccines to adults or children if their insurance covers immunization costs. This policy change is to ensure all publicly funded vaccines go to children who qualify for them.
Adults and children with insurance that covers immunizations now will need to either visit their primary provider or contact their county health department to see if private stock vaccine is available.
A person’s insurance plan may cover the cost of all vaccines, a select few or require a person to hit a deductible before vaccines are covered. Insurance plans with deductibles, percentage-based plans and those with co-pays are considered fully insured. Children on these plans will not be eligible for publicly funded vaccines and will need to use their insurance to pay for immunizations.
Public health officials will ask whether or not your insurance covers vaccines and will ask for a signature as proof that they asked.
To find out what vaccines are covered and at what cost, a person should contact their insurance provider. Not all insurance carriers cover vaccines or cover only a select few.
Depending on a person’s coverage, the county health department may be able to provide certain immunizations.
According to the information, “The next important call is to your primary physician. Please ensure your physician’s group offers vaccines. Clarify cost for each vaccine. Then call your county health department. Some county health departments will provide private stock vaccines, which means you could pay for the vaccine and then seek reimbursement from your insurance carrier. Make these calls prior to your visit. Every child in Indiana deserves access to life-saving vaccines.”
Each family is responsible for verifying coverage. There are vaccine requirements for children entering school, certain travel destinations, jobs and some volunteer organizations.
For more information on immunizations, visit the website www.vaccinateindiana.org
