Have you taken the shingles vaccination?

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Ron AKA Posted: Tue, Oct 6 2009 8:41 PM

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Canada has recently approved Zostavax for use in Canada in people over 60, which soon will be me. I see it has been approved in the US since 2006. How many have opted to take the vaccination?

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whalen replied on Wed, Oct 7 2009 9:22 AM

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Dear Ron,

I had too much money left in my flexible spending account and my doctor suggested I get the shingles vaccine (I am 63).  It was $250 (I hope it will be less or free for you).  It didn't hurt, and I had absolutely no side effects. I don't know if I could have afforded it if not for the flexible spending account but having seen and heard what people with shingles go through, I am very glad I had it.

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kat replied on Wed, Oct 7 2009 10:10 AM

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Ron,

Neither the vaccination nor the medication were available when I had shingles.  Although I can't speak to the vaccination experience, I'd certainly recommend doing anything you can to avoid the painful shingles experience.

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Dee replied on Wed, Oct 7 2009 11:59 AM

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I got the shot recently, our insurance paid 100% of the cost.  I know what shingles did to my husbands health and the problems he endures daily because of it. I had some redness and slight warmth at the injection site for a few days, other than that no problems. 

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Jorgie replied on Thu, Oct 8 2009 8:58 AM

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I just had shingles, but my wife got the shot. Blue Cross Blue Shield Senior Gold didn't pay anything after they told me they would pay half.

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jen1229 replied on Thu, Oct 8 2009 9:24 AM

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Jorgie:

I just had shingles, but my wife got the shot. Blue Cross Blue Shield Senior Gold didn't pay anything after they told me they would pay half.

Jorgie:

I have Blue Cross and I called them when I first joined the Y to see if they covered any part of the expense.  They told me yes, but when I submitted the claim they told me I wasn't covered.  I called them up and complained and they paid the claim as a one-time payment for customer satisfaction. 

If I were you I would call BC and complain. If they tell you you are not covered get loud and ask to speak to a supervisor.  Be very adamant when you speak to that person and ask why you were told they would pay and  now they say they they won't.  It can't hurt and who knows they might pay you back. Tell them if you have to you will go to the President of BC. Be sure to say, more than once if you have to, that this is their fault not yours, that their employee did not look up your personal benefits.

The most you have to lose is a little time.

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kat replied on Thu, Oct 8 2009 9:47 AM

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Jorgie,

Jen gave you some good advice.  Another option is to contact the governmental agency in your state in charge of regulating the insurance industry.  In my state, it's the Insurance Commissioner.  After you have once attempted to get BC/BS to honor its commitment to pay half and if they refuse to do so, tell a BC/BS supervisor that BC/BS is leaving you no option but to contact the Insurance Commissioner -- but leave BC/BS a little room to save face.  I'm betting for the small cost of a shingles vaccination they will resolve the issue to your satisfaction.  If not, do write the Insurance Commissioner and copy both the person you spoke with at BC/BS and the CEO of your state's BC/BS plan.  In these times, insurance companies can't afford to have unhappy customers.

Yes, it's a hassle.  But compared to what you (or your employer) is paying for health insurance, the reimbursement amount is peanuts.

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Ron AKA replied on Thu, Oct 8 2009 11:45 AM

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On my check so far here, it appears neither our health care system, nor my private enhanced health car insurance will pay for it. Looks like it will cost $150 to $175. I guess I would spend that on my dog, so I guess I should do the same for myself.

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tylersydney replied on Sat, Oct 10 2009 9:50 PM

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I had it 6-8 weeks ago..cannot remember..at Walgreen's.

They have mini clinics in the back of some stores...it is het sensitive so no way to safely get it to my Drs office for injection.

It paid just $20 for the injection fee.

My AZ state retirement plan..a Medicare Advantage plan...

Secure Horizons paid the rest..It was a $250 shot.

Worth it at any cost..

shingles are horrendously painful..and many suffer for half a year..

Get the shot.

Otherwise..who will walk you dog?