Medicare & Shingles Shot Or Shingrix
Being covered by Medicare has many advantages because it helps you reduce the costs of many supplies and, thus, save money.
However, does it cover the shingles shot? Read to find out.
What Is Shingles?
Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It affects the skin, causing a rash, and sometimes it leads to nerve pain. People who had chickenpox have a higher chance of developing shingles.
While the virus may reappear anytime in people of many ages, people over 50 are the most likely to be affected by it.
Shingles starts off as a pain and itching on a specific spot of the skin. After a few days, the rash becomes visible and it looks similar to chickenpox. An episode of shingles usually lasts about 2-4 weeks.
Even if shingles is not contagious, the virus can spread to someone who has not had chickenpox. The person doesnt contact shingles, but chickenpox. The virus can spread by making contact with the fluid from the blisters. Also, its good to know that chickenpox has a higher contagiousness than shingles.
Does Medicare Cover the Shingles Shot?
Sadly, the answer to this question is no, unless you have a prescription plan.
The shingles shot is not be covered by Medicare Part A or Part B. Unlike other vaccines, it can only be covered by Medicare prescription drug plans . Thus, you have to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or a stand-alone Part D drug plan to cover the costs.
What Shingles Vaccines Are Available
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , there are 2 vaccines licensed and recommended to prevent shingles in the U.S.: Shingrix and Zostavax.2 The CDC recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older get 2 doses of Shingrix, separated by 2 to 6 months, to prevent shingles and the complications from the disease.3
What Steps Can You Take To Make Sure You Are Covered If You Have Medicare Advantage With Drug Coverage Or Medicare Part D
If you already have Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Part D, contact your provider to check your coverage. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private companies that Medicare approves.
If you are not yet on Medicare and want to find a plan that covers the shingles shot, you can use Medicares Find a Medicare Plan tool. This tool allows you to compare Medicare Advantage and Part D plans.
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Whats The Cost Of The Shingles Vaccine
According to GlaxoSmithKline, manufacturer of Shingrix, the two-shot series costs people with Medicare Part D an average of $50 per shot.15
As of October 2021, discount-coupon company GoodRx lists Shingrix at around $160, which is about 23% off its reported average retail price of $206.73.16 It indicates that Medicare plans list Shingrix typically in Tier 3 of their formulary. 17
Ultimately, how much your vaccine costs depends on the Medicare prescription plan or Medicare Advantage plan you choose, the vaccine you get and the pharmacy or doctors office where you have it administered.
If the shingles vaccine cost is unaffordable for you, GlaxoSmithKline has a Patient Assistance Program GSK for You that may be able to help you with the cost.
What Is The Shingles Virus
Shingles is a viral infection that induces an unpleasant rash on the body. Although shingles can spring up anywhere, it often forms a single stripe of painful blisters around the torsos left or right side.
If you have had chickenpox, and thats over 90% of adults, your immune system may have been able to keep the virus under control, explains Shingrix. The pain from shingles can be severe, disabling and may interfere with doing normal day-to-day activities including walking, sleeping and social activities.
While shingles are not life-threatening, they can be very painful. Vaccines can help reduce the risk of shingles, while early treatment can help diminish a shingles flare-up and reduce complications.
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There Are Two Approaches To Get A Medicare Shingles Vaccine
- At the pharmacy. Youll require a doctors prescription, so after its been transmitted, youll be able to buy the injection at a retail pharmacy. The vaccine is available at most large chains and some small pharmacies. Use a pharmacy in your Part D plans network, and the pharmacy will bill the plan directly, leaving you with the applicable deductible and copayment.
- In the doctors office. If you get vaccinated at a doctors office, find out if the office can charge your drug prescription plan directly or if it partners through a pharmacy that can. In the event that this is often the circumstance, itll work as already portrayed, with you owing a copayment. If not, you will be required to pay the entire amount upfront, and then make an application for compensation from the insurance company. Keep in mind if the doctors bill for prescribing the vaccination can surpass the plans permissible payment, in which case you will be responsible for the difference. Its still a smart idea to double-check all ahead of time.
How Much Does The Shingles Shot Cost
There is currently only one shingles vaccine available in the United States, sold under the brand name Shingrix. An older shingles vaccine called Zostavax was taken off the market in November 2020.
Shingrix is delivered in two shots. Without insurance, each shot retails for around $202 for a total of $404, according to GoodRX in 2021. Discounts can lower that cost by nearly $50 per shot.
Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans may cover most of the cost of the Shingrix vaccine, but you could have out-of-pocket costs for both the shot and your doctor visits.
Before getting the vaccine, check with your plans administrator to make sure your policy covers the shingles shot.
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Medicare Coverage For Shingles
Home / FAQs / Medicare Coverage / Medicare Coverage for Shingles
All Medicare prescription plans cover shingles vaccines. If you believe you may have shingles, Part B pays for a visit to the doctor.
If your doctor prescribes antiviral or pain medications, Medicare prescription drug plans will usually cover them.
In the context below well discuss coverage and costs for everything relating to shingles with Medicare.
How Does Medicare Cover The Shingles Vaccine
Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, does not cover the shingles vaccination but Medicare Part D does. To get this covered, you must enroll in either a stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage . You may have a copayment for the shingles vaccine.
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Who Is At Risk Of Shingles
According to the national institute of aging, 1 in 3 people will get shingles in the United States. The risk of developing shingles increases with age.
Essentially, anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles, which is why doctors recommend having a shingles vaccine for those who are over the age of 50. However, even if youve had shingles in the past, they can flare up again and again!
About The Shingles Vaccine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that healthy adults over the age of 50 get the shingles vaccine because it’s the only way to protect against the disease and its associated side effects. The risk of getting shingles increases as you age or if you have a weakened immune system. Always consult your doctor to find out if the shingles vaccine is right for you.
The CDC recommended vaccine, Shingrix, is a recombinant zoster vaccine that has two doses administered within six months of each other. It’s classified as a Tier 3 drug by most insurance companies, which means it’s a brand-name pharmaceutical with a higher copayment than a Tier 1 or 2 drug.
Use the Shingrix vaccine locator to find where the shingles vaccine is being offered, and check with your Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage provider to see which locations give you the lowest price.
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Does Medicare Cover The Shingles Vaccine Conclusion
Original Medicare A and B dont cover the shingles vaccine. However Medicare dictates that whatever Part D plan you have must have coverage, but the costs you would pay under your Part D plan can vary greatly between plans. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan that also has Part D coverage then you will also have coverage. Whether you have a stand-alone Part D plan or your Part D coverage is embedded in your Medicare Advantage plan, you are likely going to need to pay deductibles and copays for the vaccine. An alternative you may want to look at is the online discount programs. I used Goodrx in this blog as an example, but there are many out there to look at.
Is The Shingles Shot Free For Seniors
The shingles vaccine is not free for all seniors, and how much you pay will depend on your Medicare Part D plan or with your Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefits. Seniors who don’t have a prescription drug plan will have to pay full price for the shingles vaccine or use a cost-saving method to get the vaccine at a discounted price.
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Some Vaccines Covered Better Than Others
Unlike the flu and pneumonia vaccines, which are fully covered as preventive services under Medicare Part B, the shingles shot and other recommended vaccinations are covered as prescription drugs under Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans.
Some of those plans provide better coverage than others, but nearly all of them divide their formularies, or list of covered drugs, into tiers according to cost. Drugs in Tier 1 and 2, mainly lower-priced generics and preferred brand-name drugs, have lower co-pays than more expensive nonpreferred brands in Tier 3 or 4.
Consumer Reports found that many Part D plans categorize the shingles vaccine, Zostavax, as an expensive Tier 3 or 4 drug. Only one pharmaceutical companyMerckmakes the shingles shot, and theres currently no generic version.
That means if you havent met your annual deductible, youll likely wind up paying full price for the shot, which is about $217. But depending on your plan, even after the deductible is met, consumers may have to pay a significant part of the shingles vaccine costup to $100.
Many healthcare providers havent set up billing systems to file claims through prescription drug plans. So if you’re vaccinated at your doctors office, you might be required to pay the full shingles vaccine cost up front and then file to be reimbursed by your insurance.
What Are The Complications Of Shingles
The most common and lasting complication of shingles is nerve pain, whats called postherpetic neuralgia , which can last for months or even years, long after the rash has cleared up. According to the CDC, between 10% and 18% of people whove had shingles will develop PHN.
PHN is a stabbing or throbbing pain or weakness where the shingles rash had been. The risk increases with age and the pain lasts longer and is more severe than in younger people.8
In rare cases, shingles can develop into pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness and brain inflammation.9 Only 1% to 4% of people with shingles are hospitalized for complications, though these are typically older adults and people whose immune systems are weak or suppressed, and fewer than 100 people die from shingles each year.10
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Does Medicare Cover Shingrix The Shingles Shot
While Original Medicare Medicare Part A and Part B does not cover the cost of the shingles vaccine, or Shingrix , you can purchase private plans Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D plans that do cover the cost.
It is important to note that even if your Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D plan covers the shingles shot, you may have a copayment or other out-of-pocket costs to pay. Check with your plan for particular details.
Medicare Part D prescription drug plans cover all commercially available vaccinations, except for those already covered under Original Medicare. But these plans will pay only if the vaccinations are considered reasonable and necessary to prevent illness.
Vaccines Covered by Medicare Part D Plans
- Shingles vaccine
Medicare Advantage plans may include a Part D component that covers these shots.
Medicare Part B medical insurance, included in Original Medicare, pays for only a few types of vaccines.
Vaccines Covered by Medicare Part B
- COVID-19 vaccine
- Pneumococcal vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Vaccines related to treatment of an injury or exposure to a disease or condition
Shingles Vaccinations Not Covered For Some Medicare Beneficiaries
By Michelle AndrewsSeptember 10, 2012
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Do I Have To Pay For Vaccines With Medicare
You pay nothing for vaccines covered by Part B flu, pneumonia and Hepatitis B as long as your provider accepts Medicare.
Your cost for vaccines covered by Part D will depend on your specific plan. You may pay a copay or coinsurance, but it will depend on your plan and the provider.
The location where you get vaccinated may also affect your cost. For example, your costs may be lower if you get a vaccine at a pharmacy versus in a doctors office.
Why Do I Need A Tetanus Shot
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tetanus is an infection that can be life threatening if left untreated. It is caused by a bacteria that thrives in dirt, soil, and feces, which can enter the skin through a cut or puncture wound in the skin. The infection can cause your muscles to painfully tighten, so that you have difficulty opening your mouth, swallowing, or even breathing.
Fortunately, a vaccination is available. The tetanus shot protects individuals from developing the tetanus infection if they are exposed to contaminated material. Infants and children receive the immunization as part of the DTap shot, which includes vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Adults who were fully immunized with the TDAP vaccine as children should receive a tetanus booster shot every 10 years to maintain immunity those who did not get the shot when they were younger may receive the TDAP shot as adults.
Your health-care provider may recommend a tetanus shot or TDAP vaccine if it has been 10 years since your last tetanus booster or even earlier if you are at high risk for developing the infection, such as after an injury with a contaminated item.
Serious side effects from the tetanus shot are extremely rare, especially in adults. You may experience some redness or tenderness at the injection site. Contact your health-care provider immediately if you experience any of the following, as they may be signs of a severe allergic reaction:
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Where Can I Get More Information About Medicare Coverage For The Tetanus Shot
If you have questions about Medicare coverage for prescription drugs, including the TDAP vaccine, I am happy to assist you click the View profile link to learn more about me. To schedule a phone call or request a personalized email, click one of the buttons below. Learn more about Medicare plan options available in your area by clicking the Compare Plans button.
For more information on the tetanus vaccine, see:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tetanus: Make Sure Your Family is Protected, last updated June 29, 2015.
This website and its contents are for informational purposes only. Nothing on this website should ever be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always consult with your medical provider regarding diagnosis or treatment for a health condition, including decisions about the correct medication for your condition, as well as prior to undertaking any specific exercise or dietary routine.
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Vaccines Covered By Medicare
Vaccines are essential for preventing diseases and keeping you healthy. Because vaccines may become less effective over time, you should consult your doctor about how often you take specific ones.
Medicare Part B is the portion of original Medicare that pays for medical expenses. It also includes various immunizations. These are some examples:
- Hepatitis B immunizations .
- Pneumonia vaccines.
- Vaccines used for the treatment of an injury .
- Immunizations used to reduce your chances of contracting a condition or disease.
Shots and vaccines that Medicare Parts A and B do not cover, but Part D does include:
- The Zoster vaccines.
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis vaccines.
- MMR vaccines.
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Conditions For The Coverage Of Prescription Drugs
Generally, the public plan covers the prescription drugs:
- Specified on the List of Medications
- Prescribed by health professionals
- Purchased in Québec from a pharmacist
- Sold at the lowest price
When you purchase prescription drugs that are covered under the public plan, you usually pay a portion of their cost: the contribution. To find out more, refer to the webpage Amount to pay for prescription drugs.
Which drugs are covered
The Minister of Health and Social Services selects which drugs are covered following consultations with the Institut national dexcellence en santé et en services sociaux . The Minister also decides on the replacements for covered drugs that are out of stock. To find out more, refer to the page Drug Products Undergoing Evaluation and Evaluated on the website of INESSS.
