Get your free flu shot!
More than 200,000 people are hospitalized each year for the seasonal flu and complications caused by seasonal flu.1 Reduce your risk: Get an annual flu shot.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) wants to make it easy for you to stay healthy this flu season. Blue KC will pay 100 percent of the allowable charge2 for the seasonal flu vaccine and its administration if you receive your flu shot from an in-network medical provider.
Where can you go for the vaccine?
- Network Doctor’s Office
Many primary care providers and pediatrician practices offer flu shots for their patients3. Contact your doctor’s office to find out if and when flu shots will be provided. - Minute Clinic (located in some CVS pharmacies)
Visit www.minuteclinic.com or call 1-866-389-2727 for more information. This option is not available to Blue4U members. - Take Care Clinic (located in some Walgreens pharmacies)
Visit www.takecarehealth.com or call 1-866-825-3227 for more information. This option is not available to Blue4U members.
Flu shots provided by out-of-network medical providers are subject to your out-of-network benefit level and applicable deductible and coinsurance. Out-of-network benefits are not part of HMO member benefits. HMO members should receive a flu shot from an in-network provider.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated against the flu. For more information about this year’s flu vaccine, visit the CDC’s flu website.
Other Tips to help you avoid the flu:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Or cough or sneeze into your arm or sleeve if a tissue isn’t handy.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth so you don’t spread germs.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people
1 "Key Facts About Seasonal Influenza (Flu)." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September 2010, http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm (June 2011)
2 Does not apply to Blue-Advantage Plus members. If your plan is self-funded by your employer, Blue KC provides administrative claim payment services only. Please check your benefits summary.
3 Flu shots are a covered benefit. There are no out-of-pocket expenses associated with getting a flu shot. However, if you receive medical services in addition to the vaccine, an office visit copayment, deductible or coinsurance may apply.