Shingles shots

[Shimpy]

Wife and I went to Walgreens a couple days ago for shingles shots and was informed that medicare doesn't cover it and our Cigna sup. policy doesn't either. They said the cost would be $225 for each of us.
Is there any clinic or place that gives these shots for less than that?

[gomoho]

Sad isn't it?

[John_W]

Are you a veteran? I got a shingles shot last Wednesday at the VA clinic and it was free, also the flu shot as well.

[tommy steam]

Are you a veteran? I got a shingles shot last Wednesday at the VA clinic and it was free, also the flu shot as well.

That is great information.

[graciegirl]

Ask at Publix. Sometimes the people on duty get things confused. We didn't have to pay last year.

[blueeagle65]

It cost me $ 250, but it is a once ever inoculation.

[lovsthosebigdogs]

My insurance didn't pay for it either and I had to pay $250. While it is a LOT of money, I know people who have had shingles and the agony of postherpetic neuralgia that can come with it and I would pay whatever it costs NOT to have to deal with that for the rest of my life.

[obxgal]

Hubby went to Walgreen's last year for shingle shot and they also were going to charge him that fee but told him if he got a prescription from his doctor it would be covered. Got the prescription, took it to Walgreen's and medicare covered it.

[CFrance]

The shingles shot isn’t covered by Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) or Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). Generally, Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D) cover all commercially-available vaccines (like the shingles shot) needed to prevent illness. Contact your Medicare drug plan for more information about coverage.

My husband did not have to pay for his.

[Radioman41]

My Blue Cross covered the entire amount.

[CFrance]

My insurance didn't pay for it either and I had to pay $250. While it is a LOT of money, I know people who have had shingles and the agony of postherpetic neuralgia that can come with it and I would pay whatever it costs NOT to have to deal with that for the rest of my life.
I agree, ltbd. Our son's father-in-law got shingles in 2009 and is still suffering from lingering side effects. I was advised at age 60 to get the shot. Insurance companies won't cover it then because they want you to wait till you're 65 and get it kicked over to medicare prescription coverage, according to my doctor at the time. But I'd seen enough of the devastation caused by shingles.

[Nursebarb1]

The shingles vaccine is covered under Medicare Part D, prescription drug plan, so check into your benefits under Part D. My husband and I have different plans and his paid more than mine since he has a higher premium. You get what you pay for. Either way, it was not totally covered, but defintely worth it. I'm not sure how it works if you have a Medicare Advantage plan.

[manaboutown]

I got mine before I was 65. My (expensive) PPO Blue Cross plan failed to cover it so I forked over $200. Both my mother and an aunt (my father's sister) had suffered from shingles. In no way do I want to go through what they went through!

[jblum315]

My shingles shot was covered. I have Medicare and an AARP Medicare Supplement plan

[graciegirl]

Now that I think of it, we had to bring a prescription from our doctor. THEN it was covered.

[Cisco Kid]

Same here on coverage.
Had them.
If you have to sell a kidney to pay for it.
Do it.
Mine were on the right side on my face, trying to get to the eye.
I still feel the pain from time to time.

[PR1234]

I was told by BCBS I had to wait for my 60th birthday. Last Dec I turned 60, went to Walgreens here in TV as we are snowbirds, got the shot, turned in the correct paperwork. OH wait..... BC/BS now says sorry you needed to get that done in MI!!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Trying to look on the bright side, we have the money to pay and I certainly wanted to prevent it.

[Sandtrap328]

I got mine for no cost at the VA Clinic. Same thing for the pneunomia shot.

[Waverunner]

I was changing insurance companies last year (for this year) and wanted to get a shingles shot before the end of the year. (If there is a preventative vaccine, I believe in getting it, plus there was new information coming out recommending this vaccine at a younger age.) I was traveling out of my home state to TV and my physician offered to call in a prescription when I decided where I would have this administered. It was around the Christmas holidays and I could not find a walk-in place around TV that would do this. I learned that FL has some sort of regulation that prevents places like Publix and CVS from administering a shingles shot to a person under the age of 60. ????? I would have had to find the equivalent of a primary care physician to get the shot, which was not going to happen with the holidays.

I finally got my shingles shot earlier this year, in Georgia, at my local Costco. I expected to pay right around $200. Regardless of my new high deductible health plan, I have zero co-pay, and since this is considered preventative, it was covered 100% by our Blue Cross plan. A pleasant surprise and now done.

The postscript to this is that my 35 year old son was diagnosed with shingles this summer.

[Mudder]

By all means get the shot. HOWEVER that does not mean you will never get Shingles, but if you do get Shingles it will probably be milder rather than severe. Had the shot two years ago and last year contracted a slightly different condition that comes from the same virus as does Shingles. No fun and still feeling the effects probably forever.

[Sandtrap328]

I was changing insurance companies last year (for this year) and wanted to get a shingles shot before the end of the year. (If there is a preventative vaccine, I believe in getting it, plus there was new information coming out recommending this vaccine at a younger age.) I was traveling out of my home state to TV and my physician offered to call in a prescription when I decided where I would have this administered. It was around the Christmas holidays and I could not find a walk-in place around TV that would do this. I learned that FL has some sort of regulation that prevents places like Publix and CVS from administering a shingles shot to a person under the age of 60. ????? I would have had to find the equivalent of a primary care physician to get the shot, which was not going to happen with the holidays.

I finally got my shingles shot earlier this year, in Georgia, at my local Costco. I expected to pay right around $200. Regardless of my new high deductible health plan, I have zero co-pay, and since this is considered preventative, it was covered 100% by our Blue Cross plan. A pleasant surprise and now done.

The postscript to this is that my 35 year old son was diagnosed with shingles this summer.

Be sure to say "Thank you" to the Affordable Care Act. Preventative shots are covered by it.

[rosygail]

My insurance paid for the shot and I had it in November 2012. In January 2013 I got shingles and I am still suffering the aftereffects! Remember, even with the shot you can still get shingles. It is not 100% effective!

[marianne237]

I got shingles after we moved here 10 years ago. Would not want to wish that pain and aggravation on even my worst enemy (well maybe). Have firmly stated to everyone I know, even my bone-headed brother, to get the d### shot. Yes, your insurance may not cover it, but you don't want to suffer through it. Believe me, it's the worst thing I've ever had. Cancer chemo and radiation were not as bad as shingles. And on occasion, I still have post-neuralgia pain.

Get the shot.

[Shimpy]

Thanks for all the informative posts. I know that getting the shot isn't a guarantee to avoid shingles and getting it is worse than anyone can imagine. As I remember as a kid, my brother got chicken pox and I never got it. My doctor still recommends getting the shot since I was exposed. My wife has no idea if she had chicken pox or not.
Thanks for the suggestion to get a script from the doctor. I'll call her Monday for sure. As far as using the VA, I can't get medical care due to income verses expenses.
We'll get the shots for sure even if we have to paye $450 for them.

[rubicon]

Be sure to say "Thank you" to the Affordable Care Act. Preventative shots are covered by it.

Sandtrap: My wife got the shingles shot some three years ago and it was covered.

[rubicon]

I had shingles about ten years ago and it is a long term battle