Why Does Medicare Not Cover Shingles Vaccine

Surprisingly original medicare parts a and b doesn t cover the shingles vaccine even though it covers other vaccines like the flu vaccine and pneumonia shot.

Why does medicare not cover shingles vaccine.

Here s the quick answer. Generally medicare prescription drug plans part d cover all commercially available vaccines like the shingles shot needed to prevent illness. If you re covered by medicare you may feel the pain of a shingles shot more in your wallet than in your arm. While original medicare medicare part a and part b does not cover the shingles vaccine called shingrix some medicare advantage plans and some medicare part d plans may offer coverage for the vaccine.

Each plan may cover the vaccine differently. Medicare part a hospital insurance or medicare part b medical insurance doesn t cover the shingles shot. Part a which deals with hospital costs doesn t cover shingles shots either. People with traditional medicare may purchase a separate part d drug plan while medicare advantage plans sold by private insurers typically include prescription coverage.

You may have a copay to get the vaccine and an additional fee if you haven t yet met your deductible. Original medicare does not cover the cost of the shingles vaccine. En español unlike some common vaccines like those for the flu hepatitis b and pneumonia shingles shots are not covered under medicare part b the component of original medicare that includes doctor visits and outpatient services. Medicare part b covers a small handful of vaccines for the flu hepatitis b and the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine.

Read on to learn. On the other hand medicare part d or a medicare advantage plan that includes part d coverage typically does cover the vaccine. Contact your medicare drug plan for more information about coverage. That s because the federal program that insures most seniors in the u s.