Why Does Medicare Not Cover Shingles Vaccine

Part a which deals with hospital costs doesn t cover shingles shots either.
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. En espaƱol 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. You may have a copay to get the vaccine and an additional fee if you haven t yet met your deductible. Medicare part b covers a small handful of vaccines for the flu hepatitis b and the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine.
On the other hand medicare part d or a medicare advantage plan that includes part d coverage typically does cover the vaccine. Medicare coverage for shingrix and zostavax the two commercially available. That s because the federal program that insures most seniors in the u s. Contact your medicare drug plan for more information about coverage.
People with traditional medicare may purchase a separate part d drug plan while medicare advantage plans sold by private insurers typically include prescription coverage. Here s the quick answer. Medicare part a hospital insurance or medicare part b medical insurance doesn t cover the shingles shot. Generally medicare prescription drug plans part d cover all commercially available vaccines like the shingles shot needed to prevent illness.
The devil is in the details. 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. Read on to learn.