Question regarding insurance companies and vaccinations

[fawnanddoe]

Can an insurance company give you crap if you don't vaccinate? can you be denied insurance if you have unvaccinated children?
I am just curious! We won't be vaccinating until at least 18-24 months, and even then it will be extremely selective, so we won't be fully vaccinating at all. I am purchasing private insurance as soon as baby is born and I am wondering if they will hassle me about it, or if I switch insurance companies down the road if it could be an issue

[Gladiolus]

I've dealt with 2 different private insurance companies and neither have given me any troubles. Although, I kind of remember getting a couple little post-card vaccine reminders in the mail - but I can't remember if that was from the state or the insurance company - either way - they went in the trash.
I'm curious if anyone has had any issues though.

[MyBoyAramis]

I've been dealing with Medicaid and private insurance. The private insurance doesn't bother me regarding vaccines. The Medicaid however sent a post-card and called me about my son's "missed" vaccines. However, on the message AND post-card they both stated that they were funded by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. Other than that, no problems. He's still covered.

However, I do wonder how would Wyeth know that my son "missed" vaccines. The insurance companies are not allowed to give that info...right? Or are the pharmaceutical companies just guessing and calling/mailing to whoever?

[poppan]

I'm just now learning about the existence of state immunization registries. I don't see how the pharmaceutical company would have reason to have access to that though.

Example of a state immunization registry:
http://www.ca-siis.org/

[alegna]

PRIVATE insurance indeed can refuse you or drop you for any reason. Insurance through a company or the government can not.

-Angela

[fawnanddoe]

Originally Posted by alegna

PRIVATE insurance indeed can refuse you or drop you for any reason. Insurance through a company or the government can not.

-Angela

Do you know if you need to disclose vaccination information to your insurance company? I know they can drop or refuse you, but will they ask me about vaccinations?


It's good to know that other people haven't had an issue. Of course it doesn't surprise me that a pharma company is tied to an insurance company and sending out vaccination postcards. Worst case scenario we would just have to eventually get back on DH's group insurance, hopefully if it comes to that he works for a company with better insurance, or his company changes what insurance they use!

[alegna]

Originally Posted by fawnanddoe

Do you know if you need to disclose vaccination information to your insurance company? I know they can drop or refuse you, but will they ask me about vaccinations?


It's good to know that other people haven't had an issue. Of course it doesn't surprise me that a pharma company is tied to an insurance company and sending out vaccination postcards. Worst case scenario we would just have to eventually get back on DH's group insurance, hopefully if it comes to that he works for a company with better insurance, or his company changes what insurance they use!

They may or may not ask. If they ask, you would have to disclose.

-Angela