How can we get insurance companies to cover booster shots for adults? And doctor's to routinely...

[heathergirl67]

As someone who believes very much in the usefulness of vaccines to keep everyone healthy, I would really love to see every adult (who does not object) getting regular booster shots to maintain our herd immunity. I feel that we are protecting ourselves and we are also best able to maintain a level of protection for those who need it most, namely children and the immuno-compromised. However, it seems that most adults have no awareness of their need to maintain a schedule of booster shots throughout their lifetimes. Even worse, IMO, most doctors don't seem to bring it up to their patients. I feel that it may be because many insurance companies won't cover boosters for adults, so most doctors don't even bother asking their patients to get a shot because they know that the cost would be prohibitive. Ideally, I would like every insurance company to be forced to cover adult boosters and every doctor's office to have a computer system that reminds the doctor when it's time for a patient's booster shot, as many do with the flu shot. How can we make this happen? I know insurance companies aren't going to just start offering to cover adult boosters out of the goodness of their hearts, so how can we insist that they do so? Would it require legislature, enough pressure from the doctors, or is there something that we could do at the patient level?

[Mosaic]

My insurance does cover flu shots, with no copay, even. They send out annual mailings in the late summer/fall reminding folks of it as well. I also know of several doctors recommending pertussis boosters for new parents or, of course, tetanus with some kinds of injuries.

I wonder if part of it is because there really aren't that many adult vaxes/boosters that are recommended for everyone:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/adult/adult-schedule-easy-read.pdf

[serenbat]

real UNIVERSAL health care and this county will not go for that!

if they don't feel woman should have birth control (and reality is some do not use it for birth control yet people don't even get that!!!)  do you honestly feel they would buy that we should be for vaccines for adults? in the minds of most they feel vaccines work 101% and  see no need for this---we want cuts, cuts and cuts, do you really feel most people care that the old woman gets shingles vs a cut to headstart? we don't care for people in general in this country we are not going to be covering vaccines anytime soon-IMO

this country is not in the mind set to do this and most insurances will not do any more than they have to, this really is a greater problem, not just coverage but care, it's not a priority and I don't see it being any time soon

my insurance will not cover it, nor will the cover a delay visit for a child-they are not required and only will cover what they are forced to do, given how many complain (we are a group) about the cost, I know many that feel if you have a kid they don't want to pay for you to do what you want let alone an adults

[chickabiddy]

My insurance -- and it is definitely not a "Cadillac" policy -- covers flu shots and boosters.

[Honey693]

Ours covers flu shots and boosters.  I was surprised b/c our insurance, while not complete crap, isn't fantastic either.

[Dakotacakes]

I think  alot of the problem is the tremendous variation in healthcare in this country.  I have had four insurance companies over my adult life.   2 of them covered boosters and 2 didn't.  Aggravating.  Thankfully, my insurance company now covers them all 100%.  Though I personally get my flu shot at the pharmacy and pay the fee because it is more convenient than driving to the clinic.

I think the way is to have more regulation on insurance.