Members didn’t know flu shots are covered
Flu season prompts reminders for vaccination

Only one quarter of members at high risk for complications from influenza had a flu shot last year, according to CareOregon claims data.

“The main reason members don’t get flu shots was they didn’t know a flu shot is a covered benefit,” says Denise Johnson, CareOregon Health Education Coordinator. Immunizations, including the annual influenza vaccination, are provided to all CareOregon members with no additional charge to the member, she says.

“We’re making an extra effort to make sure those members 65 and older and those with asthma and diabetes are informed,” Denise says.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an average of 36,000 Americans die of influenza complications every year. Children are more likely to get the disease, but the death rate is higher among older people and people with medical conditions that place them at higher risk. Flu shots have been shown to be effective in reducing the rate of hospitalization and death among older people. (See related story.)

Outreach to vulnerable members

All members received the message in CareLink, the member newsletter sent last month. Additionally, about 11,000 CareOregon members fit the higher-risk criteria, including those with heart disease. They were sent a postcard reminder of flu season and flu shots, and their PCPs were notified.

Members can get flu shots during incidental visits to their providers. They can also go to flu shot clinics in the community, such as those offered by national and regional pharmacy chains (children younger than 15 years may not receive flu shots from a drug store).

CareOregon will also pay for FluMist intranasal vaccine. However, this vaccine is limited to healthy children 2 and older and adults younger than 50 who are healthy and not pregnant. (See related story.)

Visit the CDC web site for information about the 2007–2008 flu vaccine and the list of those people at high-risk of complications.’