Oct. 23, 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a yearly flu vaccine for most people 6 months and older as the first and most important action in reducing the risk of flu and its potentially serious outcomes. We encourage you to educate our members about flu risks and the benefits of annual flu vaccinations. We’ve created resources to help.
Why are flu vaccines important? Flu infection can cause serious problems for young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions, such as asthma and heart disease. Annual flu vaccination may help prevent illness and reduce illness severity, hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions, according to the CDC. Check the CDC website for the most recent updates on the 2024-25 flu vaccines.
Tips to consider: Discussing the following with our members may help them feel more informed:
- The vaccine’s benefits and effectivenes
- Side effects that could occur after receiving the vaccine
- Flu symptoms
- Patients' concerns regarding the vaccine
Always check eligibility and benefits first for each member at every visit. Flu shots are typically covered as a preventive service, but there may be some exceptions. If you have questions, call the number on the member’s ID card.
For Illinois Medicaid: Getting a flu shot is a part of the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) measure for HealthChoice Child members up to age 2 years.
Member incentive: Members of Blue Cross Community Health PlansSM who are ages 6 months to 2 years and complete their series of flu vaccination may be eligible for a HealthMine incentive. Remind your patients to take advantage of this incentive by logging into BCCHP IL RewardsSM.
Community resource: Each year, our Care Van® Program helps build healthy communities by providing more than 10,000 immunizations. Learn more about the program on our website.
HEDIS is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
The above material is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician or other health care provider. Physicians and other health care providers are encouraged to use their own medical judgment based upon all available information and the condition of the patient in determining the appropriate course of treatment. References to other third-party sources or organizations are not a representation, warranty or endorsement of such organization. The fact that a service or treatment is described in this material, is not a guarantee that the service or treatment is a covered benefit and members should refer to their certificate of coverage for more details, including benefits, limitations and exclusions. Regardless of benefits, the final decision about any service or treatment is between the member and their health care provider.