Does Humana Cover Flu Shots?
- Humana Medicare Advantage plans cover flu shots, as flu shots are required to be covered by all Medicare Part C plans. Learn more about the other benefits of Humana Medicare plans and how you can enroll in a plan where you live.
The CDC recommends all eligible individuals 6 months of age and older receive a flu shot every year. But will your Humana Medicare Advantage plan cover the flu shot?
The answer is yes. Flu shots are required to be covered by all Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans, such as Humana Medicare plans. So rest assured that your Humana Medicare Advantage plans covers your flu shot.
You can use the CDC flu shot finder tool or the Humana Find a Doctor tool to locate a vaccine site near you.
When Does Humana Pay for Flu Shots?
Humana Medicare Advantage plans cover an annual flu shot in full, meaning you will not be charged a copayment or have a deductible applied, provided that you adhere to the network restrictions of the plan and other conditions.
Your Humana Medicare Advantage plan evidence of coverage will detail exactly how your flu shot will be covered, along with how your Humana Medicare plan covers other vaccines, such as hepatitis B shots and pneumococcal shots.
Humana Medicare Advantage plans are bound by a federal law that requires all Medicare Advantage plans to provide coverage for everything covered by Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B). And if Original Medicare covers the service in full, the Medicare Advantage plan must as well, provided that certain restrictions are met.
Flu shots are covered in full by Medicare Part B if the health care provider administering the shot accepts Medicare assignment, meaning they accept Medicare’s reimbursement as full payment.
It’s important to remember though that a standalone Humana Medicare Part D plan or a Humana Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plan will not cover your flu shot. Part D plans cover prescription drugs and do include certain vaccines, but not the flu shot.
And Medigap plans do not cover any vaccines or medications. If you have Medicare Part B along with your Part D or Medigap plan, your Part B benefits will cover your flu shot.
In addition requiring you to see an in-network provider for your flu shot, your Humana plan may have certain other restrictions such as the time of year you receive the shot and whether or not the shot was part of an appointment that included other services. Always check directly with your plan for confirmation of coverage.
How Do I Get a Flu Shot Covered by Humana?
You may use the CDC flu shot finder tool mentioned above for a list of locations throughout the U.S. that administer flu vaccines. However, a Humana insurance plan may require you to receive your shot from an in-network provider to get full coverage and avoid any copay charges.
To do so, use the Humana Find a Pharmacy tool to locate a Humana participating pharmacy in your area. Then schedule a flu shot appointment with the pharmacy most convenient to you to ensure that you’ll be maximizing your benefits.
You may also use the Humana Find a Doctor tool to locate a Humana participating doctor or clinic that may offer flu shots.
Who Should Get the Flu Shot?
The CDC recommends almost everyone age 6 months and older get a flu shot annually. The CDC especially encourages children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, pregnant women, those of certain races or ethnic groups and anyone with a chronic condition or weakened immune system to get a flu shot each year.
The CDC advises even healthy people to get vaccinated. Although a healthy person may experience only mild flu symptoms or no symptoms at all, they can still be a carrier of the flu virus and spread it to more vulnerable people who may be susceptible to serious symptoms.
The flu shot is not advised for children under 6 months old or individuals with life-threatening allergies to flu ingredients. The CDC recommends speaking to your doctor before getting a flu shot if you have an allergy to eggs or any other ingredient in the flu vaccine, have ever had Guillain-Barre Syndrome or have had a previous severe allergic reaction to a flu shot.
For more information about the flu and the flu vaccine, consult our Complete Guide to the Flu Season and Flu Vaccine.
Compare Humana Medicare Advantage plans available where you live today to find a plan that covers flu shots, hospital and medical benefits and more, all for a monthly premium as low as $0.
