Will Medicare Pay for Shingrix?

[parkroad22]

Apparently NOT.

Plans, availability and prices change every day.

If you're not interested, don't read this thread anymore.

[somarco]

If your drug plan provides a copay that is less than $150 per shot, go with it. Otherwise pay cash.

You don't NEED a drug plan to get the Shringrix vaccination.

Check prices in your area. Costco in Atlanta offered the drug for around $140 per shot a year or so ago.

GoodRx pricing currently has it at $151 at select pharmacy's.

GSK has a coupon that may allow you to obtain the medication at a lower copay.

https://www.gskforyou.com/vaccines-patient-assistance/

This thread is almost 2 years old with over 50 responses. Time to move on.

[michaele325563]

The asnwer is NO unless you happen to enroll in a Part D plan that covers it, or if you are in an Advantage Plan that covers it. I have the AARP Medigap plan and they don't cover it.

I found one Part D plan that covered it, but the plan only provide 50% reimbrsement, and the premium for that plan is $500 higher than the others, so you end-up paying more in the end.

[michaele325563]

No it was not covered. I have AARP Medicare Supplement  Plan F and it does not cover vaccinations. My claim was denied. I also have a prescription Plan D and it also did not cover Shingrix.  So I had to pay $300 for two shots. Just shows you that all the talk about the focus on providing preventive care is just BS. 

[parkroad22]

...

[saltcitybabe]

 I had my first Shingrex shot in October 2018 and the second May 2019.  There was an extreme shortage during this period.  I would go with science always before none scientific comments.  If it were not for science, most of us would not have lived long enough to be in this conversation.  

[VivianR375175]

No, he WAS probably talking about the old vaccine because it has been years since we discussed it.

[saltcitybabe]

Yes.  I had my first and second shots at the Salt Lake County Health Department and filled out the paper work, that I got on line and sent it in.  In both cases, I was reimbursed all but about $50 each vaccination.  At that time, there was a waiting list for the vaccine.  I think you can now get it in participating pharmacies for a little less.  

[rqbii]

It's almost certain your doctor was talking about Zostavax, the older live virus vaccine against shingles.  It's only 50% effective in preventing shingles.   Shingrix, a newer vaccine is over 90% effective, which is hardly inneffective.   If your doctor didn't make a distinction between the two, you should find another doctor....

[parkroad22]

I have AARP Complete Medicare Advantage and went to CVS last week, $47 for 1st shot, and I believe the same for the 2nd dose later on.