Can anyone expain this?

[alizesmom]

I called the PCP to see if flu shots were out yet. They said they had some and then asked what insurance Alize had. I told them medical assistance and was told that the ones the state sends out aren't there yet. I offered to pay and was told that they hadn't set a price yet. Then I had my nurse call (her kids have Blue Cross/Blue Shield). They asked the same thing and told her that the shot her insurance pays for isn't there yet. Is there more than one flu shot? Karen

[Mom2TwinsPlus1]

Our state is the same way, medicad will pay for so many a year, I was told last year medicad approves so many and then that amount is shipped and ear marked for use for medicad patients only. Usually our medicad ones get here before the reg ones do. Not sure how everyone elses work though

[Jacob's Mom]

The same thing happened to me and I've been meaning to get an answer. Jacob's ped left a message that they were in. When I called back to make an appt, she asked what insurance we have and verified that the vaccines were in for BCBS patients. Hmmm....

[Mom2TwinsPlus1]

Just a thought, becauese my friend used to be an office manager at our peds office, I wish I could ask her but she is an angel now. Anyway, she was constantly getting approval for things from the companies. Maybe the shots are all one and the same and they mean the approval for payment by the company for flu shots is in? I know some medical insurances don't cover flu shots, our nursing companies insurance does not. Just a thought

[drct1245]

That's weird... b/c I received a call from my peds office saying they had their first shipment for those who needed it most and they said to call back and say they that I was contacted by them! ??? :confused:

[Christamae]

There are different size shots and the new, popular, alternative nasal spray.

The nasal spray can only be used on healthy people over a certain age (2 or 6-can't remember)

The baby shots are a different dosage. Two years ago, my doctor didn't get the shots and the outreach ucsf clinic's host doctor's office gave me two baby sized shots.

My primary care doc said that only so many are made and then there are limits as to how many each city or region can get-so it's very competitive. You have to order 8-10 months in advance.

Crazy.

[WeAdoptKids]

We are getting ours free tomorrow. This is the third year in a row that I am aware of that Carson City has done this. It is part of the state readiness program. It is to demonstrate how well they could get the word out if an epidemic came about and they had to vaccinate mass amount of people. I am all for it. :D

Due to the needs of our family, they have allowed us to fill out the forms in advance and they are now doing a drive through for anyone with a handicap placard. That will be fun. :rolleyes:

Before that the same thing happened to us. Merrill and I were able to get our flu shots, but the children on Medicaid had to wait till their shipment came in.

Roberta

[Mom2TwinsPlus1]

The kids always get theirs first here, on medicad.They are really good about getting them early. The girls have an appt like the 18th I think and we will see if they have it ready then. Their ped normally calls me the minute they get in the door, he always has even before I had Emma. I think because my friend used to work in the office so I am friends with everyone there.Dad and I usually get ours at the health dept for free, they are doing that on Nov 1 this year for adults, and a diffrent day for kids I think.

Kids dose is .5mls
adults is 1 ml.

The doctor told me that the nasal spray is a no-no for any of our kids because its live vaccine and can make you sick, in turn making everyone else in the house sick too if they havent been protected by a shot. He said the nasal stuff should be done as very last resort.

Not last year but the year before I got mine at home, lets just say it pays to know nurses who work at doctors offices and leave it at that. :-)

[Isaac'sMomandDad]

I know it's confusing isn't it?

Many offices have two sources of vaccine, one that is from the 'state' and is paid for by the state. The state contracts with the manufacturer to get a certain price for the vaccine. Those supplies are ordered and shipped separately than 'private' vaccine.

'private' vaccine is for those with private insurance. It's the same medication, just the office buys directly from the manufacturer, so often gets shipped 'before' the state.

The nasal spray is now approved for kids two and over. It is a live vaccine, it is supposed to be more effective then the shot which is a 'killed' vaccine.

Flu shots are recommended for any one with chronic illness (especially lung issues, so that's all our kids), any child six months to five years, and house hold contacts of people with chronic illnesses or young kids.

Dose for infants 6-35 months is 0.25ml
I believe 36 months and up is 0.5ml

Probably more info then you wanted....

Lara

[alizesmom]

Thanks guys. Karen

[Kaylie]

somehow i wanna say i have heard about that before. Kaylie has blue cross and i think i remember one year that their supply was not in.. but you should be able to pay if thats what you want, i mean thats your choice, they may not have any extra doses, but it does seem strange..