Natasha Menezes

On the EBN News Benefit website, Lyndell C. Bridgeford wrote and posted an enlightening article discussing the H1N1 virus. According to the article, the Employee Benefit Research Institute released a fact sheet in Q & A format highlighting information that may be helpful to employers, employees and organizations pertaining to health insurance coverage specific to the H1N1 virus and seasonal flu shots.

Bridgeford continued to outline that a nation-wide campaign was launched by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with the goal of immunizing a minimum of half the country’s population against the H1N1 virus. As stated by Bridgeford, the government acquired approximately 250 million doses of the vaccine, paying $2 billion dollars for the doses.

The article then gave details on the Officials at EBRI; a non-partisan group. In relation to the approach of the seasonal flu and warnings about a pandemic, this group believes that there were a great deal of questions and concerns concerning employment-based health coverage and H1N1 shots. As a outcome, EBRI assembled a list of questions and answers of concerns that employers may have regarding the H1N1 vaccinations and health insurance.

Below are some examples of the questions and concerns put forward as written by Bridgeford.

“Q: Will insurance plans cover H1N1 flu shots?

A: This year, the government is paying for the cost of the H1N1 vaccine. Large insurers in Missouri and Illinois have announced they will cover all H1N1 flu shot costs (including physician fees), and others may follow.


Q: Are seasonal flu shots covered by employer-based health coverage?

A: Coverage may be part of insurance plans, but this is a matter negotiated between employers and insurers. Employees should check with their insurer to determine coverage for flu shots and what co-payments may apply.


Q: Are there options for obtaining free seasonal or H1N1 shots if my insurer does not cover them?

A: The situation is evolving, but press reports indicate local officials in many areas are trying to organize clinics at schools and other places. The timing and availability may depend, in particular, on the availability of the H1N1 vaccine. Your local health department is a good place to check for information.


Q: Where can I get more information about the H1N1 flu and preparations to address it?

- The Congressional Research Service, an arm of the U.S. Congress, covers these and other details in a paper titled "The 2009 Influenza Pandemic: An Overview."

- Information about the seasonal and H1N1 flu is not only posted on the CDC’s Web site, but also on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Web site.

- The World Health Organization, which has declared the global spread of the H1N1 flu to be a flu pandemic (a widespread epidemic that affects people in many different countries), has numerous documents on its Web site about the flu.”