What Are The Complications Of Shingles
The most common and lasting complication of shingles is nerve pain, whats called postherpetic neuralgia , which can last for months or even years, long after the rash has cleared up. According to the CDC, between 10% and 18% of people whove had shingles will develop PHN.
PHN is a stabbing or throbbing pain or weakness where the shingles rash had been. The risk increases with age and the pain lasts longer and is more severe than in younger people.8
In rare cases, shingles can develop into pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness and brain inflammation.9 Only 1% to 4% of people with shingles are hospitalized for complications, though these are typically older adults and people whose immune systems are weak or suppressed, and fewer than 100 people die from shingles each year.10
Who Should Get The Shingles Vaccine
Healthy adults over the age of 50 should receive two doses of Shingrix, though there is no maximum age for Shingrix. Doses should be separated by two to six months. People should still get the Shingrix vaccine even if theyve had shingles previously, received the Zostavax vaccine, or are unsure if they have had chickenpox.
Where And How To Get Vaccinated For Shingles
Medicare requires all Part D plans to cover the shingles vaccine. However, since Part D plans have networks, youll want to be sure you get the vaccine at a pharmacy in the plans network.
Do not get the shingles vaccine at your doctors office. Doctors offices dont have the ability to bill Part D plans. Therefore, getting the vaccine at your doctors office could result in you paying the entire bill and having to submit a reimbursement request to your plan.
Also Check: What Is The Difference Between The Medicare And Medicaid Programs
Read Also: How Long Does Shingles Pain Last After Rash
Don’t Overpay: Advice For Medicare Patients
Three out of four Americans eligible for the shingles vaccination still havent gotten it, according to the CDC. Not surprisingly, a 2015 report from the National Vaccine Program found that one of the main reasons adults skip recommended vaccines is the cost.
If youve been putting off getting your shingles shot because you were quoted a high price, check your Part D plan. You may be able to get it for less.
Confusion about insurance coverage for the vaccine can sometimes result in patients paying more than they should, Avitzur says.
Dont delay, as the consequences of shingles can be devastating, advises Avitzur, a neurologist who has seen firsthand the painful effects of lingering nerve damage.
Your best bet may be to get the shot at a pharmacy in your drug plans network. Youll still need to get a prescription from your doctor, but the pharmacy will bill your insurance company and youll pay the lowest out-of-pocket costs available under your plan.
If you would like to get vaccinated at your doctors office, ask up front about the cost. Does your doctor charge more to administer the shot than your plan allows? If so, youll be on the hook for the difference. Also see whether the office will bill your Part D or Medicare Advantage plan directly or work with a pharmacy in your network to handle the billing.
What Is The Shingrix Vaccine
Previously known as the zoster vaccine, the brand name Shingrix vaccine is the first vaccine for shingles to be approved by the FDA in more than ten years. The vaccine was developed with hopes of increasing the level of protection for aging adults against shingles and its complications. As people age, their immune systems weaken and they become more likely to experience shingles and its complications, which can put people at serious risk. The vaccine is administered into the upper arm as an injection, and people must receive two doses of the vaccine, spread out over a period of two to six months, in order to be protected.
Also Check: How Long Does Shingles Itch Last
How Well Does Shingrix Work
Two doses of Shingrix provide strong protection against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia , the most common complication of shingles.
- In adults 50 to 69 years old with healthy immune systems, Shingrix was 97% effective in preventing shingles in adults 70 years and older, Shingrix was 91% effective.
- In adults 50 years and older, Shingrix was 91% effective in preventing PHN in adults 70 years and older, Shingrix was 89% effective.
- In adults with weakened immune systems, Shingrix was between 68% and 91% effective in preventing shingles, depending on their underlying immunocompromising condition.
In people 70 years and older who had healthy immune systems, Shingrix immunity remained high throughout 7 years following vaccination.
How To Find Out If Your Medicare Plan Covers Shingles Vaccines
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage, or a standalone Part D plan, then you should be covered for the shingles vaccine in many circumstances. But how you find out how much of the cost your plan covers?
First, find out how your insurer categorizes the shingles vaccine on their formulary. A lot of plans list Shingrix on Tier 3 drug as a preferred brand-name drug. Unfortunately, there isnt a generic version of the vaccine, so there isnt much you can do about that.
Second, look up your copay for that tier of drugs. It could range from $0 to over $100 depending on your plan, and depending on whether you get the vaccine in or out of network.
Also, if you havent yet reached the annual deductible for your insurance plan yet, youll have to pay the entire amount out of pocket .
So, while all Part D plans are required to cover the shingles vaccines, the amount that they cover varies widely between insurers.
If youre just signing up for a Medicare plan and expect to get the shingles vaccine within the next year, you can choose a plan that has a lower copay. Or, you can switch plans during the annual open enrollment period to find one that covers it at a better price.
If you currently have private insurance, then it may be a good idea to get the vaccine before enrolling in Medicare, since many private insurers cover it under preventative care.
You May Like: What To Put On Shingles Rash
What Parts Of Medicare Cover The Shingles Vaccine
Original Medicare Part A and Part B doesnt cover the shingles vaccine. However, there are other Medicare plans that may cover at least part of the costs. These include:
- Medicare Part C. Medicare Advantage is a plan you can buy through a private insurance company. It may offer additional benefits not covered by original Medicare, including some preventive services. Many Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage, which would cover the shingles vaccine.
- Medicare Part D. This is the prescription drug coverage portion of Medicare and typically covers commercially available vaccines. Medicare requires Part D plans to cover the shingles shot, but the amount it covers can be very different from plan to plan.
Making Sure Youre covered
There are a few steps you can take to make sure your shingles vaccine is covered if you have Medicare Advantage with drug coverage or Medicare Part D:
- If your doctor cant bill your plan directly, ask your doctor to coordinate with an in-network pharmacy. The pharmacy might be able to give you the vaccine and bill your plan directly.
- File your vaccine bill for reimbursement with your plan if you cant do either of the options above.
If you have to file for reimbursement, youll have to pay the full price of the shot when you get it. Your plan should reimburse you, but the amount covered will vary based on your plan and if the pharmacy was in your network.
Vaccines Covered By Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B covers three important vaccines as part of its preventive care benefits.
Covered vaccines include the following:
- Flu vaccine: Annual vaccine given in one shot before or during flu season, usually November through April
- Pneumonia vaccine: One-time vaccine given in two shots at least one year apart
- Hepatitis B vaccine: One-time vaccine given in two to four shots over one to six months for people who are medium to high risk, including people with diabetes
Part B also covers vaccines you may need if youre exposed to a harmful virus or bacteria by accident. You might need a tetanus shot, for example, if you step on a rusty nail. Or you may need rabies shots if youre bitten by a stray dog.
Read Also: How Long Will My Shingles Last
Does Medicaid Cover Vaccines For Adults
In addition to the COVID-19 vaccine, the CDC recommends 13 vaccines for adults:
-
Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis
-
Meningococcal A, C, W, Y
-
Meningococcal B
-
Haemophilus influenzae type B
Under Medicaid, coverage for these vaccines, and others, depends on the policies of the state you live in. A recent study found that 22 out of 51 state Medicaid programs covered all 13 recommended vaccines.
For those who live outside of those states, there may be free and low-cost vaccine options that can help. Or, if you have coverage but the cost is still too high, a coupon, like those available from GoodRx, may help you save money.
Will Medicare Pay For Shingrix
You are going to want to make sure you have the correct Medicare plan .
BGA Insurance Group can help ensure that you are not surprised by charges you were not expecting. If you believe you need to get certain vaccines or prescription medications, you should contact us immediately to help you select a plan that makes the most sense for you.
Read Also: How Do Adults Get Shingles
What Should I Do If I Have Shingles
If you think you may have shingles, see a doctor as soon as possible and get a professional diagnosis. While some cases are mild and may clear up on their own without treatment, other cases can cause severe pain and require medication to manage.
Its also important to take steps to avoid spreading the virus. The Centers for Disease Control recommends keeping the rash covered and washing your hands often. Avoid touching the rash as much as possible and avoid contact with people who may be at risk, including:
- Premature infants
- Pregnant women who have not had chickenpox or been vaccinated for it
- People with HIV or weakened immune systems due to cancer treatment, organ transplant, or immunosuppressive drugs
Your doctor may recommend antiviral drugs, or simply treating the rash with over-the-counter medication such as calamine lotion to soothe the pain of the blisters. Treatment can reduce the pain and duration of the symptoms, but doesnt cure the disease altogether.
For many seniors, the most painful part of shingles isnt the rash, but post-herpetic neuralgia, which can last a year or more in some cases. Although not everyone who gets shingles will experience post-herpetic neuralgia, it can have a big impact on those that do. Some people develop chronic pain that lasts for years and affects their quality of life.
How Effective Is The Shingrix Vaccine
The effectiveness of the Shingrix vaccine varies depending on the age of the person receiving the vaccine. Shingrix is 97 percent effective at preventing shingles in people between the ages of 50 and 69 who received both doses, while adults aged 70 and older reported 91 percent effectiveness in shingles prevention. Shingrix was able to prevent postherpetic neuralgia, a complication of shingles, in 91 percent of 50 to 69 year olds who received two doses of the vaccination and 89 percent of adults 70 and older who received the vaccine. It should be noted that the risk of shingles and its complications increases as a person ages, but people 70 and older still received a protection rate of 85 percent against the virus in the four years after vaccination.
Read Also: Name Of The Shingles Vaccine
What Is Shingles And How Do You Catch It
Shingles is a painful skin rash that forms on one side of the body. It is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus. Shingles can affect people who have had chickenpox, even if they had the illness long ago.
Once youve had chickenpox, the virus becomes inactive in the body and can reactivate years later. The virus can remain inactive in your nerve roots for many years, and then wake up and travel down the path of a sensory nerve to the skincausing shingles. You may develop shingles more than once in your lifetime.
RELATED: Shingles treatments and medications
Does Medicare Cover The Shingles Vaccine In 2022
En español | No and yes. Medicares Part A and Part B dont cover shingles vaccinations, even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone age 50 and older get the vaccine. Medicare Part B covers some other vaccines as free preventive care, such as the flu and pneumonia vaccines.
With that said, Medicare Part D covers the shingles vaccine, as do private Medicare Advantage plans that include drug coverage. These plans must cover all commercially available vaccines needed to prevent illness, except for those that Part B covers.
In the United States, about 1 in every 3 people are at risk for shingles or herpes zoster, the same virus strain that causes chicken pox. If youve had chicken pox, the virus stays dormant in your system and may reappear as shingles later in life, which is why the vaccine is recommended.
Also Check: Shingles Vaccine Cost For Seniors
Vaccine Manufacturers Patient Assistance Programs
Some pharmaceutical companies that make adult vaccines provide financial aid to uninsured adults who cant afford vaccines. Eligibility for financial aid varies by company but is almost always income-based. Additionally, for some pharmaceutical companies, a healthcare providers office or clinic will be needed to help you submit the financial aid application.
While using a pharmaceutical companys financial aid program, use the brand name of the vaccine rather than the generic or common name to make your web searches easier.
What Is Postherpetic Neuralgia
Shingrix is the only means to get protection from shingles, as well as its most common complication, postherpetic neuralgia . PHN is long-term nerve pain after becoming ill with shingles. PHN occurs in parts of the body where the shingles rash was present. This nerve pain can interfere with daily activities and be debilitating. PHN is most common in older adults rarely do adults under the age of 40 experience PHN.
Two doses of Shingrix are more than 90% effective at preventing shingles, as well as PHN. This protection from two doses will stay above 85% for at least the first four years after receiving the Shingrix vaccination.
Recommended Reading: 30 Year Tamko Heritage Shingles
Does Medicare Cover Shingrix
While Original Medicare Medicare Part A and Part B does not cover the cost of the shingles vaccine, or Shingrix , you can purchase private plans Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D plans that do cover the cost.
It is important to note that even if your Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D plan covers the shingles shot, you may have a copayment or other out-of-pocket costs to pay. Check with your plan for particular details.
Medicare Part D prescription drug plans cover all commercially available vaccinations, except for those already covered under Original Medicare. But these plans will pay only if the vaccinations are considered reasonable and necessary to prevent illness.
Vaccines Covered by Medicare Part D Plans
- Vaccines related to treatment of an injury or exposure to a disease or condition
What Illnesses Does Varicella
Chickenpox first occurs as a blister-like skin rash and fever. It takes from 10-21 days after exposure for someone to develop chickenpox. The sores commonly occur in batches with different stages present at the same time. The blisters usually scab over in 5 days. A person with chickenpox is contagious 1-2 days before the rash appears and until all blisters have formed scabs. Children with weakened immune systems may have blisters occurring for a prolonged time period. Adults can develop severe pneumonia and other serious complications.
Shingles occurs when the virus, which has been inactive for some time, becomes active again. Severe pain and numbness along nerve pathways, commonly on the trunk or on the face, are present. Clusters of blisters appear 1 to 5 days later. The blisters are usually on one side of the body and closer together than in chickenpox. Shingles does not spread as shingles from one person to another. If people who have never had chickenpox come in contact with the fluid from shingles blisters, they can develop chickenpox.
Recommended Reading: How Can Shingles Be Treated
Read Also: What Side Effects Does The Shingles Vaccine Have
What To Know About Medicare And Shingles Vaccine Coverage
-
Vaccinations are an important part of both public and individual health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends various types of vaccines for people throughout their lifetimes, including the tetanus shot and shingles vaccine.
-
While Original Medicare does not cover the shingles vaccine, Medicare Part D, Medicares prescription drug coverage, covers all commercially available shots, including the shingles shot.
-
Medicare Advantage plans may have different coverage options for vaccines. Individuals enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan should confirm vaccination coverage with their insurance company.
Vaccinations are a vital component of keeping both individuals and communities safe and healthy. Medicare covers some vaccines. These include the flu shot, hepatitis B shot, pneumococcal shots, and COVID-19 vaccines.
There are a variety of vaccines the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourage children and adults to receive throughout their lifetime to prevent disease. One of these vaccinations is the shingles shot.
The CDC recommends the shingles vaccine for healthy adults over the age of 50. While Original Medicare does not cover the shingles vaccine, Medicare Part D does cover the shingles vaccine. This article will explain everything Medicare beneficiaries need to know about Medicare and vaccine coverage, specifically in regards to the shingles vaccination.