Ask ‘What About Vaccines?’ Every Time
Vaccines are one of the safest and most convenient ways to prevent disease and maintain good health. The Northeast/ Mid-Atlantic CMS QIN-QIO urges providers to remember the WAVE acronym. This encourages providers to ask: “What About Vaccines?” Every Time, at every patient encounter. Opening a dialogue about vaccines is the first step toward protecting the health and well-being of both patients and providers.
Vaccine Recommendations
Vaccine recommendations are subject to change in response to new variants, or as new formulations become available. Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for updated recommendations regarding:
• Immunization schedules
• Covid-19
• Pneumococcal disease
• Influenza
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Paying for Vaccines
Most commercial insurance provides coverage for the COVID-19 vaccine. Medicare Part B covers vaccines and vaccine administration for:
• Flu
• Pneumonia
• Hepatitis B (for individuals at high and intermediate risk)
• COVID-19
• Certain reasonable and necessary vaccines to treat an injury or exposure to a disease
Medicare Part D covers the RSV vaccine.
Billing and Payment Resources
Access practical resources to help navigate vaccine billing, coding, insurance coverage, and payment. These tools provide guidance to support accurate billing and reimbursement for adult vaccinations.
What Role do You Play?
Nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, physician offices, and others in the community play a vital role in educating staff, patients, residents, and families about the importance of receiving vaccines. As a trusted medical resource, clinical staff provide up-to-date, credible information as well as access to vaccines.
Here are a few ways providers can work to promote vaccine acceptance:
WAVE Campaign Tools
Need Help Bringing Vaccines to Your Facility?
The Northeast/Mid-Atlantic QIN-QIO can help connect your organization with resources and support to improve vaccine access and promote vaccination among patients, residents, staff, and communities.