If you're one of the lucky ones to get a dose of the H1N1 vaccine, you may want to check to see if your insurance company and employer are picking up the tab.
While the vaccine is provided by the federal government, most health care providers charge what is called an "administrative fee" for delivering the shot.
Katrina Huckaby is the mother of a five-year-old daughter with diabetes. When she decided her daughter needed to get a H1N1 shot, she checked her policy. Regular flu shots are covered, but there is no mention of H1N1.
"A child getting sick is bad enough, but with a diabetic child it makes it 10 times worse," said Huckaby.
Money is tight for Huckaby, so a fee that runs as much as $30 is a concern.
Fortunately, most insurers are covering the cost.
"The insurers are stepping up to the plate in large part and saying yeah, we're going to cover the cost," said Jeff Susman, M.D.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is covering those costs for its members. Anthem's medical director, Barry Malinowski, M.D., says there are some cases in which a patient would have to cover the cost.
Companies that are self-insured and pay an insurance company to merely administer the plan have the choice of whether they will cover those administrative fees.
"There might be a rare company that might not pick up that administrative fee, but for the most part I think folks should feel pretty comfortable that they will be covered," said Malinowski.
It is possible that a patient would be on-the-hook for the cost. So, experts suggest you check with your insurance company and employer to see if they're picking up the tab.
