NDPERS health plan covers flu vaccinations Your NDPERS health plan covers the seasonal flu vaccine and the administration of the H1N1 flu vaccine. The novel H1N1 vaccine does not replace the seasonal flu vaccine. BCBSND will cover the administration of the H1N1 vaccine for people on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) priority list to receive the vaccine. If the vaccine supply is plentiful, these groups have priority to receive the vaccine: - Pregnant women - People who live with or provide care for infants younger than age 6 months. For example, parents, siblings and daycare providers Health care and emergency medical services personnel - People ages 6 months-24 years - People ages 25-64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications. Coverage details: - The seasonal flu vaccine is covered under your NDPERS benefit plan at 100 percent. - The cost of the H1N1 vaccine itself will be covered by the government for those approved groups. - BCBSND will allow the administration of the vaccine to be processed under your health plan. - If the CDC determines this vaccine should be given for other populations, BCBSND will allow according to the group's benefits, if not covered through a governmental entity. Cost-saving tips: For the least out-of pocket expense, you can receive your immunization through schools or community health centers. If you go to a clinic, ask if you can bypass an office visit and just be immunized. If an office visit is billed, it will be subject to your office visit copay. For more information, visit the CDC web site at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ as information about the availability of the H1N1 vaccine continues to change. For information regarding coverage or claims processing, please contact BCBS at 1-800-223-1704. -- Kim Ruliffson, Coordinator of Work Well