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TRICARE participants may soon have an easier time getting vaccinations against the flu and pneumonia.
Under a proposal issued Thursday by the Defense Department, pharmacies that participate in TRICARE would be able to administer the seasonal flu, H1N1 or swine flu, and pneumococcal vaccines. Patients would not be charged a co-pay. The department also is seeking public comments on other immunizations that could be administered by pharmacies in the future.
The proposal is expected to be fully implemented later this month, according to the National Community Pharmacists Association. The group said it will give 9.5 million TRICARE-eligible patients a convenient new vaccination option and predicted the government will save money when vaccines are administered at pharmacies instead of doctors' offices or hospitals.
To submit a comment, visit www.regulations.gov and search under "TRICARE H1N1."
Earlier this fall, TRICARE also lifted the requirement that TRICARE Prime enrollees obtain a referral to get the H1N1 vaccine from a non-network provider. Patients may now get the vaccine from any TRICARE provider that has it.
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No brainer
Seems like a no brainer to me. Pay $35 to the pharmacy for the shot vs. the $65 for a Dr. office visit, making it more convenient for more people to get it and avoiding the follow-up costs associated with treating the flu down the line. Oh wait, that would entail long term, proactive govt thinking vs. the save a penny now, spend a dollar tomorrow type planning we are famous for.