Bcbsga

Swine influenza is one of the biggest medical concerns on the minds of many these days, and health insurance companies have tried to explain to customers what immunizations and other services are available based on coverage of their diet.

Some, like Florida-based AvMed, offer vaccination to all fully insured members, despite the problems that normally covered include co-pays or deductibles. Many insurers are following the lead of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the distribution of information on the H1N1 virus.

Doctors and health insurance companies focus on several groups for a first round of government, primarily pregnant women, people who provide care for young children, as well as health care and EMS personnel. After that, children and young adults up to age 24 and those at risk for complications from influenza will have priority for one of the 150 million doses of vaccine available, I n the United States

"AvMed is committed to the health and well-being of our members and we want to ensure that the national effort H1N1 emergency vaccination goes as smoothly as possible," adds Dr. Kirk Cianciolo, AvMed President Vice-President and Director medical.

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Georgia is also following a similar plan, offering to cover administration costs for customers covered as well. They are also working to develop channels with places where vaccinations are likely to be given, though, including pharmacies and public health clinics.

Health insurance companies do not always have relationships with so-called non-traditional providers, who could make payments for services provided to these areas more difficult to do.

"Our goal is to keep our members as healthy as possible. We are committed to working with CDC and HHS on an information campaign to ensure that members and the public are vaccinated to prevent influenza H1N1, and if they develop influenza H1N1, they are handled effectively and appropriately " said Dr. Bob McCormack, BCBSGA medical director.

Other measures include changing the form of prescription drugs, which assigns different co-pays for drugs based on their acquisition cost and effectiveness in the treatment of a condition. Tamiflu and Relenza are moved to more affordable levels BCBSGA form for those who can contract the H1N1 virus.