Additional Information on PPO Plan Benefits
Free Flu Shots for Members
More than 200,000 people are hospitalized every year from the flu and related complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But you don't have to be one of those statistics. You can reduce your risk by getting a flu shot.
The State Health Plan encourages good health and prevention for all of our members. The Plan is promoting the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina "Stick it to the Flu" program to make getting a seasonal flu shot convenient for our members. The flu vaccine is available to all Plan members at no charge when you receive a flu shot at your work place or in-network doctor's office. Members may also get a free flu shot at a participating health department or in-network immunizing pharmacist. The free flu shot program will run from September 14 through December 31, 2011.
If you are an active employee or a state retiree, check with your agency, or the agency from which you retired, to see if they are holding work site clinics. You may also click here to find a listing of clinics currently scheduled by agency name or by city. The schedule will be updated monthly, so please check with your health benefits representative to confirm your agency's worksite clinic.
All family members covered by BCBSNC, but not necessarily covered by the State Health Plan, may attend a worksite clinic at no charge. Please note that children under the age of 4 need to receive a children's dose and, therefore, must obtain their flu shot through a physician's office.
Remember, you may also receive a flu shot from your doctor's office, participating health department or in-network immunizing pharmacist. Click here for a list of in-network health departments. To see if there is a participating licensed immunizing pharmacist or a CVS Minute Clinic near you, visit the Doctors, Rx and Hospitals section of the BCBSNC website. Search for "Pharmacist (Flu & Other Injections)" under Specialty. To find a participating CVS Minute Clinic, search for "Convenience Care Center" under Specialty. Please note that only State Health Plan members 18 and older may receive flu vaccines from immunizing pharmacists.
For more detailed information, please refer to the
Frequently Asked Questions on the BCBSNC website or contact Customer Service at 888-234-2416.
Please note: There is not a separate vaccine required for H1N1. H1N1 is now included as part of the standard flu vaccination.
To learn more about Influenza, visit these helpful websites:
