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CareSource to cover all costs of flu shot
DAYTON, Ohio, Nov. 17, 2004 – CareSource, Ohio’s leading Medicaid managed care plan, is acting on behalf of its members to address the shortage of flu vaccine. CareSource will reimburse participating medical providers for all costs of acquiring and administering the shot.
Usually, providers who treat Medicaid recipients get the flu vaccine at no cost through the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, and Medicaid managed care plans reimburse only for administration. Due to this year’s shortage, however, the VFC program has been unable to fill requests for the flu vaccine.
Medicaid providers may be able to acquire the flu vaccine from another source, but would have to pay for it themselves. To address this need and ensure that all at-risk members receive the flu shot, CareSource will reimburse providers not just for administration of the shot but for the vaccine itself.
CareSource will receive no additional payment from the state for its extra reimbursement to providers who give the flu shot. Instead, CareSource took this step as part of its mission to improve the health care of its Medicaid members.
CareSource has received positive feedback for its action.
“This clearly shows CareSource’s commitment to quality care for its patients,” said Dr. Lee Budin, medical director at Partners for Kids, the physician hospital organization for Columbus Children’s Hospital and community pediatricians in Columbus, Ohio. “CareSource could have sat on its hands and done nothing, but it has stepped up to the plate to make sure the children it covers are protected.”
CareSource will cover both flu vaccine and administration until the VFC vaccine supply arrives, or until Dec. 31, 2004.
About CareSource
CareSource is a nonprofit Medicaid managed health care plan that serves almost 350,000 members in 13 Ohio counties -- Butler, Clark, Clermont, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Lorain, Montgomery, Pickaway, Stark, Summit and Warren. CareSource covers all Medicaid services required by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and offers extra benefits such as a 24-hour nurse hotline, a gift certificate program for pregnant members and new mothers, and transportation to medical appointments.
CareSource is affiliated with CareSource Management Group, a health care services company that offers a full spectrum of services for Medicaid managed health care plans. Among CSMG’s services are administration, including claims processing and payment, case and medical management, provider relations, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance; member services, including a member call center and 24-hour nurse hotline; and financial consultation and turnaround.
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