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What Is A Company-Sponsored Flu Clinic?
A Company Sponsored Flu Clinic is an event during which the company hires certified nurses to set-up an on-site “clinic” to offer their employees an opportunity to become immunized without having to leave the office. The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. The upcoming season’s flu vaccine will protect against the three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the season. This includes an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and an influenza B virus.

Who Is Eligible to Receive The Shot?
Vaccines can be provided to employees and their families aged 18 and over. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) members must bring their BCBSMA member ID card to the clinic in order to have the claim processed. Non-BCBSMA members may also receive the shot, but there will be an additional cost for non-members (see below). Anyone receiving a shot has to fill out a consent form onsite before receiving the shot (consent form provided onsite at the clinic).

When Are The Flu Clinics Scheduled?
According to the CDC website, the vaccine for the 2014-2015 season will be available this fall, and BCBSMA is generally able to schedule flu clinics to begin on October 1, 2014. If you are not ready to schedule now, we request a minimum of 4 weeks lead time to guarantee preferred dates and times. Any cancellations require a minimum 3-day notice. BCBSMA requests you fill out a flu clinic request form. It outlines all of the information the carrier needs to schedule clinics. If you wish to schedule clinics at multiple sites, please feel free to complete a form for each location.

How Much Does It Cost?
Currently the cost is $23 per shot (charged to the plan for members OR self-paid- or billed to accounts for non-members). When scheduled through BCBSMA, there are no set-up or travel fees.

For on-site flu shots there is a minimum of 20 anticipated attendees per location. An alternative option for receiving flu shots is that pharmacies who are part of Express Scripts can also provide flu shots at no out-of pocket cost to members (this means that the pharmacist can administer the shot – doesn’t have to be part of a limited service clinic).

Other Pertinent Info for Employers
BCBSMA schedules on-site flu clinics through our high quality third-party vendor. Our vendor is able to process the Flu shots as claims for all BCBS members with no out-of-pocket cost. We can also provide flu shots for non-member employees. When the clinic is set up, please specify whether the non-member will personally pay at the clinic, or if we should bill the account for the charges.

  • It is very helpful to have at least one HR staff member from the account on-site at each clinic to help direct traffic flow and answer any questions.
  • Some accounts choose to have a member of their HR staff bring a list of member names and BCBSMA ID#s to the event in case of missing ID cards; this is always handled by the account.
  • The vendor determines the correct number of nurses to administer the anticipated shot volume, please allow a minimum of 2 hours per location for your site.

What you should know for the 2014-2015 Influenza Season: https://www.bluecrossma.com/wps/portal/members/healthier-living/get-educated/flu-facts/ and www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2014-2015.htm

Please email Denise LaCarubba at denise@hrknowledge.com for a flu clinic scheduler/request form.

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