{"id":8570,"date":"2020-01-30T16:43:22","date_gmt":"2020-01-30T21:43:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=8570"},"modified":"2025-06-23T13:57:01","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T17:57:01","slug":"does-medicare-cover-flu-shots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/does-medicare-cover-flu-shots\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Medicare cover flu shots?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/T_OVyM7YLgo?rel=0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flu shots are essential to protect your health during the fall and winter months.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flu season typically begins in November and lasts through April. The highest number of cases usually occurs between December and February. Influenza, informally called the flu, causes fever, cough, sore throat, headaches, fatigue, and body aches.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For those older than 65, the flu is dangerous and potentially life-threatening. This population has the highest risk of developing complications from the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/highrisk\/65over.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CDC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), which can lead to hospitalizations and even death. During the 2018-19 flu season\u2014 the last \u201cnormal\u201d flu season\u201442.9 million people got sick; 647,000 were hospitalized; and 61,200 died in the United States. Ninety percent of all hospitalizations from the flu occurred in people over the age of 65 years old, according to a\u00a0 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/ofid\/article\/6\/7\/ofz225\/5510081\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">study co-authored by CDC and published in 2019<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The statistics for the previous two years are lower than typical due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting an annual flu shot is the single, best way to prevent the seasonal flu and its complications, according to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/prevent\/actions-prevent-flu.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CDC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (It\u2019s also important to get a COVID-19 vaccination as the two viruses spread this winter.) Some people who get the flu shot might still get sick; however, a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0264410X18309976\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">study published in 2018<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found that people who did get the flu after getting the vaccine had milder symptoms and a reduced risk of being hospitalized.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cFor those older than 65, those with major medical conditions, such as diabetes or asthma, have weak immune systems, for example from chemotherapy, or live in a nursing home, doctors should be notified of flu symptoms, such as fever, chills, headaches and body aches,\u201d says <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ishaniganguli.com\/about.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ishani Ganguli<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. \u201cIt is also important to seek medical help for severe symptoms, such as a fever above 104 [degrees], trouble breathing, and confusion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does Medicare cover flu shots?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re 65 or older, you are eligible for Medicare coverage, and fortunately, Medicare covers flu shots. However, not every Medicare program includes free flu shots. Medicare Part B and C (Medicare Advantage Plans) cover the full cost of the flu shot if you use a pharmacy or healthcare provider that accepts Medicare payments. When using a healthcare provider for the first time, call ahead to verify they accept Medicare assignments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to get Medicare coverage for flu shots<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are several parts of Medicare: Part A, Part B, Medicare Advantage (Part C), and Part D. It is best to learn what each part covers and what is most advantageous for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Part A covers hospital stays\u2014flu shot not included<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Part A covers:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hospitalizations<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skilled nursing facilities<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hospice<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home health care<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It does not cover the flu shot.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Part A is free to eligible people aged 65 or older. Generally, if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, this portion of Medicare is free. You can sign up for this starting three months before your 65th birthday. If you have been receiving social security benefits before your 65th birthday, you are automatically enrolled in Part A. Otherwise, you need to sign up for it either online or at a social security office.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Part B covers preventive services, including flu shots<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Part B is your medical insurance. It covers preventive services, like the flu shot. Medicare pays for one shot per season but may cover a second if it\u2019s medically necessary. Medicare coverage includes flu shots that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people over the age of 65. Covered flu shots include <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/fluad\/what-is\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fluad<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/fluzone-high-dose\/what-is\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fluzone High-Dose<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, according to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/prevent\/flushot.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CDC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr. Ganguli recommends the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/highrisk\/65over.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">high-dose flu vaccination<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for anyone older than 65.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are other types of influenza vaccines approved for adults, however, not specifically for people over the age of 65. These can be given to people over 65 years of age if the high-dose flu vaccine is unavailable or not preferred for any reason. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Standard dose quadrivalent shots including <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/afluria-quadrivalent\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Afluria Quadrivalent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/fluarix-quadrivalent\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fluarix Quadrivalent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/flulaval-quadrivalent\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FluLaval Quadrivalent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/fluzone-quadrivalent\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fluzone Quadrivalent<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quadrivalent cell-based influenza shot including <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/flucelvax-quadrivalent\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flucelvax Quadrivalent<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recombinant quadrivalent influenza shot including <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/flublok-quadrivalent\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flublok Quadrivalent<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare does not cover nasal spray flu vaccines, as the FDA has not approved them for this age group.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Part B also covers COVID-19 vaccines, a seasonal H1N1 swine flu vaccine, a pneumococcal vaccine, and hepatitis B shots for individuals considered high-risk.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Part B also includes certain shots if they\u2019re related to treatment for illness or injury. For example, if your doctor treats an injury with a tetanus shot.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Part B is optional, and some people who have employer insurance, either through themselves or their spouse, might opt to keep that insurance and sign up for Part B later. You can sign up for this during your initial enrollment period, the same as with Part A. You can also sign up for it for up to eight months after you stop working or lose insurance coverage. If you choose not to sign up for Part B but were eligible to do so, you might need to pay a late enrollment penalty.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Part C includes Parts A and B\u2014flu shot included<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Part C plans provide both Part A and B benefits. With Part B benefits included, Medicare Part C covers flu shots. Some Part C plans also include prescription drug coverage, generally covered under Medicare Part D. You would sign up for this during the enrollment period as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Part D covers flu medications and other vaccines you may need<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Part D is an optional prescription drug plan. Plans vary in copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and drug coverage. These plans cover other vaccines when they are reasonable and medically necessary. Common vaccines covered under Part D include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All Part D plans must cover the shingles vaccine, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/shingrix\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shingrix<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tdap vaccine for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (also called whooping cough)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BCG vaccine for tuberculosis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meningococcal vaccines<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines for individuals considered high-risk<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe amount you pay for your vaccine may vary depending on where you get vaccinated,\u201d says Gail Trauco, RN, BSN-OCN, a patient advocate and founder of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.medicalbill911.com\/about-gail-trauco\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical Bill 911<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cBe sure to check your plan\u2019s coverage rules and see where you can get your vaccine at the lowest cost. Typically, you will pay the least for your vaccinations at in-network pharmacies or at a doctor\u2019s office that coordinates with a pharmacy to bill your Part D plan for the drug and the injection.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although the flu shot is not covered by Medicare Part D, antiviral medications used to treat the flu are covered. These include <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/oseltamivir-phosphate\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">generic Tamiflu<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/relenza-diskhaler\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relenza<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/xofluza-80-mg-dose\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xofluza<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are flu shots free for seniors?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For seniors who have Medicare Part B, C, or D, one flu shot per year is free. Medicare will cover two flu shots if a second shot is deemed medically necessary by a healthcare provider. Some seniors, however, do not have these Medicare plans and might need to pay out of pocket for the flu shot.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Without Medicare, Medicaid, or other health insurance, you can find discounted prices with a free SingleCare coupon. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/discounted-free-flu-shots\/\"><b>How to get a discounted or free flu shot<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/fluad-quadrivalent\"><b>Get Fluad coupons<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/fluzone-high-dose-quadrivalent\"><b>Get Fluzone High-Dose coupons<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What to expect from your flu shot<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can get your annual flu shot from any pharmacy or provider who accepts Medicare. You can find the contact information (phone number, address, pharmacy hours) for a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pharmacy near you<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on SingleCare here. Call ahead if you\u2019re unsure whether Medicare is accepted.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/flu\/expert-answers\/fluzone\/faq-20058032\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One large study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> showed that people who received a high-dose flu vaccine were more likely to develop side effects during the week after vaccination compared to those who got a standard-dose flu vaccine. Common side effects include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Injection site irritation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Muscle aches<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nejm.org\/doi\/full\/10.1056\/NEJMoa1315727\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">another study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found that the high-dose vaccine was 24% more effective in preventing influenza in seniors than standard-dose vaccines. In most cases, the risk of vaccine side effects outweighs the risk of flu complications.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although it may be tempting to take a pain reliever before or after vaccination, you should ask your healthcare provider first. Common over-the-counter pain medications, such as Tylenol, aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen, have been <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.urmc.rochester.edu\/news\/story\/common-pain-relievers-may-dilute-power-of-flu-shots\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shown to reduce the efficacy of flu vaccines<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. However, if you have been prescribed pain relievers, such as low-dose aspirin to prevent heart disease, you should always talk to your healthcare provider before discontinuing medication.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People aged 65 and older with underlying health conditions are now eligible for a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/covid-booster-shot\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">COVID-19 booster shot<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/season\/faq-flu-season-2021-2022.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CDC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has stated that it is safe to get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot at the same time or in close proximity to getting a flu vaccine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/es\/recursos\/medicare-cubre-las-vacunas-contra-la-gripe\">Lea este art\u00edculo en espa\u00f1ol aqu\u00ed.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\ufeff Flu shots are essential to protect your health during the fall and winter months.\u00a0 Flu season typically begins in November and lasts through April. The highest number of cases usually occurs between December and February. Influenza, informally called the flu, causes fever, cough, sore throat, headaches, fatigue, and body aches.\u00a0 For those older than [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":8571,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[11169,15],"coauthors":[11385],"class_list":["post-8570","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-company","tag-cold-flu","tag-medicare","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Does Medicare cover flu shots?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Medicare Part B and C cover one flu shot per season. 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