How UHSM Health Share Programs Handle Immunizations

 

Vaccination schedules for children start as early as just a few months old and continue throughout childhood and adolescence to ensure they’re fully protected against certain diseases.

But many adults may not realize that even though they are past their school years, their inoculations aren’t necessarily over. In fact, the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that certain vaccinations be considered by adults over the age of 19 to ensure continued protection against specific diseases.

For starters, the flu vaccine is something that millions of Americans get each fall to minimize their chances of falling ill from any one of the many strains of the influenza virus. In addition to the flu shot, there are several other vaccines that the CDC recommends adults add to their schedule. These include:

Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis	Booster every 10 years
Measles, mumps, rubella	1 or 2 doses depending on whether or not there is evidence of prior immunization
Varicella	2 doses if born in 1980 or later for those who have no evidence of immunity to varicella
Zoster recombinant	2 doses for those at least 50 years of age
Human papillomavirus	Can be administered between the ages of 27 to 45 years
Pneumococcal	For those aged 65 years or older who are immunocompetent
Hepatitis A or B	2 or 3 doses for those who want protection

 

Covering the Cost of Adult Vaccinations

Children under the age of 18 may not have to pay to be immunized according to the CDC’s schedule of recommended vaccinations. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides immunizations at no charge to eligible children through a network of participating healthcare providers. As long as children meet the following requirements, they are eligible to receive a CDC-recommended vaccination at no cost:

• Uninsured
• Underinsured
• American Indian
• Alaska Native
• Medicaid-eligible

But what about adults? While children may be able to get vaccinated without their parents having to worry about the cost, how are adults covered?

 

 

If you have a health insurance policy in place, certain vaccinations may be covered. But private health insurance is very expensive. Right now, the average monthly cost for an ACA health insurance plan is $456 for individuals and $1,152 for families. And the average deductibles are $4,364 for individuals and $8,439 for families. You may sometimes be better off paying for vaccinations out-of-pocket than to pay the exorbitant premiums and deductibles that come with health insurance.

For those looking for a good alternative to traditional health insurance, a health sharing ministry may fit the bill. For instance, members of UHSM can save as much as 50 percent or more for program membership compared to the average premium for a health insurance policy. And more than 2 million Americans are currently enrolled in health sharing programs.

With UHSM, CDC-scheduled immunizations for members are immediately eligible for medical sharing with at least 10 continuous months of active membership, regardless of the sharing program level you choose.

Plus, members get access to telemedicine visits, which can come in handy during these times when physical distancing remains a priority. UHSM also provides members with annual wellness visits after 60 days of membership, pharmacy benefits, and access to a wide range of participating emergency and urgent care facilities across the nation.

To find out more about health sharing programs with UHSM and discover which program suits you best, get in touch with a representative from UHSM today, or click here to see how much you can save with a health share program.