Does insurance pay 4 shingles vaccine?

[eyeamdry]

I wanted to put this where most people would see it.  I read in my local paper tonight where a lady wrote in and said she had gotten a shingles vaccine, her insurance wouldn't cover it and she had to pay $215.00 out of pocket. 

Also said she was a retired Pfizer employee.  I was thinking of getting the shingles vacc because I had shiingles just before my Sjogrens diagnoses.  But, now am thinking differently.  I hope this isn't true.  Any feedback?  Lucy

[Cricket]

This is true, my husband had to sign a paper at the doctors that said if insurance didn't pay for it we would.

[BonusMom]

My rheumy stressed to me that people with AI issues (SjS and Lupus in my case) should NOT have a shingles vaccination as it is a live virus.

[irish]

BonusMom, You are right about the vaccine. People with AI diseases are not supposed to get this. There was someone on here who got the vaccine and got soooo sick.

And yes, it is really spendy and not all insurance companies will pay for it. I always think that every time a person has shingles they should develop more antibodies against it but I imagine I am wrong. It is a strange beast as it lives in the nerves and kicks up the planets are lined up in the right order. Not really, but the right stress, lack of sleep etc and certain aspects of health out of kilter and here the darn stuff is again. Irish

[eyeamdry]

I see my rheumy on Wednesday and I'll bring it up to see what she says.  I could not make the trip on Dec. 23 because MI was buried in snow.  We have another snow coming the day I'm to go to Lansing, but we're making it this time so I can go to Fla with a clear conscience and rheumy's approval.  She will be jealous.  Lucy

[Patze]

Hi Lucy,

Florida eh?  I'm with the doctor, I'm jealous! too!   Good luck at your appointment and have a great trip!


Patze

[eyeamdry]

Yes, Patze, Florida and I plan to brag about it before, during and after.  We live in Michigan (cold and snow) and my sister has a new 4 bedroom home there now.  My husband's sister also has a home there.  These are both new situations.  I think we can stay 4 weeks, but am not hurrying back.  We have no pets or plants, and our daughter will take care of anything here.  We just made up our mind that we're traveling the weekend of Feb. 14th. 

Our daughter is riding down with us and staying a week, but flying back home after a week because she has to work.    Viva Florida.     Lucy

[Patze]

Okay Lucy, do you want to adopt me?  I sure could use a vacation right about now!

It sure does sound fabulous!  Go enjoy, you sure do deserve it!

Take care -

Patze

[kim31072]

Also the control group for the FDA testing w/the vaccine was in the 60+ age group the vaccine has not been studied in younger and is only recommended for this age bracket.Also I wouldnt take it because of the live virus issue...that is a huge no-no for AI sufferers.

Here is the link to the CDC about the vaccine

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/shingles/vac-faqs.htm

Kim

[Epson]

For shingles, maybe you should go through your homeowners insurance

[eyeamdry]

To everyone:  My rheumy's PA said they do not recommend shingles vaccine to AI patients.  She went into the reasons some of you posted above.  I'm glad I brought this up and it's one less thing we have to "get."  They did manage to give me a flu shot and take 3 vials of blood.

Epson:You are in rare form these days.  Good to have you back on the forum in your "regular self." 

Lucy