Smiling Sam - We both got our flu, Covid and RSV vaccines this morning at Walgreens. My husband completed the paperwork online and when we arrived there were only two other couples waiting. Our appointment was for 10:30 am and by 11:00 am we were on our way. The pharmacist suggested that we take the three shots instead of coming back on Wednesday for the RSV vaccine. So far we have no problem with our arms hurting so we are keeping our fingers crossed.
@mfrancis thank you so much for sharing, and also thank you for explaining how it can be done. In the past I have asked her if she could cut and paste of something, as she will be determined that I read some article. But she won't or can't do that, so this should be perfect. Thanks!!
Another way to read NYT articles is find them via a google search. For example, type something like, "NYT Cvoid" in the search box and filter by date range. When you click on the links found, the articles will open, usually.
We found an HEB pharmacy (A Texas grocery chain) that had the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 (Comirnaty) vaccine available on their website. My husband called to confirmed that it would available the next day, and that they were taking walk-ins. so we went the next morning. The young lady at the pharmacy desk first told us it was not available until October. We asked her to check with the Pharmacist, and she found it. We were the first people in the store receiving it that day.
This was our 7th COVID shot, and neither of us has ever had a reaction to it.
But this time I was not lucky. I was feeling fine until I went to bed and then I had diarrhea that lasted all night and the next day.I did not have an upset stomach, only diarrhea. 24 hours later I was fine
I've been hungry the hole day! Made myself a Chupe with lots of potatoes, chicken and corn, with a little cheese on top. I'm in heaven. did not any fish.
Now ice cream and Macaroons for dessert. This is going to cost me 5lbs.
Went to Walgreen's today for the Spikevax. Cost me $155 because I am "out of network", even though I have Medicare. Going to try for a reimbursement. My network (normally just about as quick and efficient on program roll-outs as the Israeli Army) is dragging. Has to be a money/insurance issue. It is ridiculous for many reasons. I am traveling at the end of this week and do not want to wait.
If she has Medicare (dis)Advantage plan, vs. traditional Medicare, it's possible. Inconvenience, a limited provider selection, and hoop-jumping is the price you pay for giving up your freedom to save a few bucks.
My mother, who also has Medicare Advantage, has always been able to get her flu shot at the local CVS and yesterday they wanted to charge her over $150. She is in the same network. So clearly something has changed.
But don't worry, I am a fighter.
I will keep you posted.
We got our flu shots yesterday at a Publix pharmacy , grocery chain in Florida, we paid nothing and we have a Medicare Advantage plan. We also got our RSV shots there too. We are getting our Covid in November
Here's what I've found online... I think prior to May of this year, anyone, even those uninsured, could get the Covid vaccine with no out-of-pocket. Now you must have an insurance plan that covers it or qualify for no co-pay due to low income. My Medicare Advantage plan now limits my Covid coverage for zero out-of-pocket services just like my coverage for any other non-emergency service... I must use in-network providers. I have an HMO. If I had a PPO that would allow more options for where I choose to get care. When CVS initially declined my coverage 11 days ago, it was because CVS (in my network) had not updated its system for coding, even though the pharmacist blamed my Medicare plan for not updating its system. I had success at Walgreens 8 days ago getting the Spikevax (Moderna) because it had the correct code to enter for Walgreens to receive reimbursement/payment.
We are getting close again to the time of year when I weigh all the myriad choices for Medicare plan coverage available in my county and make a decision then cross my fingers. I recently purchased travel/medical insurance for 2 international trips in 2024 and I'm covered for tomorrow's trip to Paris. Hoping all on this forum remain healthy and enjoy traveling.
This is good news Patrice. I'll see what happens with my claim. I was specifically told by the pharmacy manager that they did not have a contract with my HMO and I would need to pay out of pocket. I would have of course waited if I weren't about to go from one major airport to another. I'm still prepared to fight back. The money obviously won't break me but this needs to be more streamlined for everyone in the future.
I am particularly peeved at my HMO because a week ago we all received an email saying we could make appointments for the Covid vaccine online, only to discover that no such system existed yet and no one there seemed to know when the vaccine would be rolled out.
Anyway, I'm kind of achy today, which is unusual for me, but otherwise ready for my trip! Tomorrow will be better.
I just checked my 2023 Medicare Advantage Plan and the following vaccines are all covered with 0 co-payment. In addition, the new 2024 plan also covers the vaccines at 0 co-payment. I have United Healthcare.
COVID-19 vaccines
Flu shots
Hepatitis B shots
Pneumococcal shots
Shingrix
I had original Medicare and a separate supplemental and drug plan for 5 years and just changed in October of 2022 as it saved me over $6000 a year with the rising costs of the Supplemental and Drug Plans and losing a percentage of my discounts as the years go by. I debated for several years whether to go to an Advantage account, but so far it has been great, all of my doctors, specialists and hospitals are covered in the plan plus it covers most of my out of network Dental charges and eye care, glasses etc. I realize all the plans are different depending on what state and even the County that you live in. I will have to re-evaluate this each year of course, but so far I have no complaints. Of course it does limit your access to in network providers but all of my providers are already in the Network.
CVS just texted me saying the don’t have any vaccines and that I need to reschedule my appointment for tomorrow to a different time. That makes me 0/2 this go round.
1) Made appointment at Walgreens, showed up, told me they had no one to administer the shots - 😛
2) Made appointment at CVS, they texted that they have no vaccines, must reschedule - 😛
3) Made new appointment at Walgreens for later today, fingers crossed
Two mice walk into a bar. The first mouse asks "hey have you gotten the new COVID vaccine? He answers " no I'll wait, it hasn't been fully tested on humans yet".
We will be masking up here at home the week before we depart, and of course at the airport and on board until the plane reaches altitude and full ventilation systems are running. We mask up during descent and deboarding, and any crowded indoor places while on tour. We don't even care what the respiratory viruses are called anymore. We just don't want them negatively impacting our trip, so we will make every effort to avoid them while on tour and we will also make every effort not to show up infected to a tour. Respiratory etiquette.
Covid is going around the neighborhood here in MA. Once school started it kicked in again. Parents and others are getting it again.
We also know two couples who traveled on cruises and came home with the virus. One was on a large ship cruise up the east coast to Canada and the other was on a Duoro River cruise with a company called Gate 1. Where they got the virus is anyone's guess. Of the four people one got hit pretty hard; for the other three it was more of an annoyance. They were all in their 60's and 70's.
I think your good fortune is because you are responsible, considerate and take all the necessary precautions to protect yourself and others. Just my opinion.
You can usually delete the ? and everything after the ? and you will still get the same web page. All that stuff after the ? just tells the company how you got to the page.
[We got our flu and COVID shots at CVS as walk-ins. No problems and no waiting.]
A few weeks ago the Government announced they were reinstating the free COVID test kits. I ordered them and they arrived yesterday. One of the boxes was missing the swabs and solution suspensions! I'm glad I checked before packing them for a trip. That being said, you might wish to check your unopened kits.
Comments
Smiling Sam - We both got our flu, Covid and RSV vaccines this morning at Walgreens. My husband completed the paperwork online and when we arrived there were only two other couples waiting. Our appointment was for 10:30 am and by 11:00 am we were on our way. The pharmacist suggested that we take the three shots instead of coming back on Wednesday for the RSV vaccine. So far we have no problem with our arms hurting so we are keeping our fingers crossed.
To send NYT article to a non-subscriber, click on the gift box icon at the bottom of the screen.
@mfrancis thank you so much for sharing, and also thank you for explaining how it can be done. In the past I have asked her if she could cut and paste of something, as she will be determined that I read some article. But she won't or can't do that, so this should be perfect. Thanks!!
That’s why I did not post the link because most are unlikely to be able to open it. It’s a great paper to subscribe to.
Another way to read NYT articles is find them via a google search. For example, type something like, "NYT Cvoid" in the search box and filter by date range. When you click on the links found, the articles will open, usually.
I got it!!!!!! , today.
Yay!
Yes!
but I'll still wear the mask @ airplanes-airports and any crowed place.
I'm so grateful! , it is an xtra layer of protection.
Wa. State has them as Friday. 9/22/23.
We found an HEB pharmacy (A Texas grocery chain) that had the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 (Comirnaty) vaccine available on their website. My husband called to confirmed that it would available the next day, and that they were taking walk-ins. so we went the next morning. The young lady at the pharmacy desk first told us it was not available until October. We asked her to check with the Pharmacist, and she found it. We were the first people in the store receiving it that day.
This was our 7th COVID shot, and neither of us has ever had a reaction to it.
But this time I was not lucky. I was feeling fine until I went to bed and then I had diarrhea that lasted all night and the next day.I did not have an upset stomach, only diarrhea. 24 hours later I was fine
I've been hungry the hole day! Made myself a Chupe with lots of potatoes, chicken and corn, with a little cheese on top. I'm in heaven. did not any fish.
Now ice cream and Macaroons for dessert. This is going to cost me 5lbs.
Went to Walgreen's today for the Spikevax. Cost me $155 because I am "out of network", even though I have Medicare. Going to try for a reimbursement. My network (normally just about as quick and efficient on program roll-outs as the Israeli Army) is dragging. Has to be a money/insurance issue. It is ridiculous for many reasons. I am traveling at the end of this week and do not want to wait.
You should not have had to pay for it with Medicare Wan!
If she has Medicare (dis)Advantage plan, vs. traditional Medicare, it's possible. Inconvenience, a limited provider selection, and hoop-jumping is the price you pay for giving up your freedom to save a few bucks.
did not paid anything. Regence Ins. _
My mother, who also has Medicare Advantage, has always been able to get her flu shot at the local CVS and yesterday they wanted to charge her over $150. She is in the same network. So clearly something has changed.
But don't worry, I am a fighter.
I will keep you posted.
We got our flu shots yesterday at a Publix pharmacy , grocery chain in Florida, we paid nothing and we have a Medicare Advantage plan. We also got our RSV shots there too. We are getting our Covid in November
Here's what I've found online... I think prior to May of this year, anyone, even those uninsured, could get the Covid vaccine with no out-of-pocket. Now you must have an insurance plan that covers it or qualify for no co-pay due to low income. My Medicare Advantage plan now limits my Covid coverage for zero out-of-pocket services just like my coverage for any other non-emergency service... I must use in-network providers. I have an HMO. If I had a PPO that would allow more options for where I choose to get care. When CVS initially declined my coverage 11 days ago, it was because CVS (in my network) had not updated its system for coding, even though the pharmacist blamed my Medicare plan for not updating its system. I had success at Walgreens 8 days ago getting the Spikevax (Moderna) because it had the correct code to enter for Walgreens to receive reimbursement/payment.
We are getting close again to the time of year when I weigh all the myriad choices for Medicare plan coverage available in my county and make a decision then cross my fingers. I recently purchased travel/medical insurance for 2 international trips in 2024 and I'm covered for tomorrow's trip to Paris. Hoping all on this forum remain healthy and enjoy traveling.
This is good news Patrice. I'll see what happens with my claim. I was specifically told by the pharmacy manager that they did not have a contract with my HMO and I would need to pay out of pocket. I would have of course waited if I weren't about to go from one major airport to another. I'm still prepared to fight back. The money obviously won't break me but this needs to be more streamlined for everyone in the future.
I am particularly peeved at my HMO because a week ago we all received an email saying we could make appointments for the Covid vaccine online, only to discover that no such system existed yet and no one there seemed to know when the vaccine would be rolled out.
Anyway, I'm kind of achy today, which is unusual for me, but otherwise ready for my trip! Tomorrow will be better.
I just checked my 2023 Medicare Advantage Plan and the following vaccines are all covered with 0 co-payment. In addition, the new 2024 plan also covers the vaccines at 0 co-payment. I have United Healthcare.
COVID-19 vaccines
Flu shots
Hepatitis B shots
Pneumococcal shots
Shingrix
I had original Medicare and a separate supplemental and drug plan for 5 years and just changed in October of 2022 as it saved me over $6000 a year with the rising costs of the Supplemental and Drug Plans and losing a percentage of my discounts as the years go by. I debated for several years whether to go to an Advantage account, but so far it has been great, all of my doctors, specialists and hospitals are covered in the plan plus it covers most of my out of network Dental charges and eye care, glasses etc. I realize all the plans are different depending on what state and even the County that you live in. I will have to re-evaluate this each year of course, but so far I have no complaints. Of course it does limit your access to in network providers but all of my providers are already in the Network.
CVS just texted me saying the don’t have any vaccines and that I need to reschedule my appointment for tomorrow to a different time. That makes me 0/2 this go round.
1) Made appointment at Walgreens, showed up, told me they had no one to administer the shots - 😛
2) Made appointment at CVS, they texted that they have no vaccines, must reschedule - 😛
3) Made new appointment at Walgreens for later today, fingers crossed
This whole system is so frustrating!
Two mice walk into a bar. The first mouse asks "hey have you gotten the new COVID vaccine? He answers " no I'll wait, it hasn't been fully tested on humans yet".
I’m not at home to make an appointment. Has anyone found a pharmacy where you can just do a walk-in, maybe even Costco?
Third attempt was a charm. Covid shot in left arm. Flu shot and RSV shots in right arm.
We will be masking up here at home the week before we depart, and of course at the airport and on board until the plane reaches altitude and full ventilation systems are running. We mask up during descent and deboarding, and any crowded indoor places while on tour. We don't even care what the respiratory viruses are called anymore. We just don't want them negatively impacting our trip, so we will make every effort to avoid them while on tour and we will also make every effort not to show up infected to a tour. Respiratory etiquette.
Covid is going around the neighborhood here in MA. Once school started it kicked in again. Parents and others are getting it again.
We also know two couples who traveled on cruises and came home with the virus. One was on a large ship cruise up the east coast to Canada and the other was on a Duoro River cruise with a company called Gate 1. Where they got the virus is anyone's guess. Of the four people one got hit pretty hard; for the other three it was more of an annoyance. They were all in their 60's and 70's.
Cruise ship = Petri dish, not only Covid, but intestinal viruses.
I think your good fortune is because you are responsible, considerate and take all the necessary precautions to protect yourself and others. Just my opinion.
You can usually delete the ? and everything after the ? and you will still get the same web page. All that stuff after the ? just tells the company how you got to the page.
[We got our flu and COVID shots at CVS as walk-ins. No problems and no waiting.]
A few weeks ago the Government announced they were reinstating the free COVID test kits. I ordered them and they arrived yesterday. One of the boxes was missing the swabs and solution suspensions! I'm glad I checked before packing them for a trip. That being said, you might wish to check your unopened kits.