How will the 2009 H1N1 vaccine be financed?
In general, the 2009 H1N1 vaccine will be financed similarly to seasonal influenza vaccine, with two important exceptions. First, the federal government has purchased the vaccine and related supplies so providers should not be seeking reimbursement for these. Second, states are receiving funding from CDC to coordinate vaccination efforts. Vaccine administration can be billed to public and private insurance in much of the same way that they currently are billed for the seasonal influenza vaccine. In no case will commercial community vaccinators be permitted to receive both federal monies provided to public health departments and bill insurance for vaccine administration for the same patient. Details are below, but in summary, the 2009 H1N1 vaccine will be financed similarly to the seasonal influenza vaccine.
