Allen County Public Health is changing their childhood immunization process so they can bill private insurance for vaccines.  Effective on January 1, 2014, if a child has any form of health insurance, they are no longer eligible for state-funded vaccines. In the past, health departments could use vaccine provided by the state for clients with private insurance if their insurance had high deductibles or co-payments or did not cover vaccinations. 

Health Commissioner Kathy Luhn encourages all parents to make sure that their child’s vaccines are up to date.   “Keeping our children safe from preventable diseases is an important step in keeping children healthy.  We want to make sure families continue to have access to these important vaccinations.”

Allen County Public Health continues to be a Vaccines for Children (VFC) provider. VFC vaccine is provided through a federally funded program and is used for those children who are either covered under the Medicaid program, have no health insurance, are underinsured (health insurance does not cover recommended vaccines), American Indian or Alaskan Native.

Vaccines are available at Allen County Public Health on Wednesdays & Thursdays by appointment only.   Appointments can be made by visiting our website: www.allencountypublichealth.org  or by phone at 419-228-4457.  Insurance eligibility must be confirmed and all copays and/or deductibles must be paid prior to administration of the vaccines.  Allen County Public Health accepts payments in the form of cash, money order, and check.  Discover, American Express, and MasterCard are also accepted (processing fee applies).

Clients with Anthem (BC/BS), Aetna, Medical Mutual (Med Mutual) and United Healthcare, must bring a copy of their insurance card to the appointment.  Allen County Public Health can bill these companies for covered childhood immunizations.  

Clients with other insurance coverage will be required to pay in full for immunizations at the time of service.  They will receive a claim form so they can seek reimbursement from their insurance company. 

For more information on these immunization changes, please call Allen County Public Health at 419-228-4457 or check our website at www.allencountypublichealth.org .
 

VACCINE FOR CHILDREN (VFC) PROGRAM
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program is a federally-funded program that helps provide vaccines to children whose parents or guardians may not be able to afford them. This helps ensure that all children have a better chance of getting their recommended vaccinations on schedule. Vaccines available through the VFC Program are those recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). These vaccines protect babies, young children, and adolescents from 16 diseases. Allen County Public Health is a VFC provider.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR VFC VACCINES?
A child is eligible for the VFC Program if he or she is younger than 19 years of age and is one of the following:
• Medicaid-eligible
• Uninsured
• Underinsured (insurance does not cover vaccines)
• American Indian or Alaska Native
No child who meets the above criteria will be turned away due to the inability to pay.
Children whose health insurance covers the cost of vaccinations are not eligible for VFC vaccines, even when a claim for the cost of the vaccine and its administration would be denied for payment by the insurance carrier because the plan's deductible had not been met.

VACCINES FOR PRIVATELY-INSURED CHILDREN
Allen County Public Health has vaccine available for those children who are covered by private insurance.  Allen County Public Health is a participating provider for Anthem (BC/BS), Aetna, Medical Mutual (Med Mutual), and United Healthcare. Insurance eligibility must be confirmed and all copays and/or deductibles must be paid prior to administration of the vaccines.  Payment in full must be made at the time of service if insurance is through any other carrier.  An itemized receipt will be provided that can be sent to the insurance company for reimbursement.  Allen County Public Health accepts payments in the form of cash, money order, and check.  Discover, American Express, and MasterCard are also accepted (processing fee applies).