How Can I Book An Appointment Online With A Blue Cross Of Idaho Primary Care Doctor
Zocdoc is a free online service that helps patients find Blue Cross of Idaho Doctors and book appointments instantly. You can search for Blue Cross of Idaho Doctors by symptom or visit reason. Then, choose your location. Based on that information, youll see a list of providers who meet your search criteria, along with their available appointment slots.
Can I Get Any Other Vaccines When I Get My Flu Shot
Yes, our pharmacists can administer many vaccinations such as Shingles, Pneumonia, Hepatitis, HPV, Meningitis, Tetanus, MMR, and more. If youre not sure what you need, ask our pharmacist for a free immunization screening. Available vaccinations vary by location and are subject to state law restrictions.
What Are The Side Effects Of The Flu Vaccine
Common side effects of the flu vaccine include: soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, fever, headache, nausea, and muscle aches.
Less common side effects may include: fainting, Guillain-Barre syndrome , and allergic reactions.
Egg Allergy: Eggs are used in the production of some flu vaccines. Those who experience only hives after eating eggs or egg-containing products may still receive any flu vaccine formulation appropriate for their age and health status. Those with a more severe egg allergy should only receive a flu shot in a medical facility that is prepared to handle a severe allergic reaction .
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Anthem Inc Encourages Older Adults To Get Annual Flu Shot
INDIANAPOLIS – Last years flu vaccine wasnt as effective as usual, resulting in the highest hospitalization rate for the flu among seniors ever documented.i But that doesnt mean this years shot should be neglected, according to Dr. Richard Frank, medical director for Medicare products at Anthem Inc.
Frank said the flu strain mutated after last years vaccine was developed. This years shot has been designed to manage that mutation, which makes public health experts optimistic that it will be much more effective in stopping the flu.ii The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease.
The flu vaccine can help people avoid months of potential complications and even hospitalization, said Frank. It is one of the best things seniors can do to take control and remain healthy this flu season.
Flu season generally starts around October and continues through May. It commonly peaks in January or February. The cost of the vaccine and its administration is generally covered by Medicare Part B, as long as the provider accepts Medicare patients. It is available at multiple locations, including doctors offices, health clinics, health departments, pharmacies, college health centers, some employers and even some schools.
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About Anthem Inc.
Mail Service Pharmacy Program
All Standard Option members, as well as Basic Option members with Medicare Part B primary, can get prescription drugs they regularly take conveniently delivered to their home. This includes maintenance or long-term drugs, such as those for high blood pressure, arthritis or other chronic conditions. You can get up to a 90-day supply for one copay.* You also have access to a registered pharmacist 24/7.To participate in the Mail Service Pharmacy Program, complete the Mail Service Drug Prescription Form, call CVS Caremark at or place an order through your MyBlue member account.
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Higher Star Rating And Bonus Revenue With A : 1 Roi
In just six short months, the Healthy Rewards program not only met, but exceeded initial program goals. Along with the plans other enterprise-wide improvement initiatives, Healthy Rewards improved quality scores, enhanced member health, and boosted the plans bottom line.
Impressive Participation and Gap Closure
The number of targeted members who chose to participate in Healthy Rewards was 2x higher than the initial program goal, proving that members see value in a program that meaningfully engages them in their health.
On average, nearly 50% of participating members, most of whom were historically non-compliant and generally unresponsive, completed all of their assigned health actions. In total, participants completed nearly 2,000 high-value healthcare activities, such as monitoring physical health, flu shot, and improving physical and mental health.
Increase in Measure-Level and Overall Star Ratings
Thanks to the 2018 Healthy Rewards program and other enterprise-wide initiatives, Blue Cross of Idaho saw its Part C Star Rating jump from a 3.5 to a 4.0 in the 2020 Star Ratings, putting the plan in a far more advantageous position financially and competitively.
At the measure level, Blue Cross of Idaho moved up a full Star in four Part C measures and maintained its Star Rating in six Part C measures all of which were part of the Healthy Rewards program.
Positive Impact on the Plans Bottom Line
7:1
Who Should Get The Flu Vaccine
The CDC recommends that everyone six months of age and older get the flu vaccine every season. It does, however, mention that different vaccines may be required for different people. The nasal spray flu vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women due to an increased risk of complications, according to the CDC.
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Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Massachusetts Urges: Protect Yourself And Your Community By Getting A Flu Shot
BOSTON, Oct. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is supporting state and national public health experts in encouraging flu vaccinations. A severe flu outbreak this winter, coupled with a resurgence of the coronavirus, would pose a serious threat to individual and public health, as well as the health care system.
“We’re facing the very real possibility of a ‘twindemic’ two potentially deadly viruses circulating among us at the same time,” said Dr. Katherine Dallow, VP and medical director of clinical programs and strategy at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. “While we don’t yet have a vaccine for the coronavirus, you can reduce your risk of flu infection by getting vaccinated as soon as possible.”
Vaccine coverage and accessFlu shots are available at no cost to Blue Cross members when administered by appropriate participating network clinicians.* Members can use the health plan’s Find-a-Doctor tool to locate a flu shot provider, and should call ahead to check on the availability of the vaccine. If members need additional help finding a provider or have questions about coverage, they can reach a TeamBlue member service representative by calling the number on the front of their member ID card.
Any member of the public can use the national vaccine finder tool to find a clinician offering vaccines, including flu shots. People who use the vaccine finder should check with their health plan about coverage.
How Can I Make A Same
On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for a Primary Care Doctor who takes Blue Cross of Idaho insurance, book an appointment, and see the Primary Care Doctor within 24 hours. Same-day appointments are often available, you can search for real-time availability of Doctors who accept Blue Cross of Idaho insurance and make an appointment online.
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Boosting Quality And Satisfaction In An Increasingly Competitive Market
Blue Cross of Idaho is the states oldest health insurer with nearly one-quarter of the states population enrolled in its traditional, PPO, and managed care programs.
Despite receiving a relatively strong 3.5 Part C Star Rating in 2018, Blue Cross of Idaho Medicare had aspirations of creating greater market differentiation in order to attract new members and increase its market share.
Recognizing the need for a more strategic approach to quality improvement, member engagement, and member satisfaction, Blue Cross of Idaho initiated an enterprise-wide improvement initiative. As a key part of that effort, the plan turned to us to develop and implement an engagement program that would demonstrate results while also delivering a positive return on investment.
Flu Shot Requirements And Roster Claims Submissions
Blue Cross of Idaho accepts claims for flu shots through different methods. In addition to electronically submitted CMS 1500 claims, providers also have the option to submit a single roster when numerous shots are administered on the same day in a setting other than the office.
CMS 1500 and UB04 Forms
- If you are a contracting provider with Blue Cross of Idaho, please submit your claim forms to us electronically. We will accept paper claims if absolutely necessary. Your allowances for flu shots are reflected in your provider contract fee schedule and, in most cases, also through the on-line provider allowance to by CPT/HCPCS code. When submitting a CMS 1500 or UB04 claim form, you can only submit the services for one member per form.
- The roster billing form must be completed in its entirety to meet BlueCard regulations for billing.
- If roster billings include BlueCard members, we will forward the roster billings submitted by providers who typically bill on a UB04 claim form to the BlueCard member’s home plan for processing. To expedite the process, you may consider providing the patient with a receipt to submit to his home plan on his own rather than including BlueCard members on your roster billing form.
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Employee Flu Shot Clinics:
APPOINTMENTS REQUIRED! Click on a date/time below to secure your appointment.*Priority will be given to those with an appointment, but we will try to accommodate walk-ins as well.
Family members are welcome to attend. Please make them their own appointment.
NEW! Still need your COVID-19 vaccine?! Albertsons Pharmacy will also be offering COVID-19 vaccines at all of the employee flu shot clinics. Make an appointment below or stop by any of the clinics.
Chinden Campus
Location:Coral Room, Building #2, Idaho State Tax Commission, 11321 W Chinden Blvd, Boise, ID 83714
- Tuesday, October 19 11:00 am 2:00 pm
*Priority will be given to those with an appointment, but we will try to accommodate walk-ins as well.
Capitol Mall
There are no more flu shot clinics scheduled for Capitol Mall
Other Ways To Prevent The Flu
A healthy immune system stands between our bodies and infections. During cold and flu season, its especially important to keep your immune system strong. Heres how:
- Get enough sleep. Research shows that lack of sleep leaves you more vulnerable to viruses. Adults and children should try to get seven to nine hours of sleep a night.
- Keep moving. Regular physical activity helps your body fight infection. Experts recommend two-and-a-half to five hours of moderate exercise weekly.
- Eat right. A variety of nutrient-rich foods will keep your immune system at its peak. Include whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables. Fish and dairy products fortified with vitamin D may be especially good for boosting immunity.
- Take it easy. Stress weakens your ability to ward off disease. Try a relaxation technique like meditation, which research shows can help you maintain your immune system.
These hygiene practices can also help keep the flu at bay:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
- Cover your nose and mouth if you sneeze or cough
- Touch your eyes, nose, and mouth as little as possible
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A More Targeted Approach To Quality Improvement And Member Satisfaction
Previously, Blue Cross of Idaho employed a variety of member engagement tactics, but they didnt have a coordinated engagement strategy specifically designed to improve quality and member satisfaction. So although the existing tactics were helping, the plan wasnt able to measurably attribute the impact they had on results.
The plan engaged Icario to design a member engagement strategy that could measurably improve quality and satisfaction while also demonstrating a positive ROI.
The result was a member engagement program called Healthy Rewards, which focused on the quality measures that mattered most to plan performance while building a stronger connection between the plan and its members. While all members were eligible to participate, the Healthy Rewards program provided strategic communications to historically non-compliant members to motivate them to complete high-value health actions .
In mid-2018, Healthy Rewards launched to 20,000 eligible Medicare Advantage members. It not only delivered a more robust, personalized member experience through a variety of channels, including email, inbound and outbound IVR, and mailand also used an optimized communications cadence to help members keep their health top of mind.
Having a rewards and incentive program has had a significant influence on Stars improvement. Royce Scoresby, Director, Senior Markets at Blue Cross of Idaho
Why The Flu Shot Is Particularly Important This Year
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Employee Health And Wellness Resources
The university and surrounding community offer various resources and opportunities that can support you on your journey to good health. Wellness passes are available to faculty, staff and spouses through Recreation and Wellbeing. Employees enrolled in a university medical plan have access to the Blue Cross of Idaho WellConnected portal which offers many tools and resources to help you maintain and improve your health. The Employee Assistance Program provides support services should you need help with personal problems, financial or legal issues. Tobacco cessation support is available for all employees. Other university and community resources accessible to all employees, regardless of benefits status, are included below.
Are Video Visits With A Primary Care Doctor Online Covered By Blue Cross Of Idaho
Most insurers provide coverage for video visits at the same cost as in-person visits. You can search on Zocdoc specifically for Doctors who accept Blue Cross of Idaho for video visits by selecting your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. We recommend you check with your insurance carrier directly to confirm your coverage and out of pocket costs for video visits.
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Which Flu Shot Is Right For Me
For ages 6 months and older: Inactivated Flu Vaccine Quadrivalent is a standard dose flu shot that protects against four strains of the flu virus. State age restrictions apply.For ages 18 years and older: Flublok® is a QIV formulation that protects against four strains of the flu virus and has triple the amount of each flu strain when compared to standard QIV. Plus, it can be used for persons with known egg allergies and has been shown to be scientifically superior to the standard flu vaccine for patients 50-64 years.For ages 65 years and older: Fluzone® High Dose Quadrivalent is the only licensed high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine and creates a stronger immune response after vaccination.
What Are My Flu Vaccine Delivery Options
There are two types of flu vaccines: injection and nasal spray. According to the CDC, most flu vaccinations are administered with a needle inserted into the arm muscle, though a jet injector may be used in people aged 18 to 64. The nasal spray immunization is only available to people aged two to 49, with the exception of pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems, according to the CDC.
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What Do I Need To Know About The Flu Shot
The most effective way to keep yourself and others healthy during flu season is to get a flu shot. It’s a smart step to keep you from spreading the flu and staying out of the hospital.
To find out more about flu prevention:
The flu is a respiratory infection caused by any of several influenza viruses.
Flu Season Is Underway In Ohio How You Can Protect Residents Who Are Most Vulnerable
CLEVELAND, OH | February 16, 2022
Flu season is officially here in Ohio, with 486 influenza-associated hospitalizations reported for the 2021-2022 season so far by the Ohio Department of Health. To help prevent the flu in people who are at high risk for severe complications, the American Lung Association and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation released a toolkit specifically for caregivers of adults 65 and over through their Fend Off Flu campaign. Influenza is a serious and highly contagious disease that can have severe health consequences for all, and especially for vulnerable adults 65 and older, and those with chronic health conditions. The new toolkit is a resource to educate caregivers including healthcare providers and personnel in long-term care settings about the flu and the importance of vaccination to protect adults 65 and older.
Nationally, 50-70% of flu hospitalizations were in patients over 65. Flu shots are especially important for healthcare workers and caregivers of vulnerable adults, said Barry Malinowski, MD, medical director for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio. Not only will getting a flu shot help reduce the chance of catching the illness, but it will also help reduce the severity if its contracted. Especially for people with underlying health conditions, the flu can turn into a serious, even deadly, illness.
For more information, contact:
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