Flu season is upon us. Begin now to take advantage of each office visit as an opportunity to encourage your patients to get a flu shot. It’s still their best defense against combating the flu this season. Medicare provides coverage of the flu vaccine without any out-of-pocket costs to the Medicare patient. No deductible or copayment/coinsurance applies. And don’t forget, health care personnel can spread the highly contagious flu virus to patients. Protect yourself and don’t get the flu. Get your flu shot.

Remember -- influenza vaccine plus its administration are covered Part B benefits. Note that influenza vaccine is not a Part D covered drug.

For information about Medicare’s coverage of the influenza virus vaccine and its administration as well as related educational resources for health care professionals, please go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/Downloads/flu_products.pdf on the CMS Web site.