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 or give 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.