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 |  | Medium: Often covered by insurance |  | High: $5-$30 |
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Typical costs: |
- The cost of flu shots varies by location, but usually ranges between $5 and $30.
- Many health insurance plans cover flu shots as part of a wellness plan. For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina covers flu shots for members who have preventive care benefits. Flu shots are free for Medicare recipients, unless the provider charges more than Medicare reimburses.
- For those with health insurance, out-of-pocket expenses typically range from zero to a copay of $10 or $15.
Related articles: Travel Vaccinations, Teeth Cleaning, Mammogram, Colonoscopy, Blood Tests
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What should be included: |
- The flu shot, which usually is injected into the arm, contains inactive virus for the three strains of influenza expected to be most common that year. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1] offers an FAQ on flu shots.
Additional costs: |
- In addition to the flu shot, pneumonia shots also are recommended for anyone 65 or older and people with chronic illnesses or immunosuppression. Pneumonia shots often are covered by health insurance for high-risk individuals; otherwise, they usually cost slightly more than flu shots, ranging from $10 to $40 or more.
Discounts: |
- Some drugstores offer limited-time flu shot discounts of $5 or more off.
- Some employers offer free or discounted flu shots to their employees.
Shopping for a flu shot: |
- Flu shots can be obtained through a doctor's office or health clinic. Also, many drugstores, some supermarkets and some community organizations offer them. The American Lung Association[2] offers a flu shot locator by zip code.
- A nasal flu vaccine is available for healthy people age 5 to 49, who are not pregnant.
- Anyone who wants to reduce chances of getting the flu can be vaccinated. However vaccinations are strongly recommended for anyone at risk for flu-related complications, as well as anyone who lives with or cares for them.
- People who are allergic to eggs, have had allergic reactions to flu shots in the past, have a fever or have a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome should consult a doctor before getting a flu shot. Side effects of the flu shot can include soreness or redness at the site of the shot, a low-grade fever, aches and, in rare cases, an allergic reaction.
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
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| Posted by: Alberta in Muskegon, MI. | Posted: February 8th, 2021 01:02PM |
| Location: Muskegon Mi | Insurance Carrier: Blue Cross Medicare |
| Type of Policy: NA |
While at my annual physical my doctor asked if I would like to receive my flu shot after my exam. Not only did they charge $59 for the vaccine, $42 for the administration, but also $139 additional for a "clinic visit". I was already there for my physical and never moved from the exam table. From now on I will get my flu shot at the local pharmacy. |
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| Posted by: TERESA T KLEIN in KNOXVILLE, TN. | Posted: February 14th, 2019 05:02AM |
| Location: MD office | Insurance Carrier: United Health |
| Type of Policy: PPO |
$40. for vaccine
$50. for administration fee
I agree to pay $40. but refuse to pay the $50. administration fee
The billing office threatened to turn me over for collection-Had this MD for TEN years !!! GO anywhere else but your MD office for your flu shot !!! $30. at CVS, Walgreens, Target Boycott the MD office for this !!! |
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| Posted by: Frustrated about healthcare in Oconomowoc, WI. | Posted: November 26th, 2017 04:11PM |
| Location: ProHealth Care, WI | Insurance Carrier: Anthem |
I offered to pay the $35 flu shot cost with my debit card, but the woman insisted on billing my insurance. Turns out Anthem doesn't cover flu shots, so now I have to pay the $35 plus the $69 administrative fee, which was never disclosed to me. I have called "customer service" and they refuse to drop the administrative fee. |
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| Posted by: Sue from upstate in West Babylon, NY. | Posted: October 7th, 2017 08:10AM |
| Location: Doctor's Office | Insurance Carrier: None |
| Type of Policy: None |
Cost $50 through Catholic Heath Services, should have gone to CVS for $25 and a lot less hassle. |
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| Posted by: Steven N. in Cuyahoga Falls, OH. | Posted: January 22nd, 2017 05:01PM |
| Location: Northhampton Primary Care | Insurance Carrier: Blue Cross |
| Type of Policy: PPO |
Not sure doctors office is the most economical place to get a flu shot @ $102, and to top it off Blue Cross won't cover the service. What a joke! |
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| Posted by: evolvingarts in Durham, NC. | Posted: December 25th, 2016 09:12AM |
| Location: Durham NC | Insurance Carrier: VA |
| Type of Policy: Disability |
Veterans do get free flu shots, however, do not arrive after Thanksgiving--after which it is necessary to sit in line and wait for the next available nurse. My waiting time was 2 hours. Before Thanksgiving, it would have been about five minutes. |
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| Posted by: Ellen T. in Boca Raton, FL. | Posted: December 15th, 2016 01:12PM |
| Location: Palmetto & Powerline | Insurance Carrier: Medicare & Medicaid |
| Type of Policy: Part A & B |
PR PCV13 Pneumonia/Prevnar Vaccine and Pneumococcal Vaccine. Not covered by insurance. I have too pay $206.00 High price for a Senior to pay. |
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| Posted by: Cruzer1 in Kingsburg, CA. | Posted: February 6th, 2016 06:02PM |
| Location: Kingsburg, Ca | Insurance Carrier: Blue Shield & Medicare |
| Type of Policy: Full coverage |
Wife and I have always gotten the flu shot at our doctor's office and our insurance paid. Now that we both have Medicare in addition to Blue Shield we are charged an administrative fee of $50 in addition to the $30 for the shot which at this point may come out of pocket. |
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| Posted by: befuddled in Phoenix, AZ. | Posted: November 30th, 2014 06:11AM |
| Location: phoenix VA | Insurance Carrier: United healthcare Medicare |
| Type of Policy: secondary |
I am a veteran, My insurance was charged 428.59 for immunization and 86.16 for misc services. insurance paid 102.96 and my bill is 411.80. I just went in for the flu shot 2014. |
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| Posted by: SouthTexasTom in McAllen, TX. | Posted: November 18th, 2014 04:11PM |
| Location: McAllen Texas | Insurance Carrier: Medicare, Mutual of Omaha |
| Type of Policy: Medicare + Supplement |
Received "past due" notice for $45.00 from doctor. Upon inquiry, I was told that both Medicare and my supplemental plan declined flu shot coverage. Stupid me, I paid the bill before verifying that this was true. Turns out Medicare DOES cover flue shots EXCEPT when the amount exceeds what they allow. |
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| Posted by: Not happy! in Charlottesville, VA. | Posted: November 12th, 2014 01:11PM |
The Med Express in Virginia quoted a price of $30 for a flu shot. I should have just paid it, but unfortunately I was silly enough to present my insurance card, for which Med Express billed $45.00! The "negotiated" rate came to $37 which it turns out my insurance won't cover. Such a ripoff! Why should the charge for a shot be $15.00 higher if Med express bills insurance? I'm going to appeal this charge. |
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| Posted by: Rachel T in Pekin, IL. | Posted: November 8th, 2014 06:11PM |
| Location: Walgreens Pekin IL | Insurance Carrier: self pay |
Family of 3 was $96. They asked what insurance & When I said who I had they said, "Cash price then?" So they already knew my carrier (First Choice) did not cover the shots? |
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| Posted by: Tex Girl in Allen, TX. | Posted: November 6th, 2014 10:11AM |
| Type of Policy: uninsured |
Much less painful and less costly than influenza! |
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| Posted by: a user in Palmyra, PA. | Posted: November 5th, 2014 09:11AM |
| Location: UPS | Insurance Carrier: Blue Cross Blue Shield |
| Type of Policy: UPS |
Flu shots are not covered, period, even if you are 65 or over. |
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| Posted by: T. in Oak Harbor, WA. | Posted: October 17th, 2013 02:10PM |
| Location: Island Drug Pharmacy | Insurance Carrier: Regency Blue |
| Type of Policy: FEP |
Both my wife and I got the shot. Medicare covered mine, and Regency Blue Cross of Seattle WA. covered hers.
We have gotten the shots for years now and they have been completely covered by our insurance. |
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| Posted by: George Eager in Charlottesville, VA. | Posted: September 27th, 2013 05:09PM |
| Location: Waynesboro VA | Insurance Carrier: Horizon Blue Cross / BS |
| Type of Policy: Family |
Paid the same $15 co-pay as always, and got flu shot, blood work, and consult with my doc about a rash. My insurance is NJ State Retirees plan and I am so glad I've got it!Thank you, NJ taxpayers & Gov Christy! |
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| Posted by: lilyred in Cherokee, AL. | Posted: April 4th, 2013 11:04AM |
| Location: Cherokee, AL | Insurance Carrier: Coventry Healthcare |
Got flu shot in NP office, charged me $30 cash and bill my ins. $53, which they paid. I thought I was paying for the shot, dumb me. THey billed the ins., also. Will go to drug store and pay cash next time. |
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| Posted by: BetsyB in Plattsburgh, NY. | Posted: January 22nd, 2013 05:01AM |
| Location: Plattsburgh, NY | Insurance Carrier: NYSHIP Empire Plan |
| Type of Policy: PPO |
It would have been covered at the doctor's office, but I don't believe they offer it because it needs specific storage. Why doesn't health insurance cover vaccines from the pharmacy? |
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| Posted by: marcus starman in overland park, KS. | Posted: January 21st, 2013 01:01AM |
| Location: None | Insurance Carrier: Self |
| Type of Policy: Self |
From the top of this page: The flu shot contains inactive virus for the three strains of influenza expected to be most common that year.
"Expected"...wow in the world is that calculated?
Also, from the CDC site the article points to: How effective is the flu shot?
The ability of a flu vaccine to protect a person depends on the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine, and the similarity or match between the viruses or virus in the vaccine and those in circulation.
Translation: we have no idea how effective it is.
Nice. |
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| Posted by: Henry B in Charlotte, NC. | Posted: January 17th, 2013 02:01PM |
| Location: Novant Medical Group | Insurance Carrier: BCBS of NC |
Have two children - got their flu shots for $26 a piece, then was charged a fee of $49 a piece for some medical coding you can't even make out. Novant Medical Group - once again sticking it to the public! |
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| Posted by: Lori K-M in Sparks, NV. | Posted: January 17th, 2013 01:01PM |
| Location: Walmart Clinic Sparks NV | Insurance Carrier: CIGNA |
| Type of Policy: Open Access |
St. Mary's clinic inside Walmart offered $27 shots in October. Offered to pay cash, they insisted on using my insurance. Paid $25 copay. Insurance company was billed $76 to give me the shot, $47 for the shot itself. Both denied. So now I have a bill from St. Mary's for $123. And I still got the flu. |
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| Posted by: Cutiepie in West Hollywood, CA. | Posted: January 15th, 2013 09:01AM |
| Location: Target West Hollywood | Insurance Carrier: Anthem |
| Type of Policy: HMO |
Free flu shot with Anthem HMO at Target but they do not administer the shot for kids under 9 years old. |
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| Posted by: TomD in Garner, NC. | Posted: January 13th, 2013 08:01PM |
| Location: Nextcare Urgent Care | Insurance Carrier: None |
| Type of Policy: None |
Nextcare Urgent Care Centers offers the flu shot for $25. I don't have insurance but they do accept a number of health plans. Limited locations in only the following states - AZ, CO, NC, OH, OK, TX, & VA |
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| Posted by: a user in Hong Kong, Other. | Posted: January 12th, 2013 02:01AM |
| Location: Hong Kong | Insurance Carrier: none |
The cost of the vaccine was $21.93 and the other bit was for the procedure. |
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| Posted by: jdem615 in Auburn, AL. | Posted: January 10th, 2013 11:01AM |
| Location: Auburn Ped. and Adult Med | Insurance Carrier: Medicare |
I can't believe they charged 20.00 for the shot, which that was okay.They charged 30.00, more than the shot itself just for injecting it!!! They did not even tell me about that charge!! Thank goodness I didn't let them give me a shot for pain!! I can only imagine what that would have been. SOOOOO UNPROFESSIONAL not to foreclose this information to patients so they have a choice. |
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| Posted by: Ebenezer in Parsippany, NJ. | Posted: January 9th, 2013 01:01PM |
| Location: Parsippany NJ | Insurance Carrier: None |
| Type of Policy: NA |
I just walked out of the Walgreen Pharmacy in Parsippany New Jersey. They were going to charge me $ 37. I have no health insurance so cost is important to me.It is shameful that they take advantage of senior citizens. |
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External Resources: |
- www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/flushot.htm
- www.lung.org/lung-disease/influenza/flu-vaccine-finder/
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