Does Medicare Cover the Shingles Vaccine In 2024? Get the Facts

CompareMedicarePlansPosted in Medicare last updated on December 4, 2023

As a senior, you have likely heard of the shingles vaccine. But does medicare cover the cost of it?

This is an important question to ask when considering whether or not to get vaccinated against this painful virus.

In order to make an informed decision about your health care needs, it’s essential that you understand what the shingles vaccine is and how it works, who should receive it and when they should do so, and importantly, under what circumstances Medicare covers the shingles vaccine.

What is the shingles vaccine?

The shingles vaccine, also known as the herpes zoster vaccine, is a shot that can help protect against getting shingles. It’s recommended for adults over 50 years old and those who have had chickenpox in the past.

The virus that causes chickenpox remains dormant in your nerve cells after you’ve had it and can reactivate later in life as shingles.

How Does the Shingles Vaccine Work?

The shingles vaccine works by introducing a weakened form of the virus into your body so that it can create immunity to fight off future infections from both chickenpox and shingles.

This process stimulates your immune system to recognize and remember how to fight off these viruses if they ever enter your body again.

Who Should Get the Shingles Vaccine?

Anyone over 50 years old should get vaccinated against shingles, even if they don’t remember having had chickenpox before or have never been diagnosed with it.

People who are immunocompromised due to medical conditions such as HIV/AIDS or cancer may need additional doses of this vaccine depending on their individual situation.

Additionally, people who have already had an episode of shingles should still get vaccinated since there’s no guarantee that you won’t experience another outbreak at some point down the line.

When Should You Get The Shingles Vaccine?

It’s best to get vaccinated soon after turning 50 years old because this age group has an increased risk for developing complications from contracting either chickenpox or shingles than younger individuals do.

However, anyone over 60 should definitely be sure to receive this vaccination regardless of when they first became eligible for it due to their higher risk level overall compared with other age groups.

In addition, pregnant women shouldn’t receive this particular vaccination until after giving birth since there isn’t enough data available yet about its safety during pregnancy stages currently available right now.

Does Medicare Cover The Cost Of The Shingles Vaccine?

In a sense, it does.

If you are enrolled in Medicare Part D or a Medicare Advantage plan, the shingles vaccine is likely covered.

Related – be sure to understand your Medigap options with the Medicare Supplement Plans Comparison Chart.

Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage covers most vaccines, including the shingles vaccine and those related to preventing illnesses such as pneumonia and influenza, as well as those designed for prevention against diseases like hepatitis B and HPV (human papillomavirus).

Additionally, Medicare Part B will cover all costs associated with receiving a doctor-administered injection, such as one needed for receiving a flu shot or any other type of inoculation required by law within certain states across America.

The shingles vaccine is an important preventative measure to help protect seniors from developing the painful condition.

Key Takeaway: Usually, Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage will cover the shingles vaccine.

How does the shingles vaccine work?

The shingles vaccine works by protecting against the varicella zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. The vaccine is made from a live, attenuated (weakened) form of the virus and is administered as an injection.

It works by stimulating your body’s immune system to produce antibodies that protect you from getting infected with the virus.

When injected into your arm or thigh muscle, it takes about two weeks for your body to build up immunity against the virus. Once you have been vaccinated, it will provide protection for several years before needing another dose of the vaccine.

It is recommended for adults aged 50 years and older who have not had chickenpox or been vaccinated against it. This age group has a higher risk of developing shingles due to their weakened immune systems as they get older.

People who are immunocompromised may also benefit from receiving this vaccination even if they are younger than 50 years old since their bodies may not be able to fight off infections as easily as someone without any underlying health conditions would be able to do so on their own.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all people over 60 receive one dose of the shingles vaccine regardless of whether or not they have had chickenpox in order to reduce their chances of developing shingles later in life.

Additionally, those between ages 50-59 should talk with their doctor about getting vaccinated if they haven’t already received one dose prior to turning 60 years old because there could still be some benefit.

Depending on individual circumstances – such as having a weakened immune system due to certain medical conditions like HIV/AIDS or cancer treatments like chemotherapy, which can suppress immunity levels significantly making them more susceptible towards contracting illnesses, like shingles.

The shingles vaccine is a safe and effective way to help prevent the development of shingles. Knowing how it works can help you make an informed decision about whether or not to get vaccinated.

Key Takeaway: The shingles vaccine works by stimulating your body’s immune system to create antibodies.

Who should get the shingles vaccine?

The shingles vaccine is recommended for adults aged 60 and over. It can be given to people aged 50 and over, but it is not as effective in this age group.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all adults aged 60 years or older should get the shingles vaccine regardless of whether they have had chickenpox before.

People who are at risk of serious complications from shingles may also be recommended to receive the vaccination even if they are younger than 60 years old.

This includes those with weakened immune systems due to certain medical conditions such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, organ transplants, or taking immunosuppressive drugs; pregnant women; and those who live in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

It is important to note that while the CDC recommends the shingles vaccine for everyone over the age of 60, some people should not get it because of their health condition or other factors.

These include individuals with a history of severe allergic reaction after receiving a dose of any varicella-containing vaccine (such as chickenpox), anyone who has ever had an episode of encephalitis caused by herpes zoster virus infection (shingles).

Further, anyone whose immune system is severely compromised due to disease or medication use, pregnant women, children under 18 years old, and anyone with active untreated tuberculosis should avoid the shingles vaccine.

Key Takeaway: The shingles vaccine is recommended for adults aged 60 and over, but may also be given to those at risk of serious complications even if they are younger.

When should you get the shingles vaccine?

The vaccine is most effective if given before the age of 70. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone over the age of 60 get vaccinated against shingles, regardless of whether they have had chickenpox in the past or not.

For those who are between ages 50 to 59, it’s important to talk with your doctor about whether you should get the vaccine based on your individual health history and risk factors. People who have a weakened immune system due to certain medical conditions may also benefit from getting vaccinated earlier than others.

Getting vaccinated at an early age can help protect people from developing shingles later in life when their immune systems may be weaker due to aging or other health issues. The CDC recommends that all adults over the age of 60 receive two doses of the shingles vaccine, separated by 2-6 months apart, for maximum protection against this painful virus.

If you’re already older than 70 years old, don’t worry – it’s still beneficial to get vaccinated even after this point! Studies show that even though immunity decreases with age, vaccination can still provide some level of protection against shingles up until around 85 years old.

Fortunately, Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage typically cover both doses of the Shingrix vaccine as well as Zostavax (the older version). Therefore, if you decide that getting vaccinated is right for you, there should not be any financial barriers preventing you from doing so.

FAQs in Relation to Does Medicare Cover the Shingles Vaccine?

Does Medicare pay for shingles shot in 2024?

Yes, Medicare will cover the shingles shot in 2024 – as long as you are enrolled in either Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage.

This vaccine is recommended for adults over the age of 50 to help prevent shingles and its complications. The coverage includes both the one-time vaccination fee and any related administration costs.

To get this benefit, you must be enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan, Medicare Advantage, or have other insurance that covers prescription drugs. If you don’t have either of these plans, contact your local health department to find out if they offer free vaccinations.

How much does a shingles shot cost with Medicare?

The cost of a shingles shot with Medicare depends on the type of coverage you have. Generally, if you have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) with Part D, the cost is covered in full as long as your doctor accepts assignment.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, the cost may vary depending on your specific plan’s coverage details. In some cases, there may be copayments or coinsurance associated with receiving a shingles shot.

It’s important to check with your insurance provider for more information about what costs are covered under your particular plan.

Is Shingrix free for seniors?

No, Shingrix is not free for seniors. Medicare Part D covers the cost of Shingrix in most cases, but there may be some out-of-pocket costs depending on the individual’s plan and coverage.

It is important to check with your insurance provider before getting vaccinated to understand what costs you may incur. Additionally, if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C), it is likely that you will need to pay for some of the vaccine out of pocket.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the shingles vaccine is an important part of protecting yourself from this painful and potentially serious condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults over the age of 60 get vaccinated against shingles.

Fortunately, Medicare does cover the cost of the shingles vaccine for those who are eligible. If you have questions about whether or not your specific plan covers it, be sure to contact your insurance provider directly to find out more information.

With the ever-increasing cost of healthcare, it is essential to make sure that you are getting the most out of your Medicare coverage. The Shingles Vaccine can help prevent a potentially life-altering disease and should be taken seriously by all seniors who qualify for Medicare.

That’s why CompareMedicarePlans was created – to provide resources so seniors can compare their options and find an insurance plan that covers the shingles vaccine in addition to other necessary services. Don’t wait any longer – take control of your health today with CompareMedicarePlans.