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No free flu shots for some in Caroline
Medicare recipients in Caroline County are temporarily unable to receive free flu shotsDate published: 10/4/2009 BY PORTSIA SMITH Darlene Weaver has been getting flu shots at the Caroline County Health Department for as long as she can remember. The 70-year-old Ruther Glen woman called last week to find out when she, and her handicapped brother whom she cares for, could come get their shots. She said she was surprised to find out they couldn't receive the shot because they receive Medicare. "I was very unhappy," Weaver said. "Being my age and my brother being handicapped, I didn't want to put it off any longer." According to officials with the Virginia Department of Health's Rappahannock Area Health District, a billing glitch with the federal government will temporarily prevent Medicare recipients from receiving the flu shots at the Caroline Health Department. Caroline County is the only locality in the regional health district that has this issue. Regional health district Director John Petrasky told a group of regional elected officials Tuesday night that he is not sure when the glitch will be resolved or when senior citizens will be allowed to get their flu shots free of charge. Petrasky was giving a presentation on the H1N1 flu pandemic at the Regional Elected Officials Dinner at the county's visitors center, but he also addressed the Medicare situation. "We have been trying for six months to get this resolved," he said. "I cannot say when it will be resolved. There is someone at the state level who is addressing this. We hope it is soon." Petrasky explained that the Caroline office had to reapply for permission to give the flu shot because of a billing glitch that involved Medicare sending information to the wrong mailing address. This news didn't sit well with Supervisor Maxie Rozell. "This is why people lose confidence in their government," Rozell said. "These things should not happen when it involves people's lives. We have folks who can't get their flu shots and they are worried." In the meantime, flu shots will continue to be available for patients covered by Medicaid and those willing to pay $35 out of pocket. Weaver said she will look at other area pharmacies to get the flu shots instead of paying at the health department. "I will not pay Caroline County when we are entitled to [flu shots] for free through Medicare," she said. "I don't want other people who are entitled to make a trip to Bowling Green and find out they have to pay for it." Rozell has asked county staff to solicit the assistance of Sens. Mark Warner and Jim Webb, along with Caroline's congressional representatives. According to a news release, Caroline County contributes almost $325,000 to the Regional Health District for service in Caroline County. Portsia Smith: 540/374-5419
Read more stories about Caroline Date published: 10/4/2009
Government Health Care in Action
(posted by
Adv1sor
, Oct. 5, 2009 10:37 am)
Government Health Care in Action.
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