INDIANAPOLIS, July 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE:
WLP) announced today that it will offer coverage for the administration of the
H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine when it becomes commercially available to the general
public. The vaccine administration will be covered for members whose benefit
plans provide coverage for vaccines.
WellPoint will also continue coverage of seasonal flu vaccine
administration for those whose health plans offer vaccine coverage. The U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that the H1N1 vaccine is
not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine. Seasonal flu and H1N1
vaccines may be administered on the same day, according to the CDC.
The decision to cover the H1N1 vaccine administration is based on formal
recommendations announced this week by the CDC's Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices. ACIP recommended initial prioritization for those
administering the vaccine for five key populations, including:
- pregnant women,
- people who live with or care for children younger than six months of
age,
- health care and emergency services personnel,
- children and young adults from 6 months old to 24 years old, and
- people from 25 through 64 years old if they have chronic medical
conditions that increase their risk of complications from influenza
infection.
ACIP also provided guidance regarding high risk groups to be targeted in
the event of a significant shortage of vaccine as well as recommendations for
the rest of the general population if the supply of vaccine exceeds the needs
of the target groups.
WellPoint's immunization policy decisions are based on recommendations
issued by ACIP and other nationally recognized organizations. ACIP is composed
of 15 experts in fields associated with immunization who provide advice and
guidance to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and CDC on the
most effective means to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases.
Vaccine administration is covered for members whose benefit plans provide
coverage for vaccines. Policyholders should confirm their specific benefits by
calling the toll-free telephone number listed on their insurance card.
About WellPoint, Inc.
WellPoint, Inc. is the largest health benefits company in terms of medical
membership in the United States. WellPoint is an independent licensee of the
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and serves its members as the Blue Cross
licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado,
Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30
counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (as the
Blue Cross Blue Shield licensee in 10 New York City metropolitan and
surrounding counties and as the Blue Cross or Blue Cross Blue Shield licensee
in selected upstate counties only), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the northern
Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.), Wisconsin; and through UniCare.
Additional information about WellPoint is available at www.wellpoint.com.
SOURCE: WellPoint, Inc.
CONTACT: for Media: Jill Becher, +1-262-523-4764 or Lori McLaughlin,
+1-317-488-6898, lori.mclaughlin2@wellpoint.com, or for Investor Relations,
Michael Kleinman, +1-317-488-6713, all of WellPoint, Inc.
Web Site: http://www.wellpoint.com
