For the over 65’s it is particularly important to get their flu vaccine each year, and this year with the pandemic, even more so. Our elderly loved ones are at a greater risk from the flu virus as they age because their immune systems become less efficient, and so less able to fight the flu viruses, and the health consequences can be very serious.
f you have Medicare Part B you are covered for a flu shot at Rite Aid, and as Rite Aid accepts assignment you will have no deductible or coinsurance to pay. Rites Aid should bill Medicare directly.
If you have Medicare Part C (an Advantage plan) you are entitled to the same services as Medicare Parts A and B, but you will need to check with your plan provider that Rite Aid is in their network of pharmacies, before you get your flu shot, as you need to stay within the provider’s network to have coverage.
Contents Overview & Quicklinks
How to organize your flu shot at Rite Aid ?
Why is it important for the elderly to get flu shots ?
What are the different types of flu vaccine available ?
Does Medicare pay for the quadrivalent flu vaccine ?
What other vaccines are available at Rite Aid ?
Does Medicare pay for flu shots at a pharmacy ?
Does Medicare pay for flu shots at Walgreens ?
How to sort out your flu shot at Walgreens ?
What is the cost of a flu shot at Walgreens without insurance ?
Does Medicare cover flu shots at Walmart ?
How to arrange your flu shot at Walmart ?
Does Medicare cover flu shots at Costco ?
How do I arrange my flu shot at Costco ?
What do flu vaccines cost at Costco without insurance ?
Does Medicare pay for flu shots at CVS ?
Rite Aid in-store flu shots
Which flu shots are available at Rite Aid ?
You can get the following influenza vaccines at Rite Aid –
Quadrivalent Flu Vaccine – this a vaccine with four strains of flu virus
High Dose Flu Vaccine – for the over 65’s
How to organize your flu shot at Rite Aid ?
Locate a Rite Aid pharmacy in your area
Rite Aid has a store locator tool here on their website here, or you can call 1-800-RITE-AID to locate a Rite Aid pharmacy that’s near to you.
Fill out an Immunization and Screening Consent Form in advance
Immunization Screening and Consent Forms are available for download from the Rite Aid website.
If you download and fill one out before you go, you can speed up the time you are there.
You can download the form here.
Walk-in appointments
Rite Aid only offers walk-in appointments for flu shots without advanced booking – you just turn up at their pharmacy and request a flu shot.
But do remember to take –
- a valid ID
- proof of Medicare insurance
- a face mask
- and the filled out Immunization and Screening Consent Form (if you want to have things go a little quicker)
How much is the flu vaccine at Rite Aid if you have to pay ?
If you have to pay for your flu vaccine at Rite Aid it costs –
- quadrivalent flu vaccine – $31.99
- high dose flu vaccine – $60.99
Why is it important for the elderly to get flu shots ?
There are three main groups of people who are at the greatest risk from the flu virus, and they are –
- the elderly
- young children under the age of 5
- people with certain underlying health conditions
Unfortunately, the elderly, and by elderly we mean the over 65’s, are often in two of these three categories, making the risk even greater.
Every year, the elderly account for 9 out of the deaths from flu, and for 6 out of the 10 hospital stays caused by flu.
Source: NCOA Center for Benefits Access – “Vaccines: What Medicare pays for” – read that here.
In addition, the older your loved one is, the less resistance they will have to catching the flu catch if they come into contact with the influenza virus, and the greater the chance that they will develop complications as a result.
Underlying health conditions will also make an elderly person even more susceptible to a greater risk of complications if they catch the flu, putting many elderly adults at greater risk again.
The following underlying health conditions can put an individual at increased risk of greater complications from flu include –
- heart disease
- asthma or COPD
- diabetes
- liver disease
- kidney disease
- a compromised immune system
If you are the caregiver for an elderly person, and you have children, it is a good idea for you and your children to get a flu shot, so that you all lower your chances of catching flu and then passing it on.
What are the different types of flu vaccine available ?
The standard influenza vaccines available to adults are –
- Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine
- High-Dose Flu Vaccine
- Intradermal Influenza Vaccine
- Adjuvanted Vaccine
- Cell-based Flu Vaccine
- Recombinant Flu Vaccines
- Nasal Spray Vaccine
The influenza vaccines specifically for the over 65’s are –
- High-Dose Flu Vaccine
- Adjuvanted Vaccine
You can find out more at the Centers for Disease and Prevention website here.
Does Medicare pay for the quadrivalent flu vaccine ?
Medicare Part B covers Quadrivalent influenza vaccines.
The following is the list of influenza quadrivalent vaccines covered by Medicare Part B for the 2020 -2021 season, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
- Fluad Quadrivalent
- Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent
- Flucevax Quadrivalent
- FluMist Quadrivalent
- Flubok Quadrivalent
- Fluzone Quadrivalent
- Afluria Quadrivalent
- Fluarix Quadrivalent
- Flulaval Quadrivalent
You will find the list here on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website.
What other vaccines are available at Rite Aid ?
Rite Aid offers a number of other vaccines, including the following –
- Chickenpox
- Diptheria
- Haemophilus Influenzae (HIB)
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Japanes Encephalitis
- Measles
- Meningitis
- Mumps
- Pneumonia
- Polio
- Rubella
- Shingles
- Tetanus
- Typhoid
- Whooping Cough/Pertussis
- Yellow Fever
Does Medicare pay for flu shots at a pharmacy ?
Medicare Part B will cover one flu shot per flu season at a pharmacy, if the pharmacy is Medicare-enrolled and accepts assignment.
For both flu and pneumonia vaccines alike, so long as the pharmacy is Medicare-enrolled and accepts assignment, there is no deductible or coinsurance to pay.
In this case, the pharmacy should bill Medicare directly for you, and you should have nothing to pay.
Always have a pharmacy forward any new vaccine information to your primary care doctor.
Does Medicare pay for flu shots at Walgreens ?
Medicare Part B does cover one flu shot per season at Walgreens’ pharmacies for people who have Medicare Part B.
Walgreens are Medicare-enrolled and do accept assignment, so you have deductible or coinsurance to pay.
Walgreens should bill Medicare directly, so you have nothing to pay out of pocket for a flu shot.
If you have an Advantage plan (Medicare Part C) you are entitled to the same services as Medicare Part B, but you need to ask your plan provider if Walgreens is a pharmacy within their network – you will have to get services from the providers that your plan instructs you to, or you will usually end up paying for the services yourself.
Flu shots at Walgreens
Which flu vaccines are given at Walgreens ?
The flu shots available at Walgreens –
- quadrivalent flu vaccines
- high dose flu vaccines designed to produce an enhanced immune system response for seniors over 65 years
Don’t forget that you need to take your Medicare insurance information, a photo ID to your appointment.
To speed you appointment time up complete the assessment/consent form, in advance, and which you can download and print out here.
You can find the form on the Walgreens website here.
How to sort out your flu shot at Walgreens ?
What are your options of getting a flu shot at Walgreens –
- book an appointment online on the Walgreens website
- use the Walgreens App to book an appointment
- walk into a Walgreens and get a flu shot
Book your appointment at a Walgreens online
You can book an appointment for a flu shot at a Walgreens pharmacy using the Walgreens online store locator here.
You can download the Informed Consent For Vaccination Form here, to fill out prior to your appointment to speed up your actual appointment.
At the time of your appointment, you will need to take –
- a valid ID
- proof of your Medicare insurance
- a face mask
- and your informed consent form (this is optional, as you can fill one out in the pharmacy)
Book an appointment using the Walgreens App
You can also book an appointment for a flu shot at one of their pharmacies with the Walgreens Mobile App, through “Walgreens Find Care”.
Again don’t forget, if you want to speed up your flu shot appointment, to download the Informed Consent for Vaccination form here, and fill it out before you go to the pharmacy.
For the flu shot appointment, you need to take –
- a valid ID
- a face mask
- proof of Medicare insurance
Walk-in appointments at Walgreens
At Walgreens, you can also walk in to get your flu shot without a pre-booked appointment – but doing it this way, you will have to wait until the person who administers the flu shots is available.
To speed up the process in the pharmacy, you can once again go online beforehand and download the Informed Consent for Vaccination form here and have that filled out and ready.
You will also need to have with you –
- a valid ID
- proof of your Medicare Insurance
- a face mask to wear in the store
What is the cost of a flu shot at Walgreens without insurance ?
Flu vaccines without insurance cost –
- quadrivalent flu vaccine – $31.99
- high does flu vaccine – $54.00
Does Medicare cover flu shots at Walmart ?
Flu shots at Walmart, if you are enrolled in Medicare Part B, are covered by Medicare – just one flu shot per season.
Walmart’s pharmacies are Medicare-enrolled providers and accept assignment, so there is no deductible or coinsurance to pay.
Walmart should bill Medicare directly once you have had your flu shot.
If you have Medicare part C (an Advantage Plan) you need to check that Walmart is an accepted provider in your plan network.
Walmart in-store flu shots
Which flu vaccines are available at Walmart ?
Two types of influenza vaccines are available at Walmart –
- quadrivalent flu vaccine
- high dose flu vaccine – for the over 65’s
How to arrange your flu shot at Walmart ?
To arrange a flu shot at Walmart –
- use Walmart Mobile App to book an appointment
- go to a special flu shot event
- walk into a Walmart pharmacy and get a flu shot a flu shot and await your turn
Digital Appointment Scheduler
With the Digital Appointment Scheduler on the Walmart Mobile App, you can book an appointment at a Walmart pharmacy.
At your appointment before you are given the flu shot, you will be screened for Covid-19.
The Walmart Mobile App is available here.
Walk-in appointments
As well as booking an appointment, you can just walk in and ask for flu shots.
It is a good idea to call your local Walmart store and check they have a pharmacy, and that the walk-in appointments are available.
How much is Walmart flu vaccine if you have to pay ?
If you have to pay for a flu vaccine at Walmart, it will cost you –
- quadrivalent flu vaccine – $25.00
- high dose flu vaccine (this is for 0ver 65’s) – $48.00
Does Medicare cover flu shots at Costco ?
Flu shots at Costco are covered if you are enrolled in Medicare Part B. medicare will cover one flu shot per season.
Costco is Medicare-enrolled and accepts assignment, so will bill Medicare directly for you, and you will have nothing to pay – no deductible or coinsurance to pay.
If you are enrolled in an Advantage plan (Medicare Part C) you are entitled to the same coverage as Medicare Part B, but the providers may not be the same, so you will need to check with your plan provider whether, or not Costco is in their network of providers.
If Costco is not in their network, you will typically have to pay for the flu shots yourself – but your plan will have pharmacies in their network where your flu shot is totally covered.
Costco’s pharmacies are open to all, so you do not have to be a member of Costco to use their pharmacies.
Costco’s flu shots
What are the flu vaccines is Costco offering ?
The following influenza vaccines are available at Costco –
- Afluria – Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine
- Flucelvax – Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine
- Fluad – High Dose Influenza Vaccine for seniors
How do I arrange my flu shot at Costco ?
To arrange your vaccination at Costco, you will need to –
- locate a Costco with a pharmacy near you (most but not all have a pharmacy)
- download your Immunization Consent Form and fill it out prior to your appointment to speed things up
- book a flu shot appointment online
- walk into a Costco pharmacy for a flu shot without an appointment
Locate a Costco with a pharmacy near you
Costco has a store locator on their website, which you can use to find a Costco near you.
Go here to use their store locator tool.
Book your flu shot appointment online with Costco
You can make an appointment for a flu shot at a Costco pharmacy on their website, you can reserve a time here.
To speed up your flu shot appointment in the store, you can download the Immunization Consent Form ahead of time, as well, and fill that out before you go.
You will also need to take a valid ID and proof of Medicare insurance when you have your appointment for the actual flu shot at Costco.
Walk into Costco and get a flu shot, their pharmacy
If you don’t want to book an appointment online, you can just walk into a Costco pharmacy and ask for a flu shot. You may have to wait until the staff who administer the flu shots become available.
If you want to speed up your time in the pharmacy you can always download the Immunization Consent Form from the Costco website and fill it out before you go there.
The pharmacy will also want to see a valid ID and proof of your Medicare Part B insurance.
Download the Immunization Consent Form
Whether, or not, you make to book an appointment for a flu shot at a Costco pharmacy, before you go you may want to download the Immunization Consent Form here.
Costco will provide you with one if you have not downloaded a copy.
What do flu vaccines cost at Costco without insurance ?
If you have to pay for the flu shots out-of-pocket at Costco, they will cost –
- Afluria or Flucelvax quadrivalent flu vaccines (members and non-members) – $19.99
- Fluad high-dose flu vaccine for seniors – $46.99
Does Medicare pay for flu shots at CVS ?
If you are enrolled in Medicare Part B, flu shots at CVS are covered.
CVS is a Medicare-enrolled pharmacy and accepts assignment, which in short means that you have no deductible or co-insurance to pay.
Normally, CVS will bill Medicare directly for your flu shot.
If you have Medicare Part C (Advantage Plan) you are covered for the same services as Medicare Part B, but you would be advised to check that CVS is a provider in your plan’s network, or you may find you have to pay out-of-pocket yourself.
Remember to ask the pharmacist to forward the information of your flu vaccine to your primary care doctor.
What are the vaccines are covered by Medicare ?
The vaccines covered by Medicare Part B are –
- the Influenza vaccine
- the Pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine
- the Hepatitis B Vaccine – in high risk cases
- the Tetanus Vaccine – in the case of an illness or injury
I have a lengthy article on vaccines covered by Medicare Part B explaining the conditions for the vaccine coverage more fully, which you can read here.
Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) covers –
Medicare part C covers the same vaccines as Medicare Part B, and in addition, some plans also cover Shingles and both of the Tetanus vaccines.
Use a provider (i.e. pharmacy and staff) who is approved by your plan, and you will not have to pay either the deductible or the coinsurance payment of the vaccine – but you will need to check with your insurance provider which pharmacies you may use.
Medicare Part D covers –
Medicare Part D plans (Drug plans) cover vaccines which are commercially available and not covered by Medicare Part B.
Vaccines required for foreign travel, such as Yellow Fever, are covered under Medicare Part D plans.
The amount of any deductibles and co-pays will depend strictly on the plan that you have chosen.
Free help with understanding Medicare
SHIP – State Health Insurance Assistance Programs
Free assistance and services for understanding your Medicare, Medicaid and Medigap benefits are available from your state program.
Typically, you will talk to someone over the phone, making it very convenient
The following article outlines how to contact your SHIP – “Free Help Understanding Medicare And Medicaid ? Here’s Where You Get It”.
I’m Gareth, the author and owner of Looking After Mom and Dad.com
I have been a caregiver for over 10 yrs and share all my tips here.
