Did you know about 1 million Americans go to the hospital with pneumonia every year?
Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by pneumococcal disease, which can also cause blood infections and meningitis. The bacteria that causes pneumococcal disease spreads by direct person-to-person contact.
The pneumococcal shot is the best way to help prevent certain types of pneumonia and other pneumococcal infections. Medicare Part B covers the initial shot, plus a second shot (a year after you’ve gotten the initial shot). Talk with your doctor to see if you need one or both shots.
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers 2 different pneumococcal shots. Part B covers the first shot at any time and a different, second shot if it’s given at least one year after the first shot.
Your costs in Original Medicare
You pay nothing for pneumococcal shots if your doctor or other qualified health care provider accepts assignment.
Note:
Your doctor or other health care provider may recommend you get services more often than Medicare covers. Or, they may recommend services that Medicare doesn’t cover. If this happens, you may have to pay some or all of the costs. Ask questions so you understand why your doctor is recommending certain services and whether Medicare will pay for them.
What it is
The 2 shots protect against different strains of the bacteria.
Things to know
Talk with your doctor or other health care provider to see if you need one or both shots.
Leave a Reply
Did you find this article helpful? Let us know below!