Congresswoman Hirono Introduces Legislation That Would Make Shingles Vaccine More Accessible to America’s Senior Citizens
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) today introduced the Shingles Prevention Act (H.R. 5877), legislation that will realign medical coverage for the shingles vaccine in order to make it more accessible to senior citizens.
“The Shingles Prevention Act will move shingles vaccine coverage to Part B – thus treating it in the same manner as the flu vaccine under Medicare, simplifying the process for physicians and beneficiaries, and lessening the cost burden for our seniors,” said Congresswoman Hirono.
The Federal Drug Administration approved the use of the shingles vaccine in 2006. Shingles is a disease caused by the same virus that triggers chickenpox. After an attack of chickenpox, the virus can lie dormant in the body for years. If it resurfaces, symptoms include painful blisters that may last for weeks, months, and sometimes years.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends adults 60 years or older receive the vaccine. However, current Medicare Part D coverage of the shingles vaccine falls short. Not all beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Part D, or any other sufficient drug prescription plan. Exacerbating the issue, Hirono explained, seniors also face high out-of-pocket costs due to a lack of coordination among doctors, pharmacies, and Part D plans. For example, there is no established direct billing method between doctors and plans for Part D vaccines.
“Because of this, beneficiaries typically must pay the full price up front, $150 or more, resulting in out-of-pocket costs that limit access to those that need the vaccine the most – our seniors,” said Congresswoman Hirono.
The introduction of the Shingles Prevention Act is Congresswoman Hirono’s latest effort to support common sense-driven, cost effective ways to increase high quality health care for America’s senior citizens.
Congresswoman Hirono said, “Not surprisingly, many seniors are not getting immunized against shingles. This low utilization rate contributes to the half a billion dollars of treatment costs per year and, for hundreds of thousands of seniors, many weeks spent suffering from a disease that could have been prevented.”
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