Fight Off the Flu

View flu vaccine availability at your local military clinic.

Cooler temperatures, changing leaves and shorter days aren’t the only hallmarks of the fall season. It’s also time to prepare for flu season.

View flu video – Dr. (Maj) Laura Moore of the 56th Medical Group discusses who is at the highest risk of developing the flu this year and the benefits of getting vaccinated.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year in the U.S.:

• 5 to 20% of the population gets the flu
• More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications
• Approximately 36,000 people die from the flu

You can help prevent the flu from affecting you and your family this season by getting a vaccination, preferably in October or November, although it can still be beneficial to get vaccinated in December or later. Flu season typically peaks in February, but can begin as early as October and last as late as May.

Flu Questions & Answers:

• Is the flu shot a TRICARE-covered benefit?
  A flu shot is a covered preventive services benefit for all TRICARE Prime, Standard and Extra beneficiaries.
• Where can I get a flu shot?
  Prime: Consult your primary care manager about getting the vaccination. If you are enrolled at a military treatment facility, contact the facility to find out if and when flu shots are offered. We strongly suggest obtaining a flu shot from a TRICARE network provider. Flu shots received from non-network providers require a prior authorization and are subject to point-of-service charges.
  
  Standard/Extra: You may use any TRICARE-authorized provider; deductibles and cost-shares apply.
• Can I get a flu shot from my neighborhood grocery store or shopping mall?
  Flu clinics run by the Department of Public Health, in grocery stores, pharmacies and in shopping malls for example, may provide convenience, but are not equipped to file claims, nor do they use TRICARE-authorized providers. The cost for vaccination by non-TRICARE-authorized providers will not be reimbursed by TRICARE.
• Is there any cost to me?
  If the provider that administers the flu vaccination is not a TRICARE-authorized provider, then the beneficiary is responsible for all related costs; TRICARE will not reimburse you for non-emergency services received by a provider that is not a TRICARE-authorized provider. Please refer to TriWest's TRICARE Provider Directory to find a TRICARE network provider near you.
• Do I need a referral or authorization?
  Prime: If you get a flu shot from a network provider, you do not need a referral or authorization from your Primary Care Manager (PCM). Flu shots received from non-network providers require a prior authorization and are subject to point-of-service charges for TRICARE Prime beneficiaries.
  
  Standard/Extra: There is no authorization or referral required.
• What is Point-of-Service?
  Point-of-service or POS allows TRICARE Prime and Prime Remote beneficiaries to obtain TRICARE-covered non-emergency services from a provider outside of TRICARE’s network without a prior authorization or referral. While this provides flexibility, POS requires that patients pay an annual deductible of $300 for an individual or $600 for a family. Once the deductible is met, the cost-share is 50% of the TRICARE allowable charge.
• Who should get a flu shot?
  Consult your physician before getting vaccinated, but generally anyone 6 months of age and older who wants to fight off the flu can get vaccinated. The vaccine is strongly recommended for those at high risk, including:
  
  

  • People 50 years of age and older
  • Children 6 months to 18 years old
  • People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
  • People of any age with certain chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease
  • Those with a weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS, long-term treatment with drugs such as steroids, or cancer treatment with x-rays
  • Individuals 6 months to 18 years of age on long-term aspirin treatment
  • Women who will be pregnant during flu season
• Who should not get a flu shot?
  Consult your doctor before getting vaccinated, especially if you:
  
  

  • Have a severe chicken egg allergy
  • Have ever had a severe allergic reaction to an influenza vaccination
  • Are ill; wait until you recover to get vaccinated
  • Have ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome

  NOTE: Children younger than 6 months should not have an influenza vaccination.
• What is FluMist?
  FluMist is a needle-free flu vaccine; it is a gentle mist that is sprayed into the nose.
• Is FluMist a TRICARE-covered benefit?
  FluMist is a covered benefit for TRICARE Prime, Standard, and Extra beneficiaries aged 2-49 years.
• Should anyone avoid getting FluMist?
  Adults age 50 and older, pregnant women, children under 24 months of age, children with asthma, and children under the age of 5 years with recurrent wheezing should not get FluMist.
• When is the flu season?
  Flu season typically peaks in February, but can begin as early as October and last as late as May.
• What are symptoms of the flu?
  • High fever usually with chills
  • Headache
  • Extreme tiredness
  • Dry cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Muscle aches
  • Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• How long do symptoms usually last?
  Most people recover from the flu in 1-2 weeks; however, some people, especially the elderly and young children, can experience serious flu-related complications.
• Where can I find more information?
  Contact your physician with questions or concerns. For general flu information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web site at www.cdc.gov.

Download a copy of these questions and answers here.