Is this legal? dr question.

[DVC Sadie]

But the folks on self-pay or non-govt insurance ARE getting turned away.

Thats not right. No child should be denied due to the parents ability to pay.

 

[DVC Sadie]

Same way here where I work in Maryland. Right now we are out of federally funded vaccine. But we just got a shipment of private. So right now Medicaid patients are out of luck and commercial insurance and self pay can get it. But last week it was just the opposite. We had federal and was out of private so the commerical insurance and self pay were out of luck.

Believe me, I am tired of being yelled at, cussed out, you get the picture. All because we don't have the particular vaccine a person needs. We do the best we can. We have to follow the law.

True but unfortunate saying, "you can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please all the people all of the time".

I wouldn't trade places with you right now for all the face masks in China. Well maybe for all of the face masks.

I'm sure you and your staff are taking a verbal beating right now due to shortages and the rotation of the vaccine. Just know that I feel for you guys and hope you stay healthy while doing your best for the "masses".

 

[DizBelle]

Thats not right. No child should be denied due to the parents ability to pay.

And they shouldn't be denied because the CAN pay either.

"Sorry, ma'am. Yes we do have the exact vaccine you want and need. But you can't have it because you aren't in the right income bracket."

Why isn'th this working like insurance? Would you be denied an exam service because you are in the wrong income bracket? No, you would get your exam and the claim would be submitted to the appropriate agency for payment (medicaid or private insurance).

Why should anyone be denied the vaccine if the vaccine is there and the patient is there to receive it?

 

[Liberty Belle]

My friends son was denied the flu shot because she doesn't have the access card (pa welfare insurance) he said they get the shots first then what ever is left will go to those on regular insurance.. is this legal?

OT, but...

Is that Anthony in your signature?! What are you feeding that kid?! I can't believe how tall he is!

 

[HelenePA]

OT, but...

Is that Anthony in your signature?! What are you feeding that kid?! I can't believe how tall he is!

Yes that is Anthony! He is my giant!

 

[wdwmom2]

I'm sure you and your staff are taking a verbal beating right now due to shortages and the rotation of the vaccine. Just know that I feel for you guys and hope you stay healthy while doing your best for the "masses".

I could just hug you right now!!! Thank you for the kind words!!!

Yes, we do our best. But we have to do it within the confines of the law.

 

[DVC Sadie]

I could just hug you right now!!! Thank you for the kind words!!!

Yes, we do our best. But we have to do it within the confines of the law.

You're very welcome and I do understand.

I think what the major problem people are having is that no one knew that the shipments of vaccine would be separated into two different types of distribution. Having to separate between public and private has really confused and stressed people to their limits which isn't helping anything or anyone.

 

[DVC Sadie]

And they shouldn't be denied because the CAN pay either.

"Sorry, ma'am. Yes we do have the exact vaccine you want and need. But you can't have it because you aren't in the right income bracket."

Why isn'th this working like insurance? Would you be denied an exam service because you are in the wrong income bracket? No, you would get your exam and the claim would be submitted to the appropriate agency for payment (medicaid or private insurance).

Why should anyone be denied the vaccine if the vaccine is there and the patient is there to receive it?

I agree with you that people should not be denied because they can pay.

What I see is that the government has allocated a certain percentage of vaccine to be used in a certain way and the health care professionals cannot dispense it to anyone who it was not intended.

It's very frustrating to everyone and I guess when the private vaccines become available then those will be handled through the insurance.

 

[HelenePA]

I assumed (there I go again) that if the dr had any vaccine in stock and someone on the access card came in and wanted the shot they would get it.. apparently I assume too much! I feel horrible for those working in ped dr offices right now. Us parents must be a PITA! I'm so sorry! I have no idea if my dr ordered too little for private insurances. Heck I dont even see him til next week. He has to go back for his 12 month appointment because they schedualed it for the DAY before his birthday and weren't allowed to give us his shots til the day of or after.. I laughed at them when they told us they would just have us come back again the next day.. Uh NO. So we go back next week a month later.. Thank you all for schooling me on how all this worked. I really had no idea..

 

[Abbie]

I agree with you that people should not be denied because they can pay.

What I see is that the government has allocated a certain percentage of vaccine to be used in a certain way and the health care professionals cannot dispense it to anyone who it was not intended.

It's very frustrating to everyone and I guess when the private vaccines become available then those will be handled through the insurance.

I haven't read the entire thread but I did notice several people have mentioned this. Yes, some of the vaccine has been set aside in order to vaccinate uninsured children and those doses can't be used for private insurance patients. But as an insured patient, whether you can get a shot or not depends solely on how much of the vaccine your office ordered. It's no different that going to a store and buying milk. If the store is out of milk, it's out of milk. Your options become wait until it is restocked or go to another store. Insured patients aren't being denied the vaccine unless it's simply not there. Unfortunately, production was halted to make way for the H1N1 and the option of just ordering more most likely isn't an option at all. That leaves you with the other option, which is to try to find another place to get the vaccination like a local pharmacy or grocery store.

 

[HelenePA]

I haven't read the entire thread but I did notice several people have mentioned this. Yes, some of the vaccine has been set aside in order to vaccinate uninsured children and those doses can't be used for private insurance patients. But as an insured patient, whether you can get a shot or not depends solely on how much of the vaccine your office ordered. It's no different that going to a store and buying milk. If the store is out of milk, it's out of milk. Your options become wait until it is restocked or go to another store. Insured patients aren't being denied the vaccine unless it's simply not there. Unfortunately, production was halted to make way for the H1N1 and the option of just ordering more most likely isn't an option at all. That leaves you with the other option, which is to try to find another place to get the vaccination like a local pharmacy or grocery store.

Well see there is where I'd beg to differ.. they have the milk but will only give it to certain people. But looks like that's how this store works. I think I'm going to start shopping else where.

 

[mickeyplanner08]

Well see there is where I'd beg to differ.. they have the milk but will only give it to certain people. But looks like that's how this store works. I think I'm going to start shopping else where.

You can try to shop elsewhere, but you will probably find the same milk at any other pediatrician's office. The VFC rules are federal rules, not just something made up by your doctor's office to make you go !

 

[Abbie]

Well see there is where I'd beg to differ.. they have the milk but will only give it to certain people. But looks like that's how this store works. I think I'm going to start shopping else where.

I understand what you're saying and your frustration but you're getting upset and frustrated at the wrong entity. If you, as a privately insured patient, aren't able to get the flu shot then it is because your doctor did not order enough. I've worked in a family practice office for nearly 10 years now and it's always a guessing game as to how much flu vaccine to order. Some years we've had plenty and given to any and all who asked, other years we've had to be more discerning and follow CDC guidelines a little closer as to which high-risk groups would get it first. Then if there was extra, it was first come, first served. The VFC supply never even enters into the equation, federal law allows for that supply to be given to un- and underinsured patients only.

 

[DizBelle]

What irks me is that this vaccine has to be "saved" for someone who may never show up to get it.

It just doesn't seem right.