So, I went to Walgreen's for my "free" flu shot last night....

[blueamy66]

and was told that BCBS of Arizona doesn't cover the shot....only BCBS of NC, Iowa and some other state that I cannot remember.

WTF?

They said that I could still get my "free" flu shot for $29.99.

What a bunch of BS.

[Jamastiene]

1. Mine was $24.99 at RiteAid.

Plus, I got to joke around with the employees. It was slow in the store that day and one of the employees was getting a flu shot too. Hilarity ensued.

I don't have insurance. So, I paid by debit card from my own money. I'm sorry to hear you had a hard time getting your shot even though you have insurance. That sucks.

One of my main rules in life: Any time you see the word "free," grab a magnifying glass and start reading. Nothing is free. If you see that word on anything, get ready to get conned.

[blueamy66]

2. Amen.

I just found it odd that only BCBS in 3 states covered the shot.

[Rhiannon12866]

3. I got a flu shot at my doctor's office and it cost me $80.00.

And this was several years ago. My doctor suggested that I get one while I was there, so I agreed. I have asthma. I had insurance at the time and thought it was covered, but then I got a bill. And then I got really sick. I haven't gotten a flu shot since. :(

[3waygeek]

4. My employer offered them this week...

free for the employees, $23 for dependents.

[Syrinx]

5. I haven't had a flu shot since high school

They used to give them to us for free in school. That's been quite some time. And I haven't gotten the flu yet. Here's hoping my luck holds. But I don't count on it -- what with the broken foot, pinched nerve in my leg, and the scrotum boil all at the same time and all. :)

[babylonsister]

8. Ouch x 3!

Here's a hug: :hug:

[Syrinx]

10. that means something to me

You're my favorite surviving member, :)

What happened to tom_paine?

Thanks for the hug! :hug:

[babylonsister]

12. Surviving member!!

:spray:

There's lots of us out here, but thanks.

I don't know what happened to him, and I too liked him a lot. Maybe he got sick of the b.s.? There was a lot of that going around.

I hope all your maladies heal, Syrinx. :pals:

[babydollhead]

24. Scrotum boils are no joke

but that would make a nice band name. I wish you relief

[JVS]

45. AAAAAAHHHHHH. I had to do a google image search!

Terrible

[onethatcares]

6. I got a swine flu shot back in the old days

I think it was for swine flu but I can't remember anything since that day. It was free and people were lined up to get em.

maybe they put rfids in the solution?

[Ian David]

7. Mine is covered 100% by insurance if I get it from my PCP, but I have to pay $30 at a pharmacy. n/t

[LaurenG]

9. Well that is still much cheaper than a doctors office

and it's not free if your insurance is paying for it. That is false advertising. I think many County Health departments really do give free flu vaccines.

[blueamy66]

23. I would have to pay a $15 co-pay at the doc's office

I guess.....for the shot...

It's just sad that all of these store/pharmaies are advertising insurance covered flu shots....and it's BS.

Only BCBS from 3 states???? I guess it's funny now... :-)

[TBF]

11. WTF - people unreccing this? Guess they don't want the truth

to be spoken about this.

I paid $30 at my rheumatologist's office when I was there getting another injection. They said insurance wouldn't reimburse.

[the redcoat]

16. The "truth" about flue shots

is not that they're costing people the ungodly amount of $30, the truth is that they are fearmongering at its best.

The only people that die from the flu are people with pre-existing conditions, so if that's the case, then by all means go for it. But if you're the average healthy person, well, I'd choose being sick a few days and drinking a bunch of orange juice than getting injected at Walgreens.


I understand that this is a short sighted attitude. I don't care.

[blueamy66]

25. that is what I thought.....

but as I was buying my bottle of vodker in the liquor section :-) the clerk told me that I should get one :-)

[obliviously]

28. You have it pegged.

Common sense trumps hypochondria.

[jbnow]

38. Or maybe some people would rather get a quick shot

that so much decreases their chance of getting the flu. The flu tends to last many days and that is missed work, that makes it difficult to take care of their children and it means feeling horrible.

I remember the last time I had the flu and my husband was outside of bathroom asking if he could do anything to help. I suggested he shoot me. I felt like I meant it!
Now that was 25 years ago. I have not had the flu since. I didn't get flu shots over that time either but I sure wouldn't mock any decision to get one. It probably isn't fear of dying but wanting to avoid days of misery and inconvenience.

[Odin2005]

39. Anti-Vax nonsense

I'd much rather get a shot that have a flu.

[stray cat]

21. The truth that not everyone gets a free vaccine?

[TBF]

34. No the last poster had a good point about

people with chronic illness being the most vulnerable. I would think it would be a precautionary expenditure in that case. I have two chronic illnesses so I paid the $30 (also 2 young children in the household).

Others not in high risk categories may not want it, but I would think the insurance companies would want to pay for it on the higher risk patients to encourage them to take preventative action.

Of course I am also well aware that the for-profit insurance companies would much rather see me die than be treated for anything, but that is an argument for another thread.

[Mokoil]

13. Nothing in life is "free"

Someone has to pay for it somewhere along the line.

[KharmaTrain]

14. And What Would You Call The Millions In Subsidies To Big Pharma?

Yep...someone has to pay...and we, the consumer and tax payer have done that many times over. From government grants to develop the vacine to the cost of manufacture and distribution, we have been paying and paying. While $30 may not seem much to some, it's a strain on seniors and those barely able to get by. Americans have been paying for a health for profit system with our tax dollars...it'd be nice if big Pharma could put profits on hold for once to help out the most vulnerable in our society.

[Mokoil]

27. Big Pharma double dips

When asked about the high price of pharmaceuticals they immediately scream, "RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS".

They never mention that a large portion of that "research and development costs" are government subsidized.

You pay Big Pharma with your taxes, and at the local pharmacy counter.

[area51]

30. +1, I wish more people would mention this.

Welcome to DU. :hi:

[obliviously]

29. Big farma raises big cows

[BlueDemKev]

41. We're paying for it

Like you said, the taxpayers foot the bill for that. Nothing is free. Somebody somewhere has to pay for it.

[uppityperson]

42. Most of the cost of flu shots goes to the place administering it. Vaccine cost is minimal.

Cost of the vaccine is minimal but most places add on $20-30 for their fee to give it to you. Time, supplies, liability stuff.

[Dr.Phool]

32. I elect you to pay for it.

Gimme your money, and thanks for adding something useful to the discussion.

:sarcasm:

[TBF]

35. Well no kidding. I guess my $1,000 + premiums PER MONTH (before deducts and co-pays)

aren't enough to cover those kind of extravagances.

[Turbineguy]

15. You can file the paperwork

and get reimbursed.

[DailyGrind51]

17. Free Preventive Care is part of HCR and insurance companies are obligated to cover it sans co-pay!

My BC/BS of IL covered mine without me paying a dime just 2 weeks ago!

[mucifer]

18. I work for a non profit hospice. They give the shot free to all employees and all

patients. I'm not sure if we are getting the shots for free. Last year the government sent us more shots than we asked for
we gave shots to family members of patients for free.

[Le Taz Hot]

19. Does your County provide low-cost vaccinations?

They're $4.00 here. There's criteria you have to meet (small children in the house, over 50, caregiver to elderly, etc.). They actually don't even ask. We just go in, pay the money, get the shot and we're done.

[stray cat]

20. You have to pay for something at the pharmacy?

[stray cat]

22. You may be doing your civic duty by paying for someone more needy to get one

[blueamy66]

26. What is this post supposed to mean?

I do my civic duties weekly....I help my nieces with their children....donate.....I was just posting that advertising a free flu shot,,,,,with insurance.....is BS.

I didn't mean to piss anyone off...it was just a post....

[Catshrink]

31. Our school district had a flu shot clinic that was covered by our insurance

and $20 for those who weren't covered. They've done this the past 3 years or so. Before that, I'd try to catch the shot people at the grocery store or Costco. Which reminds me... one year I when I did get my shot at Costco, there were two nurses, a male and female, delivering the shots. I ended up with the female nurse and I said something like, "No offense, but why didn't I get him, he's really cute." She said, "Yes he is - he's my husband." Oops.

[nadinbrzezinski]

33. Insurance to a pointnis a scam

I was pleasantly surprised mine was "free" at target. I mean tricare covered it.

But it is a lottery indeed. And it is not Wallgreens, it is the industry.

[tammywammy]

36. Aetna covered mine

They always have. At work they set up 4 days for people to go in and get their free flu shot.

[jillan]

37. I have bcbs too - thanks for the heads up!

Last year I got it at Walmart and I think it was free.

[blueamy66]

46. Well, after reading all of the posts....

IF I do go get the shot....I'll try another place.

Thanks for all of the info peeps....

[BlueDemKev]

40. Mine was $25 at Kroger

Kroger (Grocery Store chain w/pharmacy) is offering them down here for $25.00 (with or without insurance).

[KT2000]

43. went there yesterday

and they said the insurance rejects half the claims.

[redirish28]

44. Something like that happened to me. I got a better plan at my work place

Blue Cross/Blue Shield of New York which does not work with Walgreen's. I had always gone to Walgreen's for a few years when they worked with my wife to fill my insulin. With the crappy insurance I had from my same work place (the cheap plan) It only covered $10.00 of a $240.00 prescription.


So when I got the better insurance I only paid $30 now but I can't go to Walgreen's because insurance company said Walgreen's would not sign an agreement with them and Walgreen's says the Insurance company will not work with them.