ActiveCare Network Supports Patients with Comprehensive, Convenient Vaccination Network.

Puts Physicians In Control Of their Vaccinations

BANNOCKBURN, Ill. -- Many seniors and their physicians were caught off-guard when, in 2007, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) decided to move many popular vaccines, including the shingles vaccine, Zostavax, from Medicare Part B (medical benefit) coverage to Part D (pharmacy benefit). This change impacted the Medicare beneficiary co-pay and has forced changes in standard physician billing procedures. In general, most physician practice management systems do not accommodate Part D billing, thus most physicians are not able to administer these vaccines in their offices. VaxAmerica, a turnkey solution now provided by ActiveCare Network, simplifies the vaccination process and supports physicians and their patients with a high-quality, convenient national vaccination network. ActiveCare Network (ACN) is the largest centrally managed clinic and physician network and is currently supporting several Medicare Part D programs.

Health care providers are confused about the changes in Medicare Part D and vaccine coverage. Many physicians cannot bill under Medicare D because they lack Medicare D claims adjudication billing systems. This technology gap is causing significant physician office disruption. Without access to a pharmacy billing system, physicians cannot validate benefit coverage, determine patient out-of-pocket responsibilities, or electronically submit claims for reimbursement. This forces patients to pay for their vaccinations in advance and submit a claim to Medicare for reimbursement.

The VaxAmerica solution eliminates the hassle of deciphering the new vaccination policy and maximizes patient convenience. Physicians unable to provide in-office vaccines can fax prescriptions to VaxAmerica. VaxAmerica validates patient coverage, determines the patient's out-of-pocket payment and contacts patients to set up appointments at conveniently located, high-quality sites using the centrally managed, nationally integrated VaxAmerica Network. These locations are open on weekends and evenings, minimizing disruption to the patient's workday. VaxAmerica also provides reports to physicians informing them on whether a patient received his or her vaccination.

VaxAmerica also offers a simple solution for physicians with existing in-office vaccine programs, eliminating the hassle of scheduling and billing. Once doctors fax prescriptions to VaxAmerica, VaxAmerica will contact the patient and set up an appointment to receive vaccines in the office at the doctor's pre-specified time. VaxAmerica will also ship the vaccine to the office at no additional expense.

"Doctors should be worried about taking care of their patients, not having to deal with the administrative hassles of billing and scheduling vaccinations," said Judi Grupp, CEO and president of ActiveCare Network. "VaxAmerica is a turnkey solution that offers doctors an easy way to handle vaccinations and at the same time supports their patients with maximum care and convenience."

About ActiveCare Network LLC 

ActiveCare Network LLC provides high-quality access to the largest national network of centrally managed clinics, resulting in improved control for chronic biologic services, including infusions, vaccines, and injections.