Aetna to Offer Flu Shots for Members at More Than 25,000 Locations Nationwide.-- Members At High Risk Urged to Get Vaccinated -- HARTFORD, Conn. -- Aetna (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :AET AET Aetna, Inc. AET After Extra Time AET Actual Evapotranspiration AET Alliance for Environmental Technology AET Alpha-Ethyltryptamine AET Applied Extrusion Technologies, Inc. ) today announced that for the fourth year in a row it has contracted with Maxim Health Systems to administer influenza vaccinations (flu shots) to all members enrolled in its health benefit plans. In addition to receiving the vaccination from their physicians, Aetna members will have the option to get their flu shot at one of Maxim's more than 25,000 sites in retail facilities and corporations across the country. The Maxim flu shot clinics will begin on October 1 and continue through mid-November 2007. "Getting vaccinated is the most important step a member can take to improve their chances of avoiding the flu," said Charles M. Cutler, M.D., Aetna's chief medical director of national accounts. "We want to make it as easy as possible for our members, especially those in the high risk groups for influenza, to take this important preventive step. With work and family schedules as busy as they are today, the sites offer an added convenience for members." 2007 Vaccination Guidelines People in high risk groups are encouraged to get vaccinated. This includes: * People 50 years of age and older; * Children ages 6 months to 59 months; * Pregnant women; * Children and adolescents who are taking aspirin over a long period of time; * Adults and children who have weak immune systems; * Adults and children who have any condition that can impair respiratory function or that can increase the risk for or the handling of respiratory secretions or that can increase the risk for aspiration (for example, cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries Spinal Cord Injury Definition Spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord that causes loss of sensation and motor control. Description Approximately 10,000 new spinal cord injuries (SCIs) occur each year in the United States. , seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular neuromuscular /neu·ro·mus·cu·lar/ (-mus´ku-ler) pertaining to nerves and muscles, or to the relationship between them. neu·ro·mus·cu·lar adj. 1. disorders); * Adults and children with chronic conditions, including asthma, chronic bronchitis chronic bronchitis n. Inflammation of the bronchial mucous membrane, characterized by cough, hypersecretion of mucus, and expectoration of sputum over a long period of time and associated with increased vulnerability to bronchial infection. , diabetes, kidney disease Kidney Disease Definition Kidney disease is a general term for any damage that reduces the functioning of the kidney. Kidney disease is also called renal disease. , heart disease and lung disease lung disease Pulmonary disease Pulmonology Any condition causing or indicating impaired lung function Types of LD Obstructive lung disease–↓ in air flow caused by a narrowing or blockage of airways–eg, asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis; ; * People who live in nursing homes or other chronic care facilities. People in contact with those at high risk should also get a flu shot. For more information about influenza, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), agency of the U.S. Public Health Service since 1973, with headquarters in Atlanta; it was established in 1946 as the Communicable Disease Center. web site at: www.cdc.gov/flu Finding a Maxim Flu Clinic There are two ways Aetna members can find the Maxim flu clinic nearest to them. * Visit Maxim's website at www.findaflushot.com and enter their zip code zip code System of postal-zone codes (zip stands for “zone improvement plan”) introduced in the U.S. in 1963 to improve mail delivery and exploit electronic reading and sorting capabilities. and the distance they want to travel, or * Call Maxim's automated locator system 24 hours a day, 7 days a week toll free at 1-866-466-2976 and enter their area code and the first digits of their telephone number. Members calling the Aetna-dedicated toll-free number for Maxim can obtain information about the flu shots in English and Spanish. Payment Information and Coverage Details Aetna members should bring their Aetna ID card with them when visiting a Maxim flu clinic as Maxim is not collecting fees at its clinics from Aetna members presenting their card. Instead, Maxim will first bill Aetna and then later bill the member for any amount of the negotiated fee not covered not covered Health care adjective Referring to a procedure, test or other health service to which a policy holder or insurance beneficiary is not entitled under the terms of the policy or payment system–eg, Medicare. Cf Covered. by the member's health benefits plan. Most Aetna plans provide full coverage for flu vaccines, but members should consult their plan documents to determine their individual coverage. Members who do not present their Aetna ID cards will be asked to pay at the time the flu shot is given. Maxim does not give the flu shot to children under 9 years of age. Nor does Maxim carry the nasal flu spray. Members who prefer the nasal flu spray to the flu shot should contact their physician. About Aetna Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 34.9 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health Behavioral health was first used in the 1980's to name the combination of the fields mental health and substance abuse. As an example, an organization serving both mental health and substance abuse clients might refer to its practice as behavioral health or , group life, long-term care long-term care (LTC), n the provision of medical, social, and personal care services on a recurring or continuing basis to persons with chronic physical or mental disorders. and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans and government-sponsored plans in both the U.S. and internationally. www.aetna.com |
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