Vaccines for flu, shingles and other preventable illnesses should be part of adults’ healthy practices

Health Net Health Plan of Oregon reminds adults that vaccinations are important preventive health measures not only for children, but also for themselves.

“Many people mistakenly believe that vaccinations are just for children,” said Camille Cadran, Health Net wellness educator. “While there is no debating the importance of childhood vaccinations, adults should consult their doctors about vaccines to protect them from the flu, pneumonia, tetanus and diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and several other illnesses.”

With the approach of flu season, Health Net urges adults ages 50 and above to follow the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and get a flu vaccine every year. Younger adults should consult their doctors.

New this year is the ACIP recommendation that children 5 to 18 years old get a flu vaccine.

Vaccinations are important, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, because they prevent infectious disease and protect those who come into contact with unvaccinated individuals. Plus, vaccine-preventable diseases can result in doctor visits, hospitalizations – even premature death.

“Another good health investment for adults ages 60 and above is the zoster vaccine, which can protect against shingles,” said Cadran. “People should talk to their doctors about whether it’s right for them and can help them avoid what can be serious illness.”

Health Net commercial and Medicare Advantage members seeking information on vaccines – or on any health topic – may contact Health Net’s Decision Power program, which provides 24/7 access to health coaches who can provide information to help them have in-depth conversations with their physicians and make better-informed decisions about their health. Health Net members may call Decision Power at 1-800-893-5597.

For individuals covered by Medicare plans, including Medicare Advantage plans offered by private health insurers, vaccines – including the flu vaccine – have $0 co-payments. To determine your plan’s co-payments, check your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) or call your health plan.

Free Vaccines

To make it easy for Health Net members to get their flu vaccines, Health Net is providing free vaccines to Medicare Advantage members in several Oregon counties and in Clark County, Wash. Health Net will cover the cost of flu shots for Health Net Medicare Advantage members at their doctor’s office or at participating Costco, Safeway and Albertsons/Sav-On stores. Health Net also will reimburse Health Net Medicare Advantage members when they get a flu shot at alternate locations, such as senior centers and health clinics.

About Health Net

Health Net, Inc. is among the nation’s largest publicly traded managed health care companies. Its mission is to help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. The company’s health plans and government contracts subsidiaries provide health benefits to approximately 6.7 million individuals across the country through group, individual, Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE and Veterans Affairs programs. Health Net’s behavioral health subsidiary, MHN, provides mental health benefits to approximately 7.0 million individuals in all 50 states. The company’s subsidiaries also offer managed health care products related to prescription drugs, and offer managed health care product coordination for multi-region employers and administrative services for medical groups and self-funded benefits programs.

For more information on Health Net, Inc., please visit the company’s Web site at www.healthnet.com.

Cautionary Statements

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical information provided herein, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements and as such are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on management’s analysis, judgment, belief and expectation only as of the date hereof, and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Without limiting the foregoing, statements including the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “estimate,” “intend” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially due to, among other things, rising health care costs, negative prior period claims reserve developments, additional investment portfolio impairment charges, changes in the economy, volatility in the financial markets, trends in medical care ratios, unexpected utilization patterns or unexpectedly severe or widespread illnesses, membership declines, rate cuts affecting our Medicare or Medicaid business, issues relating to provider contracts, litigation costs, regulatory issues, operational issues, health care reform and general business and market conditions. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risks discussed in the “Risk Factors” section, included within the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any of its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this release.

Health Net Health Plan of Oregon
Maggie Huffman, 503-213-5279
maggie.huffman@healthnet.com