Zostavax

Zostavax is a vaccine that is used for adults 50 years of age and older to prevent shingles.  Zostavax is a powder that is stored frozen and should be mixed immediately after removal from the freezer.  Once the vaccine is mixed it must be injected into the patient within 30 minutes or it is no longer effective and must be thrown away.  If the drug is removed from the freezer for longer than 30 minutes and then injected into a patient, it does not properly protect the patient from getting shingles.

To ensure patients receive active drug to get the best protection from this vaccine, Zostavax may be obtained by your physician and stored frozen in the office prior to administration. HAP Commercial Members who are unable to obtain Zostavax from their physician can have the vaccine administered at select HAP contracted pharmacies. Please contact client services for additional information. Client Services phone number can be found on your HAP Card.

The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services mandates access for Medicare Part D beneficiaries to all Part D vaccines through a pharmacy network. Under the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, the cost of the vaccine administration is also a covered Part D benefit. Part D members may choose to receive a prescription for Zostavax and have the drug administered in the retail pharmacy setting or have Zostavax administered in a physician's office. If Zostavax is administered in the physician's office, the member may incur an administration fee which is refundable up to $20.00 by submitting the physician's receipt and a completed Member Reimbursement Form. All costs associated with the vaccine and administration will apply to the True Out Of Pocket Cost (TROOP) and Total Drug Spend (TDS).