Talking Points to engage non-PH partners for receipt and distribution of H1N1 vaccine

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Engaging Providers
  • Providers from a wide variety of sectors should be considered and engaged. (Pediatricians, Family Practices, OB/Gyn Facilities, Hospitals, Schools, Child Care Facilities, Adult and Long-Term Care Facilities, Closed POD sites, Indigent Care Facilities, Youth and Adult Detention Facilities, Vaccine Service Providers, etc.)
  • Special attention and planning is needed to ensure that plans target children.
  • A ‘parent’ site can sign a Provider Agreement and then work with ‘child’ sites – for example, a hospital (parent) may sign an agreement, receive vaccine, and then distribute vaccine to a number of clinic sites (child). The ‘parent’ site would be responsible for all vaccine and reporting aspects.
  • The Immunization Program will send a Provider Agreement in response to the Registration Form. Once the signed agreement is received, an Immunization Program Consultant (IPC) will schedule an in-person site visit. The purpose of this visit is to ensure adequate storage and handling equipment and conduct GRITS training, if necessary.
  • Once the IPC notifies the Immunization Program that the visit is complete, the provider will be ready to receive vaccine.
What prospective providers need to know
  • The Registration Form must be turned in to districts, who will then submit to the state. Registration Forms are due to the state by 9/15/2009.
  • Minimum order per shipment is 100 doses. Providers serving less than 50 clients should work with local health departments to provide services to their population(s).
  • Vaccine shipments will include supplies such as syringes, alcohol swabs, etc. (gloves still under discussion).
  • Providers will be responsible to print and copy H1N1 Vaccine Information Statements (VIS), which will be available online.
  • Providers are required to report aggregate doses administered data by COB each Monday. Each dose administered must also be entered into GRITS via direct entry or an interface. Training and support will be available from the GRITS Program.
Reimbursement
  • Major insurance companies are expected to reimburse for vaccine administration.
  • As of now, Medicare will reimburse an administration fee equal to seasonal influenza.
  • Non-PH sites may charge a cash administration fee for the uninsured population.
  • PH sites may not turn away an individual unable to pay an administration fee. Additional funding will be given to PH sites to offset this cost.