Flu season is here. That means it’s time to consider getting your annual flu shot and other vaccines. Vaccines help your immune system fight infections faster and more effectively. When you get a vaccine, it sparks your immune response, helping your body fight off and remember the germ so it can attack it if the germ ever invades again.
We know there’s a lot of talk about flu shots, COVID shots and other vaccines right now. Nothing is changing for your Health Fund coverage. We’re closely monitoring the decisions coming out of Washington, DC, as well as with some states making their own policy decisions, and will keep you posted if anything impacts your benefits and coverage from the Fund. Our coverage of flu shots and COVID vaccines is staying the same.
You have three ways to get your flu shots—at the Entertainment Community Fund’s New York location, at your doctor’s office, or at a pharmacy. (See below for more about your options.)
Free Flu Shots at the Entertainment Community Fund
The Entertainment Community Fund is once again partnering with Mount Sinai to offer free flu shots! Your flu vaccine will be easy, free, convenient and safe.
- Dates: September 25 and 26; October 9 and 10
- Time: 10 am — 2 pm ET (all dates)
- Location: The Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts (729 Seventh Avenue, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10019)
Pre-registration and appointment required. No walk-ins. This flu shot is free for the insured and the uninsured.
Visit the Entertainment Community Fund website for more information and to make an appointment.
Flu Shots and Vaccines Covered by Optum Rx
Your prescription drug benefits for both Tiers cover flu shots and other vaccinations 100%, subject to the mandates of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), when you go to a retail pharmacy. You’ll need to show the pharmacist your Optum Rx ID card. We recommend contacting your local pharmacy before you go to make sure the vaccination(s) that you want are available and to check if you need to make an appointment. Just about all major retail pharmacy chains are in the Optum Rx network. You can visit Optum’s website or call them at (800) 797-9791; TTY 711 for more information.
Flu Shots and Vaccines Covered by Cigna
Flu and other vaccination shots are also covered under the Cigna medical plan at no cost—but only when obtained from an in-network provider through the CIGNA medical plan. This also includes retail pharmacies that are in-network with Cigna. Coverage for vaccines obtained from an out-of-network medical provider will be based on the rules for your Tier of coverage.
Some of the major participating in-network retail pharmacies with Cigna include Walgreens, Rite Aid, Duane Reade, Costco, etc. For a complete list, review this flier from Cigna that lists other participating pharmacies that are in-network with Cigna. For a complete list of in-network providers, including locating retail pharmacies, please visit www.mycigna.com.
You shouldn’t need to make an appointment to get a vaccine, but you should call your pharmacy to make sure your vaccine is available at that location — and to see if they suggest making an appointment.
Please remember to use your Cigna Medical Card when getting your vaccines at the retail pharmacy. The pharmacy will need the medical ID and group number listed on your ID card. Your pharmacist may also need to use one of the following BIN and PCN codes in order to make certain that the claim submitted to Cigna gets approved:
Change Healthcare/Emdeon
- BIN: 004766
- PCN: COM62308
Omnisys
- BIN: 004303
- PCN: CIGPPOIMM
NOTE FOR CIGNA COVERAGE ONLY: CVS retail pharmacies that do not have CVS Minute Clinics and Health Hubs are considered out-of-network providers with Cigna. Only vaccines obtained at CVS locations with Minute Clinics and Health Hubs would be processed as an in-network benefit.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact the Benefit Services Department and a representative will assist you during the hours of 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM EST.