Self-insured clients absorb the costs so that employees do not have to pay
The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), a mutual life insurer and a provider of employee benefits for small-and-mid-sized companies, has announced to cover the cost associated with the administration of the H1N1 vaccine for employees and their eligible dependents enrolled in a fully-insured Guardian medical plan.
The company stated that it is also providing self-insured medical plan-holders the opportunity to provide 100% coverage for the Swine Flu vaccine. Self-insured clients absorb the costs so that employees do not have to pay out-of-pocket expenses related to vaccination. In addition, it provides the administrative support to help make this process for self-insured employers.
Tim Bireley, VP of Guardian Group Medical, said: Guardian decided to cover the costs associated with administering the vaccine because of our ongoing commitment to support and provide quality service to the small and mid-size business owners who rely on our health plans and employee benefits to protect their employees. In today’s economy, we don’t want fees to come between families getting the care they need to stem the spread of the Swine Flu.
Reportedly, the US Department of Health and Human Services has announced that it is mobilising a response to address the challenges posed by the H1N1 virus. A key component to this response is the development, testing and distribution of a vaccine against H1N1, which will be separate from the seasonal influenza vaccine. The federal government will cover the cost of the vaccine itself, but physicians will bill for the costs associated with administering the vaccine.