topic Re: WOW.denied flu shot! in Wellness

WOW.denied flu shot!

MalteseMomma — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 18:49:02 GMT

This morning I went to our "new" Walgreens,formally Rite Aid for my flu shot like I have been doing every yr since flu shots began

After waiting a hour while the guy put info into his computer ,he guy says he couldn't find my records so he denied me the flu shot....lol

If he couldn't find me,why did he ask if I would like him to fax my info to my dr???

I have been getting flu shots there for years! With no problems. I'm 82 a senior citizen. I live very near the store so I go there every yr.

But even if I was new there,aren't flu shots given to everyone.He had my Medicare card /number.............????

Did he think i was a flu shot junkie??? dying for a fix!

In anycase,I angrly tore up all the papers I filled out ,(threw them on the floor) left and went to my Dr for my shot.

Cost me $30 cab fare !!!

Needless to say I reported the store to corperate headquaters.They are looking into it!

Re: WOW.denied flu shot!

2blonde — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 18:48:25 GMT

@MalteseMomma That's bizarre. I still work full-time at 70, and happily they will give them right here where I work, so I have no experience with the drug stores. I figured, though, that I could get it just like you do with my insurance card (or Medicare card if I was retired and on Medicare). I know some shots require a doctor's order, but not a flu shot!

Re: WOW.denied flu shot!

SilleeMee — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 18:48:38 GMT

A couple of years ago I was denied the shot also at Walgreens. They told me that my new insurance was not going to pay for it and that I would have to shell out the money for it if I wanted to get the shot. So I left and went to Walmart and they gave me the shot for free after I showed them my insurance card.

On TV there's an ad for Walgreens stating that flu shots are free for most everyone who has insurance. I think they got it wrong for you @MalteseMomma

Re: WOW.denied flu shot!

Calgal2too — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 18:50:47 GMT

If he couldn't find you in the system, why didn't he just ENTER you in the system? Sounds like a teachable moment.

For what it's worth, I heard on the news the other day, that it's better to wait until November-ish for a flu shot anyway, as it's only fully effective for 90-120 days.

Re: WOW.denied flu shot!

MalteseMomma — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 18:52:19 GMT

@SilleeMee Do some drug stores charge for the shot ? I didn't know that...lol.........in any case,even if they do charge, he also had all my insurance info too.....lol

Re: WOW.denied flu shot!

Daysdee — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 18:53:35 GMT

I got mine Monday at Walgreen's with no issues. I will say the staff there isn't the greatest and I try not to go into the store unless I have to. Have my prescriptions mailed to my home. The pharmacist that gave me the shot was terrific; didn't even feel it. For my first in the series shingles shot, I had an intern do it with supervision of a pharmacist. Worst shot I have ever had.

Re: WOW.denied flu shot!

SilleeMee — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 18:53:55 GMT

@MalteseMomma wrote:
@SilleeMee Do some drug stores charge for the shot ? I didn't know that...lol.........in any case,even if they do charge, he also had all my insurance info too.....lol

If you don't have insurance then you have to pay for the flu shot. @MalteseMomma

Re: WOW.denied flu shot!

MalteseMomma — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 18:57:24 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
@MalteseMomma wrote:
@SilleeMee Do some drug stores charge for the shot ? I didn't know that...lol.........in any case,even if they do charge, he also had all my insurance info too.....lol

If you don't have insurance then you have to pay for the flu shot. @MalteseMomma

He didn't even ask me if I wanted to pay...............lol

Besides Medicare,I have the best private ins money can buy and I'm going broke paying for it.............lol

Re: WOW.denied flu shot!

SilleeMee — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 18:58:11 GMT

@MalteseMomma wrote:
@SilleeMee wrote:
@MalteseMomma wrote:
@SilleeMee Do some drug stores charge for the shot ? I didn't know that...lol.........in any case,even if they do charge, he also had all my insurance info too.....lol

If you don't have insurance then you have to pay for the flu shot. @MalteseMomma
He didn't even ask me if I wanted to pay...............lol

That's a problem. That guy needs to know better. @MalteseMomma

Re: WOW.denied flu shot!

sidsmom — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 19:01:22 GMT

@MalteseMomma wrote:
In anycase,I angrly tore up all the papers I filled out ,(threw them on the floor) left and went to my Dr for my shot.

Cost me $30 cab fare !!!

Needless to say I reported the store to corperate headquaters.They are looking into it!

Well this changes the story.

No rational person would make a scene like this.

Me thinks....there’s more to the story about being denied

than what is being told.

Re: WOW.denied flu shot!

Calgal2too — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 19:03:07 GMT

Just remembered that Costco issues flu shots I think I paid $20 a couple of years ago when I was between jobs (and between health coverage). You don't even have to be a member, just tell them at the door that you're going to the pharmacy, and you're in!!!

Re: WOW.denied flu shot!

Daysdee — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 19:07:28 GMT

Isn't the flu shot covered by Medicare? I got mine at Walgreens -- no charge. For the newer shingles shot I paid $20. for the first one and I'm assuming the second shot will be the same. Worth it.

Re: WOW.denied flu shot!

Anonymous032819 — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 19:11:03 GMT

@MalteseMomma wrote:
This morning I went to our "new" Walgreens,formally Rite Aid for my flu shot like I have been doing every yr since flu shots began

After waiting a hour while the guy put info into his computer ,he guy says he couldn't find my records so he denied me the flu shot....lol

If he couldn't find me,why did he ask if I would like him to fax my info to my dr???

I have been getting flu shots there for years! With no problems. I'm 82 a senior citizen. I live very near the store so I go there every yr.

But even if I was new there,aren't flu shots given to everyone.He had my Medicare card /number.............????

Did he think i was a flu shot junkie??? dying for a fix!

In anycase,I angrly tore up all the papers I filled out ,(threw them on the floor) left and went to my Dr for my shot.

Cost me $30 cab fare !!!

Needless to say I reported the store to corperate headquaters.They are looking into it!

So you threw a tantrum?

Wow!

Re: WOW.denied flu shot!

luvmybeetle — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 19:13:46 GMT

@Calgal2too wrote:
If he couldn't find you in the system, why didn't he just ENTER you in the system? Sounds like a teachable moment.

For what it's worth, I heard on the news the other day, that it's better to wait until November-ish for a flu shot anyway, as it's only fully effective for 90-120 days.

That's what my doctor said yesterday. I asked if I could get my flu shot and she said to wait another month. It's too early now.

Re: WOW.denied flu shot!

2blonde — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 19:22:40 GMT

@luvmybeetle Yes, I've wondered why so many people get them in September, since the height of the flu season isn't until January-February. I'd rather be protected then.

Re: WOW.denied flu shot!

Vivian — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 19:25:38 GMT

That’s crazy. Over the past few years, I’ve gotten my flu shots at Rite Aid, Walgreens, and a local northeast chain, Kinney Drug. I was never denied and never charged since I am on Medicare. I suspect the original poster was dealing with an idiot.

Re: WOW.denied flu shot!

chrystaltree — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 19:51:28 GMT

That's bizarre. Even if he couldn't find your record, so what? He should have had you complete the paper work and proceed as if it was your first time. It sounds like he was new and couldn't use the computer system and didnt understand the process. Yes, you should complain to the corporate office and also to the CVS store manager.

Re: WOW.denied flu shot!

MalteseMomma — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 19:58:49 GMT

@Vivian wrote:
That’s crazy. Over the past few years, I’ve gotten my flu shots at Rite Aid, Walgreens, and a local northeast chain, Kinney Drug. I was never denied and never charged since I am on Medicare. I suspect the original poster was dealing with an idiot.

@Vivian

ohhh thank you so much ,Vivian.......some seem to think I am hiding something.........lol

i have gotten my flu shot there for many years, never hadaproblem....lol..What could I be hiding............lol.......i am an 82 yr old senior citizen,that just went for a yearly flu shot... ...lol I didn't have to post my story here...lol

Re: WOW.denied flu shot!

Icegoddess — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 20:12:55 GMT

I don't know about Medicare since I'm not there yet. Is it accepted at all drug store chains? I know I used to be a Rite Aid customer, but when Walgreens bought them MY insurance would no longer allow me to go there (Rite Aid), but I COULD go to a Walgreens or CVS. I think that now that they have completed their transformation I can now go to Walgreens, but I haven't bothered to change my scripts over from Publix.

Speaking of Publix, they have a promo going on now for vaccinations. Get a vaccinaton and they give you a $10 Publix gift card. I got one when I got my 2nd shingles vaccination.

I would expect any pharmacy that accepts your form of insurance would give you the shot whether you are in their system or not. But, I haven't gotten a flu shot since I was old enough to make my own decisions about it.

Re: WOW.denied flu shot!

kitcat51 — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 20:15:05 GMT

He made a mistake & I understand your frustration but what others are pointing out (including me) is you didn't handle it well. There's no need to do what you did in the store but a big thumbs up for calling corporate, that was the right thing to do so it doesn't happen to anyone else.