In an effort to keep TRICARE beneficiaries in the South Region healthy this flu season, Humana Military
Healthcare Services, Inc. (Humana Military) has made it even easier for your patients to get vaccinated.
Beneficiaries can now obtain their flu shots at a nearby MinuteClinic® health center.
 
MinuteClinic health centers are conveniently located inside select neighborhood CVS/pharmacy® stores. While TRICARE beneficiaries may use MinuteClinic health centers as an additional local source for clinical preventive services (e.g., immunizations and vaccines), normal referral and authorization rules apply for all other services. Some of the advantages that TRICARE beneficiaries enjoy by receiving their flu shots at a MinuteClinic health center include:

• Shots are available seven days per week.
• No appointment is necessary.
• No primary care manager referral is required.
• All locations are staffed by board-certified practitioners.
• Centers are open during evening and weekend hours.
• Flu shot visits only take about five minutes.
• Children as young as 18 months through seniors can be vaccinated.

While certain groups of people, such as small children, pregnant women and people older than 50 years, are more susceptible to flu complications, anyone can get the flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 15 million to 60 million people, on average, contract the flu each year in the United States.
 
To prevent the flu and its complications, the CDC recommends that the following people should be vaccinated each year:

• Children ages 6 months through 18 years
• Adults age 50 years and older
• Persons with underlying chronic medical conditions
• Women who are pregnant during flu season
• Health care workers involved in direct patient care
• Child care and elder care workers
• Anyone at high risk for severe complications from the flu

If you wish to direct your patients to a MinuteClinic in their area, have them visit www.humana-military.com and click on “Find a Provider,” then select “Limited Service Medical Clinics.” They can also call Humana Military at 1-800-444-5445.