Universal Vaccine Program for Childhood Immunizations

January 5, 2010
 
Memo No.  002 (10)
 
To: IMA Physician Members 
 
From: Suzan Belzer, IMA Reimbursement Director
 
Subject: Universal Vaccine Program for Childhood Immunizations
 
The universal vaccine program that allows physicians to obtain vaccines for pediatric patients regardless of insurance status is set to sunset on January 31, 2010. The Legislative Health Care Task Force Immunization Subcommittee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 to discuss the issue.
 
The IMA will send a memo on Thursday, January 14, 2010 to all Idaho physicians providing information on the outcome of this meeting, such as proposed legislation to extend the program, or the availability of other funding sources to continue the program after January 31, 2010. In the event that the program does sunset – even temporarily - physicians should be prepared to purchase vaccines for the non-VFC patient population, for a time period as yet to be specified.
 
Please alert your staff to watch for further information from the IMA late next week. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (208) 344-7888 or via email sbelzer@idmed.org.