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Home > Flu > Information for Healthcare Providers

Flu

Influenza Information For Healthcare Providers

Infection Control

Many organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control, the Institute of Medicine, and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee, have issued influenza infection control recommendations. The Department has created guidance on mask and respirator use, and The Lancet has published an article on preventing the spread of H1N1 to healthcare workers.

Vaccine Provider Enrollment

H1N1 Influenza Vaccine

Every facility that will store and administer the H1N1 influenza vaccine to children or adults must register online as an H1N1 influenza vaccine provider. All providers who treat patients with chronic, underlying medical conditions are strongly encouraged to enroll so that patients who are at the highest risk for complications from H1N1 influenza can be vaccinated.

Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

Every facility that will store and administer seasonal influenza vaccine to adults must enroll as a vaccine provider in Rhode Island’s Adult Immunization Program. Providers can enroll online to administer the vaccine to insured adults. A separate annual agreement is required before providers can administer the vaccine to uninsured adults.

Rhode Island’s Childhood Immunization Program provides seasonal influenza vaccine to providers for children 6 months to 18 years old. Providers who wish to use state-supplied vaccines for children must complete an annual agreement and enroll in KIDSNET, Rhode Island’s registry for immunization and other preventive services for children.

H1N1 Influenza

Antiviral Medications

The Centers for Disease Control has issued antiviral medication recommendations for the treatment and prevention of seasonal and H1N1 influenza generally and specifically for pregnant women. Actions that should be taken to reduce delays in treatment initiation include:

  • Inform persons at high risk for influenza complications of the signs and symptoms of influenza and the need for early treatment after the onset of these symptoms.
  • Ensure rapid access to phone consultation and clinical evaluation for these patients and for patients who report severe illness.
  • Consider treatment of patients at high risk for influenza complications based on telephone contact if hospitalization is not indicated and if this will substantially reduce the delay in treatment initiation.

Reimbursement

Vaccine providers should refer to guidance developed by their individual insurers related to billing for H1N1 vaccine administration. This information is available to providers online from UnitedHealthCare, Tufts Health Plan, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island.

All providers administering the H1N1 influenza vaccine should review the Medicare coverage and reimbursement rules for the vaccine and make sure that their billing staffs are aware of this information. Medicare has also released policies and procedures for fee for service related to the H1N1 influenza pandemic. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed H1N1 Vaccine Administration Billing Questions and Answers for vaccine providers.