55 ELM STREET HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106-1775 Telephone: (860) 702-3480 Facsimile:(860) 702-3556
HEALTH CARE COST CONTAINMENT COMMITTEE
	STATE OF CONNECTICUT OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER HEALTHCARE POLICY & BENEFIT SERVICES DIVISION

Healthcare Policy & Benefit Services Division
September 9, 2011
Division Memorandum 2011-03

I. INTRODUCTION

The Office of the State Comptroller, Healthcare Policy & Benefit Services Division issued a Request for Proposal in July 2011 in order to seek a vendor to administer statewide flu vaccination clinics.  This process has replaced the need for agencies to use independent organizations to schedule flu vaccination clinics on their own.  Since the State of Connecticut employee and retiree health plans are self-insured, this arrangement will result in a significant cost savings to the plan when compared to previous vaccination efforts.

II.  AWARD

The Office of the State Comptroller has completed the election process for the on-site flu vaccination clinic Request for Proposal for the 2011-2013 flu seasons.

The contract for the flu vaccination clinics has been awarded to both the Danbury VNA and our current pharmacy benefit manager Caremark. 

III.  COORDINATING FLU VACCINATION CLINICS

When coordinating flu vaccination clinics, agencies will have the option to choose from either vendor based upon the availability for both the agency and vendor.  They may contact their selected vendor at:

Once an on-site clinic has been scheduled, either Danbury VNA or Caremark will have on-line scheduling available for employees to schedule their individual vaccination appointments.

IV.  ADDITIONAL FLU VACCINATION OPTIONS

In addition to the on-site flu vaccination clinic Caremark is providing several additional ways employees, dependents, and retirees may receive their flu vaccination.

• Option 1:  Employees, dependents, and retirees may receive a flu vaccination at their local CVS pharmacy by simply presenting their current Caremark Prescription Drug card.  Employees can go online to www.cvs.com/flu/  or call into their local CVS pharmacy to schedule an appointment.
   
• Option 2:  Employees, dependents, and retirees may receive a flu vaccination at a participating flu shot network pharmacy simply providing their Caremark ID card.  A complete list of participating pharmacies will be available on the Caremark and the Comptroller (osc.ct.gov) website.
   
• Option 3:  Employees, dependents, and retirees may receive a flu vaccination at their local CVS MinuteClinic through the CVS Flu Voucher Program.  Vouchers will be distributed at all on-site flu clinics throughout the state and the Office of the State Comptroller web site (osc.ct.gov) ,

V.  CONCLUSION

It should be noted, employees, their dependents, and retirees now have four ways to receive flu shots:

• On-site clinics,
• CVS or other local pharmacies,
• CVS minute clinics, and
• From their doctor or other health professional.

In and out-of-network claims will be paid according to the schedule of benefits of the health plan the employee or retiree is enrolled in.  All vaccinations provided by the contracted vendors noted above will be considered in network regardless of the medical plan the employee is enrolled in.

Should you have any questions regarding the flu vaccination program, contact Helen Sullivan in the Healthcare Analysis Unit at (860) 702-3346 or Helen.sullivan@po.state.ct.us.

Very truly yours,

Thomas C. Woodruff, Ph.D.
Division Director

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