Health Net of Arizona Reminds Adults: Vaccines Aren’t Just for Kids

Health Net of Arizona, Inc. reminds adults that vaccinations are important preventive health measures not only for children, but also for themselves.

"Many people mistakenly believe that vaccinations are just for children,” said Dr. Richard Jacobs, Health Net of Arizona’s chief medical officer. "While there is no debating the importance of childhood vaccinations, adults should consult their doctors about vaccines to protect them from the flu, pneumonia, tetanus and diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and several other illnesses.”

With the approach of flu season, Health Net urges adults ages 50 and above to follow the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and get a flu vaccine every year. Younger adults should consult their doctors. New this year is the ACIP recommendation that children 5 to 18 years old get a flu vaccine.

Vaccinations are important, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, because they prevent infectious disease and protect those who come into contact with unvaccinated individuals. Plus, vaccine-preventable diseases can result in doctor visits, hospitalizations – even premature death.

"Another good health investment for adults ages 60 and above is the zoster vaccine, which can protect against shingles,” said Jacobs. "People should talk to their doctors about whether it’s right for them and can help them avoid what can be serious illness.”

Health Net commercial and Medicare Advantage members seeking information on vaccines – or on any health topic – may contact Health Net’s Decision Power program, which provides 24/7 access to health coaches who can provide information to help them have in-depth conversations with their physicians and make better-informed decisions about their health. Health Net members may call Decision Power at 1-800-893-5597.

For individuals covered by Medicare plans, including Medicare Advantage plans offered by private health insurers, vaccines – including the flu vaccine – have $0 copayments. To determine your plan’s copayments, check your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) or call your health plan.

Health Net of Arizona is making it easy for its members to get flu shots. In addition to getting vaccinations from their primary care physicians, members may get date and location information for flu shot clinics from the following:

• Mollen Immunization Clinics (www.mollenimmunizationclinics.com)
• Participating Safeways (http://shop.safeway.com/corporate/safeway/flushots.asp)
• Select Fry’s Food & Drug Store pharmacies
• Maxim Health Systems (www.findaflushot.com)
• Community Information and Referral (www.cir.org). CIR also maintains a 24-hour bilingual flu and pneumonia hotline at 1-800-352-3792 from the 520 and 928 area codes or 1-602-263-8856 from the Phoenix area

About Health Net of Arizona, Inc.

Health Net of Arizona has offices in Tempe and Tucson, employing nearly 250 associates statewide. Health Net of Arizona offers and administers a full spectrum of health care plans and specialty services, including coverage for vision, dental, life insurance*, chiropractic and alternative medicine. Products include: Employer-sponsored Plans (HMO, PPO*, POS Plus* and Indemnity*); Medicare Advantage Plans; Individual and Family Plans (HMO and PPO*); and National Provider network for PPO and POS Plus product. Health Net of Arizona serves approximately 200,000 members. (*Offered by Health Net Life Insurance Company and administered by Health Net of Arizona.)

Health Net of Arizona has been serving Arizonans for 27 years and is proud to be selected as Arizona’s No. 1 HMO for four years in a row – 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 – and the No. 2 PPO, based on the state's largest business opinion poll, Ranking Arizona, which is conducted annually by Arizona Business Magazine.

Cautionary Statements

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical information provided herein, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements and as such are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on management’s analysis, judgment, belief and expectation only as of the date hereof, and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Without limiting the foregoing, statements including the words "believes,” "anticipates,” "plans,” "expects,” "may,” "should,” "could,” "estimate,” "intend” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially due to, among other things, rising health care costs, negative prior period claims reserve developments, additional investment portfolio impairment charges, changes in the economy, volatility in the financial markets, trends in medical care ratios, unexpected utilization patterns or unexpectedly severe or widespread illnesses, membership declines, rate cuts affecting our Medicare or Medicaid business, issues relating to provider contracts, litigation costs, regulatory issues, operational issues, health care reform and general business and market conditions. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risks discussed in the "Risk Factors” section, included within the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any of its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this release.