Geisinger Health Plan

• Home
• About Us
  • > Find a Plan
    • > Group Plans
    • > Individual Plans
    • > Medicare Plans
  • > Key Facts
  • > Executive Biographies
  • > Reporting Fraud
  • > Quality Care Information
  • > Geisinger Health System
• Contacts
• News
  • > Health Care Reform
  • > Media Information
• Help
  • > Frequently Asked Questions
  • > Registration & Login
  • > Requesting Information
  • > Reading Secured Messages
• Search

• print page
• A
• A
• A

• Sign In
• Register
• Forgot Password or I.D.

H1N1 Flu FAQ's

• What can I do to reduce my chances of getting H1N1 flu?

There are five main things to do to avoid getting sick.

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. If you are not near soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough.
• Use tissues to blow your nose and then throw them away. Wash your hands immediately.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
• Should I avoid eating pork?

H1N1 influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get H1N1 influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe.

• I got the flu shot this year, am I protected?

No. This season's flu vaccine wasn't made with the new H1N1 flu virus in mind so the vaccine does not contain antigens for this strain.

• What are the symptoms of H1N1 flu in humans?

The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal flu and include fever and chills, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with H1N1 flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

• What should I do if I think I am sick?

If you have flu symptoms, stay home. If you've recently been to a high-risk area like Mexico, CDC officials recommend that you see your doctor. If you have flu symptoms but you haven't been in a high-risk area, you can still see a doctor. That's your call.

Keep in mind that your doctor will not be able to determine whether you have H1N1 flu. The doctor may take a culture if you are considered "high-risk," require a hospitalization, and are within 24 to 48 hours from first experiencing symptoms. If a culture is taken, it will be send it to a state health department lab for testing to see if it's H1N1 flu.

• Is there a vaccine for H1N1?

The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available soon. More specific dates cannot be provided at this time as vaccine availability depends on several factors including manufacturing time and time needed to conduct clinical trials. We do not expect that there will be a shortage of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, but availability and demand can be unpredictable. There is some possibility that initially the vaccine will be available in limited quantities. In this case, high-risk groups will receive the vaccine before others.

• Where can I obtain the vaccine?

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has designated specific sites where the vaccine can be given. Click here for a list of sites.

• Will two doses of H1N1 vaccine be required?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of one dose of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine for persons 10 years of age and older. In addition, the FDA has approved two doses for children 6 months through 9 years of age. Infants younger than 6 months of age are too young to get the 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines.

• Is the H1N1 vaccine covered?

Geisinger Health Plan will cover the cost of administering the H1N1 flu vaccine for Geisinger Gold, Geisinger Health Plan and Geisinger Choice members. Geisinger Health Options self-funded groups may choose to include this benefit in their coverage. The cost of the vaccine itself is covered by the Federal Government.

While members are encouraged to receive their H1N1 flu vaccine from a participating provider, Geisinger Health Plan will also reimburse non-participating providers at in-network rates. Members with billing questions should contact the customer service phone number on the back of your member identification card.

• Are there medications available to treat H1N1 flu in humans? Are they covered drugs?

Two antiviral drugs are recommended by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) for the treatment of H1N1 flu, Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (rimantadine). One course of either Tamiflu or Relenza is covered for each illness for both our commercial and Medicare members with prescription benefits. If you are not sure about your coverage, call the customer service number on the back of your member identification card.


• Who is considered high risk?
• pregnant women
• people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact
• persons 6 months through 24 years of age
• persons 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions
• persons aged 25 to 64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications



• Why aren't people 65 and older recommended to get early doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine?

H1N1 has been affecting the population differently than seasonal flu. In fact, people over 65 are the least likely to be infected with 2009 H1N1 and appear to have some immunity to the H1N1 virus. This could be possibly due to exposure to a similar virus at some point earlier in life. According to the Centers for Disease Control, rates among younger persons were 15 to 20 times higher.


• Will people age 65 years and older be able to get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine this season?

Yes. The U.S. government has purchased 250 million doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, so anyone who wants to get the vaccine will have the opportunity to do so. While people 65 and older are not included in the groups recommended to get the earliest doses of vaccine, they can get the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine as soon as the high risk groups have had the opportunity to be vaccinated.


• Should people age 65 and older get the regular flu vaccine this year?

Due to an increase in demand and the need for the vaccine makers to switch their production to the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine, the community is facing a shortage of seasonal flu vaccine. If you have not already received the seasonal flu vaccine, it may not be available to you this year. Supply distribution varies so check with your doctor.


• What should people age 65 and older do if they feel like they have the flu?

If you develop flu symptoms, seek medical advice quickly to see whether you might need medical evaluation and possible treatment with antiviral medications. People 65 and older are prioritized to get antiviral drugs if they become sick with the flu according to CDC’s antiviral guidance this season.

More information about H1N1 flu is available by logging onto the CDC Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/.

For questions regarding your Geisinger Health Plan coverage, call the customer service phone number on the back of your member identification card.

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• HIPAA
• Careers
• Site Map

Geisinger Health Plan offers commercial health coverage in Pennsylvania for employer groups and individuals, including HMOs and PPOs.

Medicare medical and prescription drug plans for people 65 and older, or eligible for Medicare are available in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.