State officials urge insurers to prepare for H1N1 (swine flu)

Washington's top insurance and health officials are urging health insurers to ensure that as many Washingtonians as possible have access to H1N1 vaccine and treatment.

"So far, this flu has proven less virulent than initially feared," said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. "But we want insurers to be fully prepared for what looks to be a challenging flu season. Working together, we can minimize the impact of both swine flu and regular seasonal flu."

"We're tracking H1N1 closely in our state so we can learn from every case and be even more prepared this fall," said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky.

"Once the new H1N1 vaccine arrives in October, kids and pregnant women will be among the first to receive it. By working with insurance companies now we can make sure nothing slows us down as we work to get these high risk groups vaccinated and protected."

H1N1 influenza A — better known as swine flu — first hit our state last spring.

Since then there have been around 160 hospitalizations and 14 deaths from the virus.

The Department of Health is also encouraging everyone to get vaccinated against seasonal flu as soon as possible. The seasonal flu vaccine is available now. In October, the federal government is expected to begin shipping the new H1N1 vaccine. People will need to receive both to be fully protected.

Kreidler, who oversees the insurance industry in Washington, and Selecky, the state's top health official, are asking insurers to take several steps, including:

• To review their policies and programs to optimize coverage of both the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine. By quickly paying health-care providers or reimbursing claims is critical to encourage vaccinations.

• To inform people covered by their plans where and how they can get covered vaccinations.

• To review and augment drug coverage to ensure access to the flu-fighting drugs Tamiflu and Relenza.

Insurers are also being asked to consider educating their members and health care providers about flufundamentals and ways to reduce the risk of infection.

Information about preventing seasonal flu and H1N1 is available on the Washington Department of Health Web site at www. doh.wa.gov.