Vaccines and Tobacco Cessation

U-M prescription drug plan members may receive notification about participating in a voluntary prescription drug program.

Vaccines Covered in Pharmacies and Doctor’s Offices

U-M’s benefits plans cover approved vaccinations under your pharmacy through the U-M Prescription Drug Plan and through your U-M health plan.

Approved vaccines require no co-pay on your part. Coverage is a prevention benefit in all U-M health plans.

When receiving your shot at a pharmacy, there is no cost when you provide either your medical ID card or your drug plan ID card. To avoid confusion, don’t use both cards at the same time.

The following pharmacy-administered vaccines are covered:

Some of these immunizations require more than one dose to be most effective. Coverage also can be limited because of age and time of vaccination. View these guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before getting an immunization.

COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility and Availability

Please note: COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and availability information changes frequently. Revisit this page and the listed websites regularly for the latest information.

To protect personal information, employees are discouraged from posting photos of their vaccination cards on social media or other mediums.

COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility

Vaccine supply is limited and eligibility does not mean a vaccination appointment is immediately available. See COVID-19 Vaccination Appointments for information on where you can register for an appointment. For more information on COVID-19 vaccines and resources, please visit Michigan Medicine’s COVID-19 Vaccine Hub and U-M Health Response.

  • All Michigan residents aged 5 years and older are eligible for a primary COVID-19 vaccination series. This recommendation is currently limited to a two-dose series of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Michigan residents aged 18 years and older are also eligible for a two-dose series of the Moderna vaccine or a single dose of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine.
  • All Michigan residents aged 18 and older are eligible for a booster dose, at least six months after completion of a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna primary series, or at least two months after a single dose of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine. Michigan residents aged 16 and older who had their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine six months ago or longer are eligible for a Pfizer-BioNTech booster dose.
  • All veterans are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine from the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, by appointment as supply allows. The SAVE LIVES Act signed into law March 24 authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish a COVID-19 vaccine to all veterans, spouses and caregivers regardless of their VA health care enrollment status. Sign up to to indicate you would like to receive the vaccine at the VA Ann Arbor Medical Center. People who cannot use the internet can call the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System at 734-222-7100.

To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, visit U-M Health Response Vaccine Information.

COVID-19 Vaccination Appointments

Paid Release Time for Vaccinations

As of March 21, 2021, you may be eligible for paid release time to receive your COVID-19 vaccination. For details, visit COVID-19 Information for Employees.

Protect Your Vaccine Record Card

You will be given a COVID-19 vaccine record card after you receive your first dose. These cards indicate which vaccine you received and the date when you received it. Bring your card with you to all vaccination appointments.

To protect your personal information, the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission have issued public warnings not to post a photo of your vaccination card on social media.

Health System Vaccination Appointments

You need to be a patient of a specific health system to be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination appointment with that health system. Vaccines are limited and an appointment is required and by invitation only. Your health care system care team will contact you when you are eligible and vaccination appointments are available. For more information, visit your health system's website.

Other Tools and Resources

You may increase your chances of receiving an appointment by registering with your local health department, retail pharmacies, and alternate vaccination sites. You will be contacted when appointments are available. Here are some tools and resources to help you.

Pharmacies

You may need to check back frequently to find openings and book your vaccination appointment.

County Health Departments (CHD)

MHealthy Tobacco Consultation Service and Affordable Care Act - $0 Copay for Tobacco Cessation

Prescription-only and generic over-the-counter (OTC) smoking cessation medications are covered at zero ($0) copay for eligible members of the U-M prescription drug plan. This coverage complies with the preventive care services provisions required under the Affordable Care Act. To receive the zero ($0) copay benefit, members need either a doctor's prescription or an MHealthy Tobacco Consultation Service (TCS) authorization letter prescribing the smoking cessation medication. Products include generic nicotine patches, generic nicotine gums, and generic nicotine lozenges. Brand name OTC nicotine replacement products will not be covered. Patients interested in prescription quit aids such as Chantix will need a prescription from their physician.  Further detail is available in the letter from Magellan Rx.

Please note that participation with TCS is not required to obtain smoking cessation medications at $0 copay under the U-M drug plan. However, behavioral support can provide important help to quit tobacco. For behavioral support, employees (and their spouses or OQAs) can choose from a variety of program options including individual, internet-based or telephonic tobacco treatment sessions through TCS. 

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