Does Medicare pay for seniors to get the seasonal flu vaccine?

Medicare will pay for the flu shot once every flu season. In some cases, this may mean twice in one year. For example, if you received a flu shot in January for one flu season, Medicare will cover another flu vaccine the following October for another flu season.

You pay nothing for the flu shot if the doctor or other health care provider accepts the Medicare-approved amount as full payment for giving the shot.

Last Reviewed: 01/21/2011