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HPV Vaccination Covered Benefit
 Humana now offers the vaccine for human
papillomavirus (HPV) as a covered benefit for female members ages
9 to 26, following the recommendation of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices (ACIP).
What is HPV?
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United
States. The disease occurs in an estimated 50 percent of sexually
active women at some time in their lives. The CDC estimates that
6.2 million new cases of HPV occur each year.
In the worst cases, HPV infections
can progress to cervical or vaginal cancers. Standard treatments
for HPV focus on screening, monitoring and/or the removal of warts,
lesions or cancerous tissue.
About the vaccine
The approved vaccine – Gardasil®, produced by Merck –
prevents infection of four strains of HPV. The Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) has approved the vaccine for use in females ages 9 to 26
to prevent disease caused by certain HPV strains.
"Humana
has carefully reviewed the latest medical literature and national
recommendations," said Lou Hochheiser, M.D., Humana's
medical director for clinical policy development and former chair
of the department of family medicine at Brown Medical School. "We
feel strongly that our members from age 9 to 26 ought to have this
vaccine available to them."
The CDC specifically recommends the
vaccine for girls and women ages 11 to 26. At the physician's
discretion, girls can receive the vaccination as young as age 9.
Ideally, the vaccine should be administered before exposure to
HPV through sexual contact. Following are a few facts about the
vaccine:
- The HPV strains targeted by the vaccine are responsible for
70 percent of cervical cancers and 90 percent of genital warts.
- The technology used to manufacturer the vaccine renders it
incapable of causing an HPV infection.
- The vaccine is administered in a series
of three injections over a six-month period at a cost of $120
per dose.
- HPV has no cure. Females who receive HPV vaccine should continue
to follow medical screening recommendations.
Humana coverage specifics:
- For
fully-insured commercial health plan members, Gardasil
is a medical benefit. This is not a prescription drug benefit.
- For self-funded
commercial plan members, Gardasil will be covered as
a medical benefit up to the plan's age limit for child immunizations,
unless otherwise directed by the employer. Members should confirm
coverage with their employers.
- For Humana's Medicare members, the
Part D Prescription Drug benefit will cover Gardasil.
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