COVA Care and COVA HDHP Flu Shot Program FAQs

A1. Participating retail pharmacy chains and independents include a number of national pharmacy and grocery store chains. Even though a pharmacy chain is on the list, every local Virginia pharmacy in that chain may not be participating. Be sure to call your local pharmacy to find out if it is participating in the Commonwealth of Virginia flu shot program and when you may schedule a flu shot. Also see the COVA Care and COVA HDHP participating pharmacy list. Check often for updates since the list may change.

A2. Use anthem.com to find in-network flu shot pharmacies. Log-in to anthem.com. Go to Prescriptions and select Prescriptions Home. Under Tools and Resources, select Find a Pharmacy. Enter your zip code and click search. Then click the blue filter icon and select Flu Shots, then Done."

A3. If you get a flu shot at a non-participating pharmacy, you will have to file a paper claim and may be required to pay the difference between Anthem Pharmacy/ CarelonRx’s allowable charge and the pharmacy’s charge for the flu shot.

A4. Capitol Square Healthcare will provide free regular and high dose flu shots onsite to state health plan members beginning in October. Appointments can be made in advance at https://www.capitolsquarehealthcare.com/ or by calling the clinic at (804)-628-6501, (walk-ins are not accepted). COVA Care, COVA HDHP and COVA HealthAware members will receive a flu shot at no cost. Other plan members, wage employees and those without state health coverage will pay the actual cost of the vaccine.

A5. Flu shots will be covered at participating retail health clinics for COVA Care and COVA HDHP members. To find a retail health clinic go to anthem.com/find-care/ then Retail Health Clinic in the search bar. Drug store retail clinics are covered under the medical benefit, not pharmacy.

A6. COVA Care and COVA HDHP will pay 100 percent for flu shots administered at physicians’ offices. However, your doctor may charge a copayment for the visit which will not be reimbursed.

A7. COVA Care and COVA HDHP members can receive flu shots at local participating pharmacies as soon as the drug stores have the vaccine available and begin giving shots. Flu shots should be available for the duration of the flu season.

A8. Be sure that you and covered family members present a photo ID and your health plan ID card at the pharmacy or clinic counter so that your eligibility and coverage can be confirmed.

A9. Be sure to ask whether the flu shot clinics are being done by the pharmacy or a third party vendor. To be covered at no cost to you through the pharmacy benefit, a flu shot must be administered through the pharmacy and processed by the pharmacy online under the Anthem Pharmacy/CarelonRx benefit. Be sure to check before getting the flu shot to ensure the pharmacy or clinic will not charge you. If the participating pharmacy will not process your flu shot for free, ask the pharmacist to call the Anthem Pharmacy/CarelonRx pharmacist helpline on the back of your ID card.

A10. An appointment may be required by the pharmacy. Health plan members should call the participating flu shot program pharmacy to determine when pharmacy flu shots are available.

A11. These providers are not limited to the state program.

A12. Children under 18 may need a prescription to get a flu shot at a pharmacy. Depending on the pharmacy, the pharmacist can call the doctor for a prescription. Parents should call ahead to find out if the pharmacy will dispense a flu shot to children and to inquire if the pharmacy has an age limit.

A13. The senior high dose flu shot is available for members age 65 and older. It is also recommended for diabetics and others with certain chronic conditions.

A14. In line with federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, the flu shot program WILL cover the FluMist live vaccine during the 2026-2026 flu season.

A15. Visit the CDC website for the latest information regarding flu shot coadministration.