[MCOH-EH] [External] Charging for MMR titers

[Southard Kathleen A]

Yes, most everyone seems to understand billing and budget issues. Thanks for sharing the anecdote with the reminder about the limitations of post vaccination vs post infection immune testing. Your comments are always so helpful.

Kathy Southard, RN, COHN-S
UWMedical Foundation
Employee Health/Infection Control
7974 UW Health Court
Middleton, Wi 53562
Direct line: (608) 826-6728
EHIC main phone: (608) 826-6730
EHIC fax: (608) 824-2243

From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces at mylist.net] On Behalf Of Swift, Melanie
Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2014 3:46 PM
To: MCOH/EH
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] [External] Charging for MMR titers

We are delighted to accept their lab work if they have that. If they want, we'll even draw and send it for them and not charge for phlebotomy. However they will get a bill from the lab.
We explain that the CDC does not recommend testing before vaccination, and that we are budgeted to follow CDC guidelines. Those who don't understand EBM do seem to understand budget constraints.
If that fails I explain that they might never get a positive titer, and we can't just keep revaccinating trying to get a titer to turn positive. I can always tell them my story of the resident who had negative measles titers despite four documented doses of MMR vaccine, yet still spent 30 minutes holding a baby with active measles and did not get infected!
Melanie Swift, MD
Director, Vanderbilt Occupational Health Clinic
http://occupationalhealth.vanderbilt.edu

From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces+melanie.swift=vanderbilt.edu at mylist.net] On Behalf Of Southard Kathleen A
Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2014 2:39 PM
To: 'MCOH/EH'
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] [External] Charging for MMR titers

Dr. Swift,
That makes so much more sense to me than titer first. Just curious, do you get much pushback from those who insist they've been vaccinated and would prefer to have immune titers done?

Kathy Southard, RN, COHN-S
UWMedical Foundation
Employee Health/Infection Control
7974 UW Health Court
Middleton, Wi 53562
Direct line: (608) 826-6728
EHIC main phone: (608) 826-6730
EHIC fax: (608) 824-2243

From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces at mylist.net] On Behalf Of Swift, Melanie
Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2014 1:39 PM
To: MCOH/EH
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] [External] Charging for MMR titers

If an employee is unable to provide proof of vaccination for MMR, we vaccinate them.
CDC does not recommend screening adults for immunity or doing postvaccination titers. If an employee wants to pay for titers out of pocket and bring us proof of immunity that way, we'll accept it in lieu of vaccination (assuming all 3 are positive.) However unless they have a medical contraindication to MMR, what we provide is vaccine.

Melanie Swift, MD
Director, Vanderbilt Occupational Health Clinic
http://occupationalhealth.vanderbilt.edu

From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces+melanie.swift=vanderbilt.edu at mylist.net] On Behalf Of Kevin Matson
Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2014 1:30 PM
To: mcoh-eh at mylist.net<mailto:mcoh-eh at mylist.net>
Subject: [External] [MCOH-EH] Charging for MMR titers

We are seeing an increase in the costs for performing MMR titers. If a new hire employee is unable to provide proof of vaccination for MMR, do you charge for performing titers? If the employee needs the vaccine, do you charge for it?

Thanks,


Kevin Matson, Director
Occupational Health & Safety
Interim Director Employee Relations & Retention
Northeast Georgia Health System, Inc.
(770) 219-3957  (Office)
(678) 851-5317 (Cell)
kevin.matson at nghs.com<mailto:kevin.matson at nghs.com>

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