Your immune system declines with age. As a result, you may get sick more often or take longer to recover.
One particularly painful virus that affects older populations is shingles.
You can avoid shingles by getting vaccinated. But these vaccines can be expensive.
So what should you do? Is there a way for Medicare to cover your vaccination costs?
Let's find out.
Shingles
Shingles results from the same virus as chickenpox. Here's how it works:
When the virus enters your body for the first time, it causes chickenpox
The virus then stays in your body — even after your symptoms go away — and reappears as shingles later in life
Shingles | Cleveland Clinic
So, anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk of developing shingles. But adults ages 60+ account for more than half of the cases.
But unlike chickenpox, you can have shingles more than once.
CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends two doses of Shingrix — two or six months apart — for the following groups:
Anyone 50 years or older
Adults over the age of 19 who have weakened immune systems
But what if you've already had shingles or previously received a different shingles vaccine? Do you still need the Shingrix vaccine?
The simple answer: Yes.
The CDC clarifies that you should still get Shingrix even if you've had shingles, received Zostavax (a shingles vaccine no longer available in the U.S.), or received varicella (the chickenpox vaccine).
However, the CDC states that you should NOT get Shingrix if you:
Had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of Shingrix
Currently have shingles
Currently have a severe illness — with or without a fever
Are pregnant
Starting in January 2023 — per the new guidelines of the Inflation Reduction Act Medicare all adult vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
To recap: in 2023, the shingles vaccine will be free for all Medicare beneficiaries with Part D.
However, if you don't have Medicare yet, the exact cost depends on your plan, insurance provider, and pharmacy.
You can get your shingles shot at the following locations:
Local pharmacy — You can get vaccinated in any pharmacy that administers the shingles vaccine.
Visit a pharmacy within your plan's network. That way, the pharmacy can directly bill your plan.
Doctor's office — In 2023, you can get vaccinated in your doctor's office for free.
First, if you're eligible, give us a call at Fair Square Medicare
Here are a few different options that can help you pay for your vaccine:
GSK Patient Assistance Program for Vaccines
To qualify for this program, you must be 18 or older, live in the United States or Puerto Rico, and meet certain income criteria.
You might also be eligible if you have Medicare Part D but have already spent $600 on medications through your plan.
Discount cards
Look out for discount coupons provided by GoodRx SingleCare
Note: These discounts cannot be combined with your Part D benefits
Installment payments
Pay small amounts at a time if you can't afford the full price upfront
Talk to your doctor or check whether your pharmacy allows you to pay in installments
Starting in 2023, the shingles vaccine will be free for all Medicare beneficiaries with Part D. If you haven't yet received the vaccine, you can wait until January to get it for free.
However, if you've already received your first dose and need your second dose before next year, you can get coverage if you're on a prescription drug plan.
And if you're not sure where to start, don't worry! Our team
Does Medicare Cover ESRD Treatments?
Dec 8, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Urodynamic Testing?
Dec 2, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Jakafi?
Dec 12, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Wart Removal?
Jan 17, 2023
What Is Medical Underwriting for Medigap?
Apr 14, 2023
Medicare Deductibles Resetting in 2025
Jan 18, 2024
How to Deduct Medicare Expenses from Your Taxes
Dec 28, 2022
When to Choose Medicare Advantage over Medicare Supplement
Jun 7, 2023
Fair Square Client Newsletter: AEP Edition
Oct 2, 2023
Is Displacement Affecting Your Medicare Coverage?
Oct 6, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Incontinence Supplies?
Dec 22, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Xiafaxan?
Jan 19, 2023
Everything About Your Medicare Card + Medicare Number
May 12, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Cold Laser Therapy (CLT)?
Jun 14, 2023
2024 Fair Square NPS Report
Mar 19, 2025
Does Medicare Cover a Spinal Cord Stimulator?
Nov 19, 2022
How Much Does Medicare Part B Cost in 2025?
Dec 27, 2022
How Do Medigap Premiums Vary?
Apr 12, 2023
13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Columbus
13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Indianapolis
13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Philadelphia
14 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Washington, D.C.
2024 Fair Square Client Retention and Satisfaction Report
2025 Medicare Price Changes
Are Medicare Advantage Plans Bad?
Can Doctors Choose Not to Accept Medicare?
Can I Change Medicare Advantage Plans Any Time? | Medicare Plans
Can I Choose Marketplace Coverage Instead of Medicare?
Can Medicare Advantage Plans be Used Out of State?
Can Medicare Advantage Plans Deny Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions?
Can Medicare Help with the Cost of Tyrvaya?
Do All Hospitals Accept Medicare Advantage Plans?
Does Medicare Cover Air Purifiers?
Does Medicare Cover Bariatric Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover Bladder Sling Surgery?
Does Medicare cover Deviated Septum Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover Diabetic Eye Exams?
Does Medicare Cover Disposable Underwear?
Does Medicare Cover Exercise Physiology?
Does Medicare Cover Flu Shots?
Does Medicare Cover Fosamax?
Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?
Does Medicare cover Hyoscyamine?
Does Medicare Cover Inqovi?
Does Medicare Cover Iovera Treatment?
Does Medicare Cover Ketamine Infusion for Depression?
Does Medicare Cover Kidney Stone Removal?
Does Medicare Cover Kyphoplasty?
Does Medicare Cover Lipoma Removal?
Does Medicare Cover Mouth Guards for Sleep Apnea?
Does Medicare Cover Penile Implant Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover Qutenza?
Does Medicare Cover Service Animals?
Does Medicare Cover SI Joint Fusion?
Does Medicare Cover SIBO Testing?
Does Medicare Cover Zilretta?
Does Medicare Pay for Antivenom?
Does Medicare Pay for Varicose Vein Treatment?
Explaining the Different Enrollment Periods for Medicare
Finding the Best Dental Plans for Seniors
Finding the Best Vision Plans for Seniors
How Are Medicare Star Ratings Determined?
How is Medicare Changing in 2025?
How Medicare Costs Can Pile Up
How Much Does a Pacemaker Cost with Medicare?
How Much Does Medicare Cost?
How to Choose a Medigap Plan
How to Compare Medigap Plans in 2025
How Your Employer Insurance and Medicare Work Together
Is Gainswave Covered by Medicare?
Is PAE Covered by Medicare?
Is the Shingles Vaccine Covered by Medicare?
Is Vitrectomy Surgery Covered by Medicare?
Medicare & Ozempic
Medicare 101
Medicare Advantage Plans for Disabled People Under 65
Medicare Guaranteed Issue Rights by State
Medicare Savings Programs in Kansas
Plan G vs. Plan N
Saving Money with Alternative Pharmacies & Discount Programs
Top 10 Physical Therapy Clinics in San Diego
What Are Medicare Part B Excess Charges?
What If I Don't Like My Plan?
What is a Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman?
What Is a Medicare Supplement SELECT Plan?
What is the 8-Minute Rule on Medicare?
What To Do If Your Medicare Advantage Plan Is Discontinued
What to Do When Your Doctor Leaves Your Network
What You Need to Know About Creditable Coverage
What's the Deal with Flex Cards?
Get the Fair Square Bulletin
Medicare savings tips, helpful guides, and more.
Virgil Insurance Agency, LLC (DBA Fair Square Medicare) and www.fairsquaremedicare.com are privately owned and operated by Help Button Inc. Medicare supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed agent/producer may contact you. Medicare Supplement insurance is available to those age 65 and older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and, in some states, to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal disease. Virgil Insurance Agency is a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Advantage HMO, HMO SNP, PPO, PPO SNP and PFFS organizations and stand-alone PDP prescription drug plans. Each of the organizations we represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. The plans we represent do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Plan availability varies by region and state. For a complete list of available plans please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov. © 2025 Help Button Inc
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
MULTIPLAN_FairSquareMedicare_01062022_M
Fair Square Medicare