Connecting the Connectors: Bringing Together Business Coalitions, Employers, Health Plans, Pediatricians and Public Health

Background:
Nevada's childhood immunization rates have been ranked low for many years. 18% of Nevada's children are uninsured and many are underinsured. Recently, the state health department announced that it can no longer afford to maintain its universal purchase status. Pediatricians will have to purchase all vaccines up-front for their private patients and health plans will have to reimburse pediatricians for the cost of vaccines. Pediatricians have complained about low reimbursement rates and state they cannot afford to purchase vaccines. Nevada's Health Services Business Coalition has data that can be used to help identify new strategies to reach the unvaccinated.

Setting:
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Population:
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Project Description:
Identifying these problems, the Southern Nevada Immunization Coalition (SNIC) creatively worked to bring together business coalitions, large employers, pediatricians and public health to improve vaccine access and finance. SNIC worked with the American Academy of Pediatrics to hold a meeting where all the stakeholders discussed their challenges and proposed solutions. Since then, subsequent meetings between Health Services Business Coalition, health plans and pediatricians have taken place and the outcomes include: pediatricians getting a better understanding of the health plans in Nevada; health plans understanding the importance of covering all ACIP recommended immunizations, costs associated with delivering vaccines and providing adequate reimbursement to providers; employers making a commitment to address the reimbursement issue with their health plans; and public health sharing planning information.

Results/Lessons Learned:
•As the cost of health care raises, immunization programs should reach out to the business community.
•Employers have a great stake in the health of their employees and their families and are willing to come to the table for the promotion of immunizations.
•Physicians need to understand health plans within their state and must take initiates and come with an open mind when talking with plans.