TRUMBULL, Conn., Dec. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Oxford Health Plans,
Inc. (NYSE: OHP) announced today that it had extended its flu vaccination
coverage to include intranasal influenza vaccines for its commercial and
Medicare members.
"Each year, we strongly encourage our members to get flu vaccinations to
safeguard themselves and their families, " said Alan M. Muney, M.D., chief
medical officer at Oxford and a former pediatrician. "Due to the limited
availability of the injectable flu vaccine and the severity of the flu
epidemic thus far, we have modified our coverage to ensure that members who
want or need the flu vaccine have access to it while the shortage lasts.
Because of the shortage, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is strongly
recommending that physicians provide flu shots to individuals who are most
susceptible to the flu and its complications, including infants, seniors and
pregnant women. According to the CDC, the intranasal flu vaccination is
appropriate for healthy individuals between the ages of 5-49.
"The intranasal flu vaccine is just as effective in preventing the flu in
healthy people as the flu shot, and it's not too late to get vaccinated," Dr.
Muney said.
In light of this policy change, Oxford is reaching out to members,
employer groups and physicians through its Web site and direct communication.
Founded in 1984, Oxford Health Plans, Inc. (http://www.oxfordhealth.com)
provides health plans to employers in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut,
through its sales force and through independent insurance agents and brokers.
Oxford's services include traditional health maintenance organizations,
point-of-service plans, preferred provider plans, third-party administration
of employer-funded benefit plans and Medicare+Choice plans.
Oxford Health Plans, Inc. - Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
This press release may contain comments that are considered
forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable federal securities
laws, which are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to materially differ from those anticipated. A
discussion of those risks and uncertainties is included in the discussion
under the caption "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements"
in Part I, Item 1, of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2002 and Part I, Item 2, of the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2003.
SOURCE Oxford Health Plans, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.oxfordhealth.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/104612.html
CONTACT:
Maria Gordon Shydlo of Oxford Health Plans,
Inc., +1-203-459-7674, or mshydlo@oxfordhealth.com
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