There are multiple ways to get your flu shot.  What is your best choice?

Where you get your flu shot affects your out-of-pocket cost and the cost to the State Plan. 

$ - Least expensive: Montana Health Center Clinics or One Health Clinics - no cost to you, best value for the State Plan.
$$ - Best option for those who can't attend the Montana Health Center clinics or the One Health Clinics: Participating pharmacy. No additional cost to you but more expensive for the State Plan. To find a participating pharmacy in your area, please contact Navitus, our pharmacy plan administrator.
$$$ - Your regular provider:  You pay a $25 office visit copay, and this is most expensive for the State Plan. The State Plan pays for your visit and the shot. This option can cost the State Plan over $100!
$$$$ - Non-participating pharmacy: You pay the full cost of the flu shot.  Most expensive for you.

Montana Health Center or One Health Clinics Flu Shot Appointments
It is most effective to get the flu shot in early October unless your medical provider recommends otherwise. If you have a special circumstance that requires you to get the flu shot earlier than the beginning of October, please contact the Montana Health Center or One Health Clinic of your choice for details.

High Dose Flu Shot:  
The high-dose flu shot is not available at the health center or at off-site flu shot clinics. If you need a high dose flu shot, you will need to get it from a participating pharmacy.

Adding a COVID Vaccine:
COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations may be administered at the same time. To received a COVID-19 vaccine during you flu shot appointment at a Montana Health Center or Off-Site event, simply request it when you check it or add it to the "What is the most important thing you want addressed during this visit?" section when scheduling your appointment. 

ONE HEALTH CLINICs

Ashland, Chinook, Glendive, Hardin, Harlem, Lewistown, Miles City

• Flu shots are available for State Plan members 4 years of age and older including Medicare Retirees.
• If you only need a flu shot, please call the One Health Clinic of your choice for details. 
• If you are an established patient, you may ask to add a flu shot when checking in for another scheduled One Health Clinic appointment.  

Montana Health Centers

Anaconda, Billings, Butte, Helena, Missoula

• Flu shots are available for State Plan members 4 years of age and older including Medicare Retirees.
• If you only need a flu shot, please call the Health Center at (855) 200-6822.  
• You may ask to add a flu shot when checking in for another scheduled Montana Health Center appointment.  

2023 Montana Health Center Flu Shot Schedule

To make an appointment for a flu shot, you must call the Montana Health Center at (855) 200-6822 to check availability and to schedule your appointment.

September - December
Appointments are required.  

Click here for instructions for making your appointment!

Accommodations
HCBD will make reasonable accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with a person's ability to participate in wellness events, programs, or public meetings. Please contact HCBD at least three days prior to the event, program, or meeting to allow adequate time for us to make appropriate accommodations.

The Fine Print
Flu shots are no additional cost to State of Montana Benefit Plan members at a Montana Health Center, Montana Health Center off-site flu shot clinic, or at a participating provider. The flu vaccine offered at these flu clinics are the Quadrivalent regular dose flu shot. We do NOT offer the high-dose flu shot, so if you need that please plan to get your flu shot at another location.
Appointments are required at both Montana Health Centers and Off-site flu shot clinics. Do NOT schedule an appointment for a flu shot with a health center medical provider unless you have other medical needs that you need to see a provider for.
The seasonal influenza vaccine often protects against more than one strain of the virus and is different each year based on projections for illness-causing strains. For more information on flu shot safety, efficacy, or necessity contact your health care provider.