Carnegie Mellon

New Benefit Information: Highmark Student Health Insurance Covers Gardasil

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has added Gardasil, the vaccine that protects women against 4 types of HPV including two that lead to cervical cancer, to the schedule of covered vaccines. Females age 9-26 can receive the vaccination series (3 injections over 6 months) free of charge. If a female starts the vaccination series at the age of 26, the insurance will cover the cost for completion of the series even if the female turns 27 before completing the series.

There is a copay for the office visit which the patient is responsible for. Since there is no visit copay at the Student Health Service, students receiving the vaccine from Student Health Services have no charges associated with the vaccination.

The benefit is retroactive to January 1, 2007. Any student who received an injection from Student Health since January 1 is eligible for a refund. Student Health will bill Highmark for the vaccine.