By Tim Bonfield
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield has joined a growing list of health insurers that will cover the costs of the FluMist vaccine - at least for this flu season.

Others include Aetna, Cigna and regional Blue Cross plans serving North Carolina, New Jersey and the Washington D.C. area.

Influenza is now widespread in 24 states, including Indiana. Officials report regional flu outbreaks in Ohio and Kentucky.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that healthy adults get the nasal FluMist vaccine in hopes of reserving the remaining limited supplies of traditional flu shots for the elderly, children and other higher-risk groups.

The problem: FluMist vaccine costs $50 or more depending on location.

That's several times higher than traditional flu shots, which can be obtained for $5, $15 and, in many situations, at no charge.

Many insurers had balked at the high cost of FluMist and refused to cover the nasal vaccine. Now, with a nationwide shortage of vaccine, some insurers have changed their minds.

"With the CDC's recent modification in policy, we want to ensure that our members and their health care providers are aware of the coverage," said Dr. Michael Nussbaum, Anthem's chief medical officer.

FluMist is recommended for people only between ages 5 and 49. For Anthem's coverage, the spray must be administered at a doctor's office.

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E-mail tbonfield@enquirer.com