We also stopped offering flu shots to our patients a few years ago when the price spiked, so our reimbursement became less than our cost per dose. You remember, it was those years when the vaccine companies underproduced the vaccine to create a shortage, people waiting on line at fire stations, etc. Like what Enron did during the California rolling blackouts.
If we get the patients to come in as a separate visit for the vaccine only, we can make a small profit by charging an administration fee plus the pitiful vaccine reimbursement. But at an office visit, which is when the patients usually want the shot, it becomes just another cost rolled into the office visit.
Rather than come to the office, our loyal patients simply walked into Walgreens or Costco, and proudly told us that the got the flu shot "free" (since the drugstore charged their insurer or Medicare). I told them they were just chipping away at my ability to keep my office open for when they need real medical care. They don't like to hear that.
