Vaccination partnership expands immunization access in New Jersey

Garden State Pharmacy Owners is touting the results of a partnership it struck with payer Horizon Healthcare Services. Since the two organizations came together in August to allow Horizon commercial insurance patients to receive immunizations from New Jersey independent pharmacies, participating pharmacies have administered 1,500 vaccinations, GSPO said. 

Currently, more than 100 pharmacies in 15 different New Jersey counties are participating in the program, which was developed by GSPO's subsidiary Select Solutions. Participating pharmacies are reimbursed for vaccinations administered to Horizon commercial members without having to negotiate a separate insurer agreement. 

“From the outset, we believed this was an outstanding program for patients and independent pharmacies — and our assessment has been confirmed by its rapid expansion,” said GSPO executive director Marty Miller. “The program provides terrific convenience, in that individuals covered by Horizon commercial insurance are getting vaccinated in familiar, local settings that they already trust for their healthcare needs. For independent pharmacies, it’s a direct extension of the customer-focused service they provide each day.”

Pharmacies submitting claims for vaccines given to Horizon commercial members use a dedicated ID number that allows for payment under this program. Once claims have been approved, Horizon sends reimbursements to Select Solutions, which then distributes payments directly to pharmacies.

“I’m fully confident this program will continue to expand, which means greater convenience for patients and for the independent pharmacies that serve them,” Miller said.