NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. —The Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) program has local counselors in Reno County that can help seniors find the most affordable prescription drug plan for them, free of charge.
"We certainly do have a lot of appointments left," said Denise Pina with the Reno County Department of Aging. "What you need to bring in when you come is your Medicare card, a list of your prescriptions with the dosage and quantity, or sometimes people find it easier to bring the actual prescriptions in the bottles, so the spelling is correct for them."
SHICK counselors do not work for any insurance company.
Sometimes we can put in what we call the formulary, which is the drugs with the dosage and the quantity," Pina said. "It will bring up maybe several names and if you don't know which one you're on, we don't want to guess. We want to make sure we get the appropriate name down."
It's also important to do this as individuals, as the prescriptions a married couple may take are likely different, and could have a different company and method for each individual that is least expensive.
"Your drug plans, some people think that they can compare them to other people's plans," Pina said. "You can not do that. It is strictly critiqued by your drugs through the Medicare site."
The goal is to educate and assist the public to make informed decisions on what's best for them. Appointments are available at the Reno County Department of Aging at 120 West Ave. B. Call them at (620) 694-2911. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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