Open Enrollment is here! It’s the time of year when you can either join or switch Medicare plans in order to find the right coverage for you. And if you don’t think this matters, consider that a whopping ~94% of Medicare beneficiaries aren’t enrolled in the most cost-effective plans for their medication regimen.1
We get it—the last thing you want to do is spend your free time trying to figure out whether you need to switch your Medicare Part D plan. And even if you do decide you want to make a switch, the plans change every year, so how do you know which plan to choose?
The truth is, finding the right Medicare plan is very important, and – with the help of your community pharmacist – you don’t have to go at it alone. Here are three quick reasons you should care about Medicare:
1. Your medications matter
Being able to afford your medications is vital. Why? Well, in short, if you can’t afford your medications, then you usually stop taking them. From skipping doses on purpose to taking less medications than prescribed, or even delaying filling prescriptions,2 about 1 in 10 Americans say the reason they don’t take their medications is because they just can’t afford it. This is a big deal, because when you do not receive the full intended benefits of your medication, you’re putting your health at risk.
Finding the right Medicare plan can not only help you continue to take your medications, but it can actually help you save money!
2. You could be saving money
That’s right. The second reason why you should care about Medicare is that there are some serious cost savings to be had! In fact, studies show that on average patients can save more than $1,1603 per year when finding the right plan. Still, many people don’t take advantage of plan reviews because they don’t know where to start. We have the answer, and it’s just around the corner.
Your local community pharmacy is ready to support you in finding the right plan that best fits your needs. As medication and health experts, your pharmacist can help guide you through the benefits of each plan to find the one that makes the most sense for you. Your pharmacy can even support you from the comfort of your very own home!
3. Your health needs may change
Plans can actually change which doctors and providers they support – so a third reason you should care about Medicare is to ensure your plans continue to match your health needs, year after year. Also, health services that you rely on could be removed from one year to the next – something you want to make sure you stay ahead of!
By comparing plans with your pharmacist during Open Enrollment, you can ensure your plan checks all of the boxes when it comes to your health needs.
Need help finding the right Medicare plan to fit your health and financial needs? Your local community pharmacist is a great person to ask! Check out our directory to find the community pharmacy closest to you, and while you’re in there, ask about the many other services pharmacists offer to help keep you and your community healthy.
