Help for Medicare Supplement Plans and Prescriptions
If you’re overwhelmed by the number of prescriptions you take, you have a lot of company. A survey by Kelton Research on behalf of Medco Health Solutions, Inc. found that what seniors don’t know about medications they take could be dangerous. To reduce drug risks, you need to know the names of the drugs, why you take them, and what the interactions and side effects can be.
More than one third (34 percent) of the seniors surveyed who took five or more prescription drugs didn’t feel they had enough knowledgeable about their prescription drugs, and potential interactions or side effects. Thirty-five percent were not sure they could even name all the medications they took.
It’s an alarming waste that adverse drug reactions kill an estimated 100,000 annually. How can you protect yourself? Keep an up-to-date list of all prescribed medications, and take it with you every time to see a doctor. It also needs to show the herbal supplements, medicinal creams and ointments, over-the-counter medications, and vitamins you take. Get a consumer information sheet with your prescriptions, and read it. Read labels on over-the-counter medications, too, especially the warnings. Ask pharmacists if your list indicates any potential drug interactions.
Managing your medications and what they cost can feel overwhelming, but asking for help is the first step. At MediGap Advisors, we know Medicare Supplement Plans (also called Medigap Insurance Plans). We provide consultations at no cost to answer your questions about plans that can fill the holes in Medicare coverage. Call us at 866-323-1441, and we’ll plan evening or weekend telephone appointment times to fit your schedule.
You can also use our simple Medigap “How To” Guide to learn more about Medigap Plans from the highest-rated companies. That includes Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana One, Mutual of Omaha, and UnitedHealthcare.