Kinney Drugs launches tool to help consumers compare plans for Medicare Part D

Kinney Drugs has introduced a new tool that will help consumers to compare plans as they consider their options for Medicare Part D coverage.

The company calls it the EZ Medicare PlanAdvisor. Through the tool, Kinney Drugs pharmacists will be able to provide patients with the “resources they need to make informed decisions about their coverage,” the company contended in a news release.

Kinney Drugs said it has started EZ Medicare PlanAdvisor to help newly eligible beneficiaries of Medicare Part D compare plans during open enrollment and throughout the year.

The program seeks to “take the confusion out of comparing” the plans, the release stated.

The advanced plan-comparison tool allows Kinney pharmacists to generate a custom comparison report specific to each patient’s prescription needs. The personalized report identifies specific plan options, along with projected out-of-pocket expenses including premiums, deductibles and copays, and the expected timing for the coverage gap, the company explained.

EZ Medicare PlanAdvisor is a free service that is available to current and non-Kinney pharmacy customers.

The Medicare open-enrollment period started Oct. 15 and continues through Dec. 7. Beneficiaries are using the time to make changes to their current plans If they don’t make any changes, Medicare beneficiaries will automatically be re-enrolled in their current plan, which could expose them to changes in benefits and premiums.

“Nearly all Medicare Part D plans have some sort of change every year, from co-pays, deductibles, tiers, premiums and formularies,” David Adsit, director of pharmacy operations at Kinney Drugs, said in the release. “We encourage all seniors on Medicare Part D to have their current plans reviewed to ensure the plan will still cover their prescription drugs for the next year, and at the best rate.”

Gouverneur–based Kinney Drugs an employee-owned chain of drug stores that serves communities throughout Central and Northern New York and Vermont.

Kinney Drugs is the drug store division of KPH Healthcare Services, Inc.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com