HONOLULU (KHON2) — Big Island resident Randy Glick, a Medicare recipient, is navigating the challenges of managing diabetes while facing the rising costs of medication. “With diabetes, it’s on your mind all the time. Everything you put in your mouth, you have to think about,” Glick said. “Every activity, whether it’s going for a walk, […]
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Big Island resident Randy Glick, a Medicare recipient, is navigating the challenges of managing diabetes while facing the rising costs of medication.
“With diabetes, it’s on your mind all the time. Everything you put in your mouth, you have to think about,” Glick said. “Every activity, whether it’s going for a walk, a swim, or a bike ride, revolves around monitoring your blood sugar.”
Glick relies on the prescription drug Manjaro to help manage his condition, which he says costs about $1,000 every three months with insurance. “Without insurance, it would be two or three times that,” he noted.
Recent changes from the Inflation Reduction Act capped the cost of insulin at $35 per month starting in 2023, and now limits out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs to $2,000 a year for Medicare Part D plans like Glick’s. AARP Hawaii estimates that around 19,000 Medicare recipients in the state will benefit from these savings.
“Especially if you’re retired, you don’t want to dip into your lifetime savings if possible. You’re on a fixed income,” Glick emphasized.
In addition to these financial caps, other significant changes to Medicare are on the horizon. Kealii Lopez, AARP Hawaii State Director, advises recipients to review their coverage options during the upcoming Medicare Open Enrollment period, which runs from October 15 to December 7.
“It’s changing significantly. Take time to go through it. The prices of medications you’re taking may have changed, and so may your coverage costs,” Lopez said.
AARP and Hawaii’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) are providing one-on-one support to help beneficiaries navigate their plans. Lopez encourages individuals to attend workshops and a virtual webinar scheduled throughout October for further assistance.
For more information, contact SHIP for support during this crucial enrollment period.