Question: I want to be sure I can get my medications after the first of the year. What should I do?

Answer: This last three months have been very intense for many of those with Medicare. There are many plans that were discontinued and therefore more than a third of the population in Western New York with Medicare had to find new insurance. That means a LOT of people have new insurance cards this month. All of that information needs to be communicated to providers when you go to the office. That also means that new information needs to be communicated at your pharmacy. All those records need to be updated before medications can be dispensed.

That means that check in at the doctor’s office and lab and procedures may take a little longer. You need to remember to inform them of your new coverage each and every time.

As you update that information remember there are a lot of people trying to do this. So, the phone lines will be tied up, and you may find the lines longer than usual at the pharmacy.

For those of you with automatic refills set up, you need to be sure you notify the pharmacy before they try to refill your medications. When the pharmacy tries to autofill the medication and you no longer have the plan they are trying to use, it means they can’t fill your medications. That slows down the process for the pharmacy. So, after January 1, call the mail order pharmacy and give them the new insurance information.

Also remember that your new plan may have a prior authorization or some type of restriction to your medications, that needs to be handled as well by the pharmacy, with help from your physician.

As I said the last three months have been intense for those of us that help with insurance choices. The next six weeks will be busy and hectic for the pharmacy staff.

If you can, don’t wait until you are out of medications to try to fill your meds. Be sure to request them with a little bit of extra time, so you and the pharmacy have time to work together to address the issues I have mentioned.

Some of you have talked about not having your new cards yet. You have resources to contact the company and get the information you need.

As I said last week, if you don’t have your information yet, reach out to the new company and get your new ID numbers to give to the pharmacy.

If your new company sent you a welcome to the plan letter, your ID information is on that letter. That letter can be your ID card until your card arrives.

Give the providers and pharmacy as much information as possible to provide you with an opportunity to fill your medications successfully.

Sometimes we do go to providers only once a year, and that may not be until August. It is important to remember to tell them you have new coverage. Many of you have had the same coverage for a number of years, so this will be impacting you all year long.

My New Year’s resolution is to make someone else’s day better every day. Also to try new things, see new places and smile MORE.

I am hoping that 2026 is a year of wonderful memories, good health and few difficulties for you and your loved ones. Make your decision to be happy, healthy and optimistic about the world around you.

Janell Sluga is a Geriatric Care Manager helping seniors in our community access services and insurance. To reach her, please email editorial@post-journal.com.