In a 29-1 decision, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee voted in early June to cut funding for free state Medicare assister programs for seniors, including SHICK. SHICK is part of is the national federally-funded State Health Insurance Assistance Program, which provides free health benefits counseling for Medicare members and their families.
SHICK costs over half a million to operate in the state. Nationally, SHIP costs $52.1 million, according to The Hutchinson News. In Reno County, SHICK assisted 728 citizens over the age of 60 during the 2015 Medicare Part D open enrollment period.
Director of the Department of Aging for Reno County Barbara Lilyhorn said SHICK saved seniors $1,000 each last year, The Hutchinson News reported.
The Senate and the House will need to vote to end SHIP before the cuts are finalized.
More articles on payer issues:
Aetna sells Connecticut property for $1.4
In Minnesota, BCBS to ditch individual health plans
Calif. insurance commissioner says Aetna-Humana merger is anti-competitive
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
