Heather Buchko, Amicus LLC

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Heather Buchko, Amicus LLC Heather Buchko is an experienced independent insurance agent specializing in Medicare products.

With over 20 years of dedicated service, Heather is known for her deep knowledge of Medicare and commitment to helping individuals navigate insurance.

Some work harder than others at our office! 😜
10/21/2026

Some work harder than others at our office! 😜

💊 Medicare Is Negotiating Prescription Drug Prices - What Does That Mean for YOU?You may have heard that Medicare is n...
10/21/2026

💊 Medicare Is Negotiating Prescription Drug Prices - What Does That Mean for YOU?

You may have heard that Medicare is now negotiating prices on certain expensive prescription medications. But what does that actually mean for your wallet?

Let's break it down!

💙 What's happening?

For the first time, Medicare is negotiating prices directly with drug manufacturers for certain high-cost medications covered under Medicare Part D.

The first 10 negotiated drug prices took effect January 1, 2026, and 15 additional medications will have negotiated prices beginning January 1, 2027!

💊 Which medications are included?

Some familiar names on the 2026 list include:

✔️ Eliquis – Blood thinner
✔️ Xarelto – Blood thinner
✔️ Jardiance – Diabetes and heart-related conditions
✔️ Farxiga – Diabetes and heart-related conditions
✔️ Januvia – Diabetes
✔️ Entresto – Heart failure
✔️ Stelara – Certain inflammatory conditions

💰 Does this mean your prescriptions will be cheaper?

Possibly! And that's the important part.

Negotiated prices can help reduce what Medicare prescription drug plans pay for certain medications. However, the amount YOU pay at the pharmacy still depends on your specific Part D or Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan.

Your deductible, copays, coinsurance, pharmacy choice, and plan formulary all play a role.

📅 Why does this matter during Medicare Open Enrollment?

Because the same medication can have very different out-of-pocket costs depending on the plan you choose!

A medication being on Medicare's negotiated drug list doesn't automatically mean it's free or that every plan will charge the same amount.

💙 My advice?

Don't choose your prescription drug plan based on the monthly premium alone. Look at the TOTAL estimated annual cost of your medications, including premiums, deductibles, and pharmacy costs.

At Amicus, that's exactly what we help our clients do. We review your prescriptions, compare available plans, and help you understand what to expect in the coming year.

Lower drug prices are great news, but understanding how they affect YOUR coverage is even better!

💙 Medicare Advantage Members: You Have Extra Benefits… But Do You Know HOW to Use Them?Having extra benefits is great, b...
10/20/2026

💙 Medicare Advantage Members: You Have Extra Benefits… But Do You Know HOW to Use Them?

Having extra benefits is great, but they don't do you much good if you don't know how to access them!

Many Medicare Advantage plans offer additional benefits like dental, vision, hearing, fitness memberships, and over-the-counter (OTC) allowances. The tricky part? Each benefit may have a different process for using it!

Here's where to start! 👇

🦷 DENTAL: Before scheduling an appointment, check whether your dentist participates in your plan's dental network. Some plans use a separate dental company, so don't assume your dentist is covered just because they accept your medical insurance.

👓 VISION: Need new glasses? Find out which vision network your plan uses and whether you have an allowance toward frames or lenses. You may need to visit a participating provider to receive your full benefit.

👂 HEARING: Thinking about hearing aids? Many plans partner with companies like TruHearing. You may need to schedule through that company's network to access your hearing aid benefit, even if your current audiologist accepts your medical plan.

💪 FITNESS: Don't let that gym membership go unused! Check which fitness program your plan offers, such as One Pass or SilverSneakers, and whether your favorite fitness center participates. You may need to register or obtain a membership number before your first visit.

🛒 OVER-THE-COUNTER (OTC): Have an OTC allowance? Find out how to order! Depending on your plan, you may be able to shop online, order by phone, or purchase eligible items at participating retailers. Pay attention to quarterly or monthly deadlines because unused allowances may expire!

🚗 TRANSPORTATION: If your plan includes transportation, you may need to arrange rides through a designated company several days before your appointment.

⚠️ A FEW IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

✔️ Your medical provider network may be different from your dental, vision, or hearing network.

✔️ Some benefits require registration or activation before you can use them.

✔️ Not all providers, gyms, or retailers participate.

✔️ Benefits, allowances, and eligibility requirements vary by plan.

✔️ Some benefits reset at the beginning of the year, so don't forget to check what you have available!

💙 Here's where Amicus comes in!

Our job doesn't end when you enroll in a Medicare plan. We want you to understand your coverage and feel confident using it!

Not sure how to order your OTC items? Need help finding a participating dentist? Wondering how to activate your fitness membership?

Call us! We're happy to help you figure it out.

Because having great benefits is one thing… knowing how to use them is even better!

💊 Struggling with the high cost of prescription medications?Cost Plus Drugs is changing the game by offering many medica...
10/19/2026

💊 Struggling with the high cost of prescription medications?
Cost Plus Drugs is changing the game by offering many medications at transparent, affordable prices. Instead of confusing pricing and hidden markups, Cost Plus Drugs shows exactly what you're paying for: the cost of the medication, a small markup, and pharmacy fees.

✅ Lower prescription costs
✅ Transparent pricing
✅ Convenient online ordering
✅ Access to many common medications

For individuals, families, and anyone managing ongoing health needs, Cost Plus Drugs can be a valuable resource for saving money while still getting the medications they need.

Take a look and see if your prescriptions could cost less.

Note: Medication availability and pricing vary. Always consult your healthcare provider and pharmacist regarding your prescriptions.

10/16/2026

Happy birthday to HEATHER!!! 🥰🧁🫶🏼

😂 If I Had a Dollar for Every Time I Said This During Medicare Annual Enrollment…After nearly 24 years of helping people...
10/14/2026

😂 If I Had a Dollar for Every Time I Said This During Medicare Annual Enrollment…

After nearly 24 years of helping people navigate Medicare, there are a few things I can practically say in my sleep!

💊 "Yes, we really do need to check your medications again."

💰 "No, a $0 premium doesn't mean everything is free."

📬 "Did you read your Annual Notice of Change?"

🤔 "No, you don't HAVE to change plans every year!"

📺 "Please don't believe everything you see in those Medicare commercials!"

☕ "Amber, is there any coffee left?"

And my personal favorite…

❤️ "Sometimes the best thing we can do is absolutely NOTHING!"

Because not everyone needs a new plan. Sometimes staying right where you are is the smartest decision.

Medicare Annual Enrollment: October 15 – December 7

At Amicus, LLC, Amber and I are here to help you understand your options, not change your plan just for the sake of changing it.

📬 That Annual Notice of Change? PLEASE Don't Ignore It!Every fall, Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plan ...
10/13/2026

📬 That Annual Notice of Change? PLEASE Don't Ignore It!

Every fall, Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plan members receive an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) from their insurance company.

And while I know it's tempting to toss it into the growing pile of Medicare mail, this is one piece you really should read! 👀

Almost 24 Years of Medicare… Oh, How Things Have Changed! ❤️Sometimes I wonder where the years have gone. It's hard to b...
10/12/2026

Almost 24 Years of Medicare… Oh, How Things Have Changed! ❤️

Sometimes I wonder where the years have gone. It's hard to believe I've been helping people navigate Medicare for nearly 24 years!

I've been doing this since BEFORE Medicare prescription drug coverage even existed! 😳

When Medicare Part D enrollment first opened on November 15, 2005, I was right there helping people figure it all out.

Back then, my car was my office, and almost every appointment took place at YOUR kitchen table! 🚗☕

And Annual Enrollment? That ran from November 15 all the way through December 31. Yes, right through Christmas!

Needless to say, the holidays looked a little different in our house. There were plenty of Christmas tree hunts squeezed in between appointments, holiday preparations worked around Medicare deadlines, and lots of juggling between being a mom and taking care of my clients.

And this was all before our family was even complete! ❤️

I thought I'd share a photo from one of our more memorable Christmas tree hunts between appointments. 🎄😂

Looking back, it’s those little moments tucked into the middle of all the chaos that still make me smile.

Over the years, I've watched Medicare plans, benefits, rules, and enrollment dates change more times than I can count.

And yes, I've survived EVERY Annual Enrollment Period along the way! 😂☕

But here's what hasn't changed…

My love for what I do and my commitment to the people I serve.

Many of my clients have been with me for nearly two decades. I've gotten to know their families, share in their lives, and build friendships that mean far more than any insurance policy.

Today, I have an actual office instead of a car full of paperwork, but I still believe in the same personal service that started at those kitchen tables all those years ago.

Nearly 24 years later, I'm still here, still learning, still advocating, and still grateful for the people who have trusted me along the way. ❤️

Amicus means friend. And after all these years, that means more to me than ever.

Experience matters. Relationships matter even more.

10/09/2026

Was $90 deposited into your account today? Here’s why or why not!

💭 Ever wonder what goes through Amber’s mind during Medicare enrollment season? 🤔Some might think she's daydreaming abou...
10/08/2026

💭 Ever wonder what goes through Amber’s mind during Medicare enrollment season? 🤔
Some might think she's daydreaming about a tropical vacation, winning the lottery, or what she's having for dinner...
Nope! 😂
She's just sitting there thinking...
💙 "How many people can I help understand Medicare today?"
💙 "How can I make all these plan changes a little less confusing?"
💙 "And how many people can I guide through the Medicare maze without anyone losing their mind?" 🤣
Around here, we take Medicare seriously... but we don't think it has to be so serious all the time!
Amber and I are ready to tackle another enrollment season, one question, one client, and probably several cups of coffee at a time! ☕💙

Address

935 S 8th Street, Suite 107
Manitowoc, WI
54220

Telephone

+19206459667

Website

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