POWERGRAMS

35 P H O T O b y N I K L AY M A N With six months le in the year, Tom Garlington was notified that he had already used all his prescription benefits and would be forced to pay out of his pocket for his family's remaining medical expenses. The Southern Division retiree encountered this financial roadblock in 2015, because the co-pay for his wife's diabetes medication had increased. He turned to Human Resources' Brad Hilsmier and Cindy Freeman, who introduced him to a Medicare program that provides retirees with supplemental prescription coverage. "My family, as well as other Alabama Power retirees, had a financial problem with prescription expenses," Garlington said. "Cindy and Brad did the legwork and found out what options were available, and communicated to us as best they could how the program could benefit us." "Once Brad and Cindy helped us get through the red tape, this program has been perfect for me and my wife," Garlington said. "It costs me less than $360 a year for medicine and has saved me thousands of dollars that I would have had to bear without the supplemental coverage." Hilsmier and Freeman have come to the aid of many retirees, helping them resolve company benefits issues and answering their questions. Alabama Power Energizers presented Hilsmier and Freeman with the 2016 Sam Booker Award in recognition of their commitment and readiness to assist retirees. Established in 1998, the award honors Alabama Power employees who go the extra mile in support of company retirees. It is named for Sam Booker, a driving force in the early days of the organization. Hilsmier said he was proud and humbled to receive this honor. "It's truly a pleasure and honor to be of service to our retiree family," said Hilsmier, HR manager. "We are there to help the retirees navigate the complicated world of healthcare and understand how our medical plan interacts in that world. I think we fill a void where there's no one to advocate on their behalf. We help them get through a sea of toll-free phone numbers and scripts read by telephone representatives." Freeman said receiving the award took her by surprise. "The fact that the Energizers appreciate what we do and feel so strongly about us is amazing," said Freeman, HR specialist. "The retirees have taught me so much history about the company. They have ended up being great friends that I've never had the opportunity to work with, and I'm glad we have the chance to help them." Since they began providing support four years ago, Hilsmier and Freeman have been invited to Energizers luncheon meetings to review Alabama Power's HR EMPLOYEES' EFFORTS LEAD TO BOOKER AWARD BY CARLA DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYNTER BYRD Brad Hilsmier and Cindy Freeman, left, meet with Charles and Sharon Allen.

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