An update on a story we first told you about yesterday regarding changes to Caterpillar's prescription drug policy.
Beginning in January Caterpillar wants its employees and retirees to go to Walmart and Walgreens as preferred providers.

Dick and Connie Krowlek go to Family Discount Drugs once a month in Lacon to get prescriptions filled. A Caterpillar retiree, Dick Krowlek says he appreciates the personal service and close proximity to his home which is less than a couple miles away from the pharmacy.

"We know Danny We been there 21 years. We like the service, good service. He's just boom, boom boom, whatever you need, he gets it," Krowlek said.

Krowlek's wife Connie says a bad experience with Walgreens several years ago while on vacation in Florida left a negative impression of the company with her.

"They were without one of the medications, one of the other stores had it, so they sent me over to the other store to get it. Well that took care of it, I could not transfer anymore," she said.

Unlike many smaller communities Lacon has two drug stores. The pharmacists say residents come from all over Marshall County to get prescriptions filled.

Low Cost Pharmacy has been around the longest even though it's changed owners.
It's one of four pharmacies Marlin and Ellen Weekley own throughout Central Illinois. Ellen Weekley says Caterpillar's plan to do business with Walgreens and Walmart will hurt local shops.

"It will take some of our business away and also it will have an impact on some of our older patients that we cannot provide the service we're use to giving to them," Weekley said.

"I spoke with two Caterpillar representatives and they kind of indicated that although there's cost containment, for the outlying areas, the rural areas that they are reviewing and expect to include some of us in the network," said Family Discount Drugs Owner Danny Schell.

Schell say he won't find out an answer until December. In the meantime Cat retirees like Krowlek are not optimistic.

"I remember years ago every benefit we ever got we got by a strike. Cat didn't give us nothing. The union got it for us," Krowlek added.

Whether or not anything changes remains to be seen.

A Caterpillar spokesperson says the company’s new plan helps participants avoid a cost increase.
Cat. retirees and employees may continue using their current provider but will have a higher co-pay.