263192 Health status evaluation of Medicare beneficiaries

Monday, October 29, 2012

Joseph A. Woelfel, PhD, RPh , Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Rajul A. Patel, PharmD, PhD , Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Carly Ranson, BA, Pharm D Candidate , Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Binita B. Patel, PharmD Candidate , Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Urvish Italia, BS, PharmD Candidate , Thomas J Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Henry Lee, PharmD Candidate , Thomas J Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Sean N. Chu, Pharm D Candidate , Thomas J Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Mark P. Walberg, PharmD, PhD , Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Sian M. Carr-Lopez, PharmD , Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Suzanne M. Galal, PharmD , Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Objectives: Quality-of-Life (QoL) data is not frequently reported from Medicare beneficiaries. Collection of such data can provide another dimension on which beneficiaries are assessed. The present study sought to evaluate beneficiaries' self-reported health status and to examine differences in health status as a function of demographic characteristics. Methods: Community outreach events were conducted from October through December 2011 during which 576 Medicare beneficiaries were provided comprehensive services including medication therapy management. As part of the intervention, beneficiaries were asked to report their current health status and health status change over the previous year. In addition, demographic data, prescription utilization, and self-reported disease states were collected via standardized survey.Results: Approximately 1-in-3 beneficiaries described their current health as either “fair” or “poor”. Roughly the same percentage (29.6%) described their current health as either “somewhat worse” or “much worse” when compared to the same time a year ago. The health status of subsidy-recipients was significantly worse than non-subsidy recipients. Higher level of education attained was significantly correlated with better self-reported health status. No significant difference in health status as a function of sex, marital status or age was found. Current health status was negatively correlated with the number of prescription medications taken. Beneficiaries with Parkinson's disease, dementia, or depression had the worst self-reported health of disease states reported. Conclusions: Beneficiaries' health status can vary significantly as a function of specific demographic or clinical characteristics. Quality-of-Life assessment can help facilitate improved beneficiary-provider communications.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Provision of health care to the public

Learning Objectives:
1) Evaluate Medicare beneficiaries' self-reported health status 2) Describe differences in health status as a function of demographic characteristics

Keywords: Medicare, Quality of Life

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: of my teaching, research, and practice-based experience as the Vice Chairman of the Pharmacy Practice Department, Director of Pharmaceutical Care Clinics, and Coordinator for Geriatric Pharmacy Practice Experiences at University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy. I teach geriatrics, pharmacy management, coordinate student geriatric pharmaceutical care, and manage the care clinics. I believe that I have fulfilled the authorship criteria as defined in AJPH's Authorship Policy.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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