141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

281487
Medicare part d prescription drug costs and plan satisfaction as a function of student pharmacists' assistance

Monday, November 4, 2013 : 12:42 PM - 12:54 PM

Rajul A. Patel, PharmD, PhD , Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Kate M. O'Dell, PharmD , Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Kenneth Wang , School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Stockton, CA
Shu Lu , School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Stockton, CA
Tiffany Chu , School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Stockton, CA
Kim-Anh Vo , School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Stockton, CA
Sian M. Carr-Lopez, PharmD , Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Joseph A. Woelfel, PhD, RPh , 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
Berit Gundersen, PharmD , Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Background: Beneficiaries can become overwhelmed by the myriad of Medicare Part D (MPD) plans that offer prescription drug coverage. Poor choice and increased out-of-pocket (OOP) costs can be reduced through annual plan reevaluation. Objective: To examine beneficiaries' plan satisfaction and MPD drug costs as a function of prior assistance from trained student pharmacists. Methods: Twelve outreach events, nine at the same location as the previous year, were held throughout Northern/Central California during October-November 2012. Trained student pharmacists, at each event, identified the MPD plan best meeting a beneficiary's needs based on their current medications and personal preferences (e.g., preferred pharmacy). Beneficiary demographic data, subsidy status, MPD plan cost data (obtained using the Medicare Plan Finder Tool), and plan satisfaction were collected from during each intervention. Results: In total 621 beneficiaries were assisted with MPD plan selection. Of those responding, 171 (33.0%) selected their current plan with our previous assistance. Beneficiaries receiving our help expressed significantly higher levels of plan satisfaction (p = 0.028) than those whose current plan was selected without our help. Although there was no significant difference in 2012 OOP costs for subsidy-recipients as a function of receiving previous plan assistance from us, non-subsidy recipients that selected their plan with our help had significantly (p<0.001) lower 2012 OOP costs (median: $211) than those who did not (median: $524). Conclusion: Beneficiaries receiving targeted assistance by pharmacy students are more likely to be satisfied with their MPD plan. Additionally, significant cost-savings can be achieved through interventional assistance for non-subsidy recipients.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Biostatistics, economics
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Describe Medicare beneficiaries' Part D plan satisfaction as a function of receiving assistance. Evaluate the Medicare Part D drug beneficiary out-of-pocket costs as a function of receiving targeted assistance.

Keywords: Medicare/Medicaid, Health Care Advocates

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have created the Medicare Part D Outreach program at the School in which we have served over 2000 beneficiaries with their Part D plan since the program began 6 years ago. I have presented over 20 posters/podium presentations at national/international meetings of Medicare Part D and have several published primary research articles in the area of Medicare Part D.
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.

Back to: 3208.0: Medicare/Medicaid Policy