Late Breaking Original Research
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
08:30 AM–10:00 AM
Abstract
Introduction: Medication affordability influences adherence, which affects health outcomes. Medicare beneficiaries can compare Part D plans to switch to better coverage, lower cost plans, however many don’t or can’t.
Research Question or Hypothesis: Can student pharmacists save older adults money by doing Part D plan comparisons?
Study Design: prospective clinical pharmacy service assessment
Methods: Adults 65 and older on or needing a Medicare Part D plan attended a plan comparison with a student pharmacist from Wayne State University (WSU) at independent community pharmacies or a senior center and from University of Southern California (USC) at campus or online retired faculty and staff events. Comparisons had pharmacist oversight. Comparisons were done 10/28-11/18/2022 with Medicare or Amplicare Part D software. Participants completed a 23-item investigator-developed satisfaction survey. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests were conducted with SPSS v29; p<0.05 significant.
Results: Forty-eight participants (28 USC, 20 WSU) had plan comparisons. They were 76.2±6.7 years old and 60% female. Thirty-one participants (65%) completed the satisfaction survey. Participants had found previous plan comparisons complicated and frequently had others assist. Plan comparisons took 34.8±11.7 minutes. Seventeen participants were already on the lowest cost plan. Twenty-two participants switched to lower cost plans. Seven participants did not switch because minimal cost savings (N=3) or other reasons (N=4). Two participants started new plans. Cost savings from plan switches were total $53,932 and average $2,451; not statistically different by site. Savings ranged from $65 to $18,793, with median savings $437 after excluding one outlier. Most participants (97%) were satisfied with the program, and all would recommend the program to others.
Conclusion: After plan comparisons, about half of the participants had cost savings from switching to lower cost Part D plans. Conducting Medicare Part D plan comparisons with older adults is a valuable service that can be done by student pharmacists outside of the healthcare system.
Presenting Author
Mary Beth O'Connell PharmDWayne State University, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Authors
Sharon Na PharmD Candidate
University of Southern California, Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Karli Pelaccio PharmD
Wayne State University
Hanadi Thomas BSPharm
Merriman Drugs
Zenab Rashid PharmD
Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Patrick Tabon PharmD
University of Southern California, Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences