Seniors get Medicare Part D help | ULM Forum 3-30-12
The University of Louisiana at Monroe School of Pharmacy recently doubled the number of seniors helped with choosing and enrolling in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. Dr. Michelle Zagar, clinical assocaite professor and a certified geriatric pharmacist, has been counseling seniors since the plan went into effect in 2006.
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The expansion in service came with the help of third professional year pharmacy students and Dr. Laurel Andrews, coordinator of Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience. All pharmacy students now learn about the complex Medicare Part D program in their Health Systems Class.
Medicare beneficiaries who requested assistance were asked to submit a list of all their medications. Under the supervision of Andrews, students entered the drug lists into the Medicare Drug Plan Finder on the Medicare website.
Zagar then met with each individual at the Ouachita Council on Aging to discuss their plan options, identify the plans providing the best coverage at the best price to them, and help them enroll in the plan of their choice.
Of the Medicare beneficiaries who re-evaluated their prescription drug plan needs, 47 beneficiaries switched their plans for 2012 for a total savings of $32,294.
Individual savings ranged from $50 to $6,762.
According to Zagar, the large amount of total savings this year highlights the importance of seniors re-evaluating their prescription drug plan needs each year, as companies drop some drugs from their formularies.
Air Date:
Fri, 03/30/2012
