Pacific health fairs a big boost to Medicare beneficiaries
In total, Pacific's student pharmacists who volunteer to assist seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries during Part D open enrollment
During open enrollment this year, the student pharmacists -- under the supervision of licensed pharmacists -- will hold eight free Medicare Health Fairs throughout
Beneficiaries with a drug plan already should know that the insurance companies change their plans every year. Those changes include the list of drugs covered by the plan, the monthly premium and how much you pay at the pharmacy for your prescriptions, or your co-payment.
"Last year, we helped a woman who was paying
"Every year, we are able to bring it down a little for people, especially people who really need it."
Hashim, 28, hails from
Many of the people assisted at the health fairs may have a language barrier, they're confused by Medicare's online selection process, they don't have family members to help them navigate the process or their family members are just as confused and can't help.
"There are many people with no computer or their son or daughter just don't know what to do, leaving them with a ridiculous amount of issues. We try to act like the family for our patients. Think of us as the younger son or daughter who is supposed to be helping you out on this stuff," Hashim said.
In addition to assisting with Part D open enrollment, the fairs also offer free health screenings for a variety of conditions including anemia, anxiety testing, asthma/COPD, blood pressure, bone density, cholesterol, depression, diabetes, falls risk assessment, memory and sleep disorders.
High-dose flu vaccines will be available for seniors while supplies last, as well as standard flu vaccines and Tdap, Pneumovax 23 and Prevnar 13 vaccines. A new vaccine for shingles also may be available. Called Shingrix, it is considered more effective than the previous vaccine but it requires two shots within two to six months apart.
Recognizing that many seniors are taking opioids such as
Each dose costs an estimated
One of the most popular aspects of the health fairs is medication therapy management. Patients who bring their meds in will get them reviewed, learn why they are taking them and be assured that they are safe to take together. At the same time and new this year, the pharmacy students will review patient's lab values for those who bring in test results.
Should severe drug-related problems be found, beneficiaries' doctors will be notified. In past years, more than 850 severe problems were detected.
Those planning to attend a Medicare Health Fair should bring their Medicare card, all medications and a copy of their most recent lab values for review. For help with a Medicare Part D drug plan and/or a complete drug review, call the phone number listed with each event to make an appointment:
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For general information regarding Pacific's Medicare Health Fair, visit go.pacific.edu/medicare. For questions, contact (209) 910-3784 or [email protected].
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