Medicare provides essential healthcare and medication coverage for older adults and individuals with disabilities in the United States. However, Medicare is not without out-of-pocket costs, and many beneficiaries still face significant financial barriers to care. Although several governmental assistance programs exist, they remain underutilized due to low awareness and the perceived complexity of the enrollment process. Leveraging human intelligence and compassion, community pharmacists are well-positioned to identify eligible individuals and connect them with local Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) for screening and enrollment in assistance programs that reduce out-of-pocket medical and medication costs. In Alabama, we have developed two initiatives: (1) integrating education into the pharmacy curriculum to prepare future pharmacists to assist beneficiaries in selecting Medicare plans tailored to their needs, and (2) training current pharmacy teams to recognize those who may qualify for assistance programs and refer them to ADRCs. Over the past decade, these programs have trained more than 1,500 individuals, creating the first known model linking pharmacists with ADRCs. Program evaluations published in peer-reviewed journals confirm the feasibility and sustainability of these initiatives, demonstrating improved Medicare plan selection and increased referrals for assistance. This approach demonstrates how human-centered strategies and professional judgment can mitigate barriers to affordable care, ensure access to Medicare-covered services, and provide long-term solutions for Medicare enrollees with limited resources. By integrating pharmacists into the aging services network, these programs exemplify the power of human intelligence in addressing complex healthcare challenges.

Authors:
Salisa Westrick, Auburn University, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Salisa Westrick is a pharmacist and implementation scientist focused on expanding the uptake of evidence‑based programs to improve health outcomes, especially among older adults

Connect on ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Salisa-Westrick

Additional website of interest
https://pharmacy.auburn.edu/directory/salisa-westrick.php

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