|
Medication Management & Prescription Drug Assistance Program
Questions on Medicare Part D? Click on
www.medicare.gov & get answers |
Our Services:
A Prescription Assistance Coordinator (PAC) works with seniors to find programs and resources to help lower the costs of medications. The PAC helps seniors complete applications and track reordering.
A Pharmacist provides seniors with comprehensive medication review and management services. The pharmacist works with physicians to develop a drug regimen sufficient to meet the health needs of each patient consistent with his/her ability to afford and implement the total plan of care.
Home visits are made when necessary
Contacts: Mid-East Commission Area Agency on Aging Pharmacist: Brooks Smith, PharmD Prescription Assistance Coordinators: Wanda Moore 252-974-1854 Pitt County Council on Aging Kimberly Montanez (PAC) Lisa Price (PAC) 252-752-1717 Our program is funded in part by a grant from the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission
The North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission voted to utilize $32 million in tobacco settlement funds to start a prescription drug assistance program for persons 65 and older who have income below 200% of the federal poverty level ($17,720 for an individual and $23,880 for a couple) and do not have third party insurance. This program pays 60% of the cost of prescription drugs up to a maximum of $1,000 in drugs each year for cardio-vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The Trust Fund Commission also voted to use $3 million in settlement funds for medication education and counseling programs for seniors. The Mid-East Commission Area Agency on Aging received funding under this initiative to establish a Medication Management Center serving the counties of Beaufort, Bertie, Hertford, and Pitt and work closely with local aging agencies and partners to assist seniors with prescription drug assistance. Note that Martin County is funded under another proposal as submitted by Martin-Tyrell-Washington District Health Department through the Trust Fund Commission and seniors can access information about that program through the Martin County Senior Center.
Our program currently employs one full-time pharmacist and part-time prescription assistance coordinators (PACs). Patients referred to our program are offered prescription assistance and medication management services. These services are completed through a scheduled interview with the patient. Patients are asked to provide our team with comprehensive financial and medical information. During the interview process, the patient meets with a PAC who completes intake information and begins to identify programs that may assist the patient get his/her medications free or at a reduced cost. A pharmacist is then available to complete medication management services. Medication management is a process that includes assessing medication therapy, educating patients and provider, and recommending and/or securing alternative therapies as necessary to meet the health needs of the patient. Once the interview is completed, our PAC and pharmacist work closely with the physician and other health care providers to implement a beneficial care plan that is affordable to the patient. Our PAC and pharmacist continue to work with the patient in re-applications for medications so they do not experience any gaps and can remain compliant with their medication regime. We believe our team's assistance in securing affordable prescription drugs, managing medications properly, and following-up to ensure compliance will provide an improved quality of health for the seniors we serve.
Check out
for information on Medicare Part D