Senior PharmAssist

09/09/2025

Our Fall Newsletter 2025 is now on our website: Thank you to all those who supported us, volunteered and donated during our last fiscal year. Team work makes the dream work!

Senior PharmAssist | 406 Rigsbee Ave, Suite 201 | Durham, NC 27701-2186 | Phone: 919-688-4772 | Fax: 919-652-0444 | Email

08/27/2025

Join the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy for a presentation by our ED Gina Upchurch on Medicare and Part D: Updates on the Benefits in 2026 will provide practical tips and updates to understand Medicare coverage options for older adults and adults with disabilities. The session will also help attendees understand changes in the Medicare drug benefit design due to the Inflation Reduction Act and new regulations related to the voluntary payment plan and impact on key stakeholders, including pharmacies and how advocacy is critical to ensure medication optimization.

When: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Registration starts 8/29/2025 and is $50.00 to attend. Register today!

[CEU] | Medicare and Part D: Updates on the Benefits in 2026 will provide practical tips and updates to understand Medicare coverage options for older adults and adults with disabilities. The session will also help attendees understand changes in the Medicare drug benefit design due to the Inflation...

08/27/2025

Some of the reasons we do what we do! NC Coalition on Aging Medicare thanks National Council on Aginghttps://www.advancingstates.org/sites/default/files/ADStates%20Medicare%20Brochure%20NoCrops.pdf

08/26/2025

Great summary and why we do what we do to help some folks who struggle financially. Of course... all confused by choices.

This brief examines the income, assets, and home equity of Medicare beneficiaries, overall and by age, race and ethnicity, and gender, using data derived from the Dynamic Simulation of Income Model (DYNASIM) for 2024. The analysis highlights that most Medicare beneficiaries live on relatively low in...

08/24/2025

Thanks to KFF Health News for sharing this important information; not all Medicare beneficiaries experience health costs equally. https://www.kff.org/medicare/health-costs-consume-a-large-portion-of-income-for-millions-of-people-with-medicare/ Medicare

To document the affordability challenges posed by out-of-pocket health care costs for people with Medicare, this brief analyzes out-of-pocket health care costs as a share of Social Security income and total income, including other sources of income in addition to Social Security.

08/20/2025

Appreciate NC Health News and Grace Vitaglione for following these critical issues for North Carolinians who need access to affordable medications - esp. from a pharmacist/pharmacy they trust! North Carolina Association of Pharmacists

With many PBMs under scrutiny, smaller startups that bill themselves as transparent are seeing interest from employers.

08/16/2025

Not good news....

Hikes could potentially increase by up to $50 per month

08/06/2025

We've been published! Check it out:

This paper outlines the implementation of our model in three additional counties—Buncombe, Guilford, and Pitt—through a statewide learning collaborative. Congratulations to HPU School of Pharmacy for taking the lead on the paper and to our amazing statewide partners.
https://ncmedicaljournal.com/article/142248-medication-access-models-for-older-adults-and-underserved-populations-replication-and-delivery-of-innovative-services-across-the-state

Council On Aging of Buncombe County

Here, we outline the process for expanding SPA to new communities, and discuss challenges related to scaling the model, such as funding and adapting to varied local contexts.
https://ncmedicaljournal.com/article/142255-integrating-medication-management-and-access-medicare-counseling-and-tailored-referrals-planning-to-scale-a-community-based-model

By Vanna Labi, Rachael Clemens & 3 more. The Senior PharmAssist model shows how medication services for older adults can be integrated at the community level to improve outcomes and create a more user friendly system.

07/29/2025

Tomorrow - turns 60! Interesting history - demonstrates that "systems" often start one patch at a time and grow. The quilt that is Medicare is literally a lifesaver for millions, and also needs to be improved in significant ways. Read a bit of history here. Happy to be discussing critical improvements that are needed now. https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Medicare_Signed_Into_Law.htm #:~:text=On%20July%2030%2C%201965%2C%20President,Harry%20Truman%20had%20proposed%20it.

1964: Medicare Signed Into Law -- July 30, 1965

07/29/2025

I am sure there is a paywall to read: bottom line - this is tough news for folks who need brand medicines that come via Europe to the US - much of the 15% increase will likely to be passed along to consumers/patients starting next month. helps protect some Medicare beneficiaries - but taxpayers ultimately pay the price.

Many pharmaceutical products made in Europe will face a 15 percent tariff, pinching manufacturers and potentially leading to higher drug prices.

07/24/2025

This is an excellent article about and - the embedded video is clear and concise. NC Department of Insurance NC Coalition on Aging

Medicare Advantage (MA) has grown significantly in recent years. While it provides an alternative coverage pathway for people with Medicare, there are important tradeoffs with Original Medicare that many beneficiaries may not fully understand, such as a more limited selection of providers and prior....

07/23/2025

We appreciate the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists sharing beautiful pharmacy paraphernalia even if just a loan while you relocate...see scales and decanters on top. Ralph Rogers and family shared the other "back in the day" goodies!