WSU Spokane Pharmacy Students Extend Medicare Part D Assistance

SPOKANE, Wash. – Over the last month, students in Washington State University’s doctor of pharmacy program offered a service to the community that was both timely and very much in demand — assistance in reviewing the prescription benefit options under Medicare Part D.

Working by appointment, student volunteers met with clients at the Spokane campus to review their prescriptions and use the official Medicare Web site to compare the top plans that cover an individual’s current medications. They handled more than 200 inquiries from Medicare recipients, caretakers and health care professionals.

Student organizer Cris DuVall received many positive responses to the service. “Comments received ran along the lines of ‘This was all the help we needed to be comfortable making a decision’ to ‘I’m telling everyone they’ve got to call you!’,” she said. She added that the experience had been rewarding and eye-opening for the students as well.

Due to the overwhelming demand, the service—which was slated to end by Jan. 6—has been extended through Feb. 28 for inquiries by phone, e-mail, and mail. Those interested can call or email DuVall at (509) 389-9922, or ckduvall@wsu.edu, or write her at Cris DuVall, c/o College of Pharmacy, Washington State University Spokane, PO Box 1495, Spokane, WA 99210-1495.

Clients need to provide a list of their current prescriptions at the time of inquiry. Please note that while the student volunteers assist clients in comparing their options, they do not sell any plans and will not sign anyone up for anything.

About the WSU College of Pharmacy

The WSU College of Pharmacy graduates approximately 90 students each year from its accredited professional pharmacy degree program. Another 15 to 20 students are enrolled in the pharmacology/toxicology graduate degrees program. The Department of Health Policy and Administration in the College of Pharmacy, headquartered at WSU Spokane, enrolls around 60 students, with 15-20 graduating each year from its accredited master’s in health policy and administration degree program.

The College of Pharmacy has been serving the residents of Washington state since 1892. In addition to their teaching responsibilities in the doctor of pharmacy program, faculty in the Department of Pharmacotherapy have clinical practices in hospitals, medical clinics, mental health centers, nursing homes and other health care institutions in Spokane, Yakima, Pullman and Moscow, Idaho.

Web sites:

WSU College of Pharmacy: https://www.pharmacy.wsu.edu
WSU Spokane: https://www.spokane.wsu.edu