Jerilyn Arneson is a Medicare access expert. She emphasizes the crucial role of healthcare professionals in educating themselves about available resources to assist patients in accessing medication and support. Jerilyn and host Janelle Ball discuss the importance of biologic coordinators (or access coordinators) knowing these resources to help patients obtain necessary medications effectively.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or health advice. This podcast does not substitute medical treatment. Always consult a doctor or dermatologist regarding medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

Jerilyn Arneson highlights the importance of healthcare professionals reviewing a patient's medication history and potential contraindications. They specifically address the complexity of medication access in dermatology, where numerous creams are available. To facilitate understanding and expedite the access process, Jerilyn Arneson suggests that patients request a printout of all their medications from the pharmacy during each visit.

This episode is special because Jerilyn shares how her military experience instilled self-discipline and self-responsibility, which has proven beneficial in their professional role. Jerilyn Arneson explains that the military constantly pushed them to go the extra mile and take the initiative rather than relying on others. This mindset of proactivity and personal accountability became ingrained during their time in the military and is invaluable in healthcare.

ADVERTISER:

PrescriberPoint is a FREE, AI-powered hub with resources to get patients on therapy, including prescribing information, insurance coverage, and prior authorization forms, with one click! Get started with a free profile at prescriberpoint.com/ThatsDermGood.

Jerilyn Arneson admits that she initially struggled to comprehend Medicare. As a medication access coordinator, Jerilyn found it challenging to differentiate between a Medicare Advantage plan, a Medicare supplement, and a Medigap. To gain a better understanding, Jerilyn decided to volunteer for senior services in southeastern Virginia for four hours a week.

Jerilyn Arneson received free training on 19 Medicare modules during this volunteer work. However, the most valuable part of the experience was the opportunity to train with certified Medicare benefits counselors for four hours a week. Jerilyn listened to these counselors as they assisted new Medicare patients in enrollment. Through this training and observation, Jerilyn gradually grasped Medicare better and realized the importance of breaking the information into manageable portions to make it accessible to everyone. Jerilyn’s current goal is to demystify Medicare and help others feel empowered to learn and understand it.

This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for small business owners.