S26--Charting the Course: Tackling the Challenges of Healthcare Accessibility

Saturday, October 25, 2025

10:15 AM - 12:15 PM PDT

Location:431-432

Chair(s)

Kirby Smith, CPhT Adv CHW

University of Missouri
BO

Brian O'Sullivan, MD

Geisel School of Medicine

Accessibility to healthcare can often be a leading factor to the overall health of our patients Whether it’s finding a plan that is in-network with their CF Center, having affordable co-pays on their prescriptions, having the appropriate medical equipment for treatments, or having reliable transportation to their appointments. In this symposium we will discuss some of the major contributors to accessibility including insurance, benefit managers, updates to health insurance laws, and assessing social determinants of health (SDoH).

Learning Objectives:

Summarize primary types of insurance. Identify and examine significant insurance issues across all ages. Discuss insurance transition; across types, across payors, from parent’s coverage to individual plan, etc.
Compare different types of pharmacy benefit managers, identify changes and updates in health insurance laws, and assess how they affect patients.
Illustrate how social determinants of health impact patients. Discuss ways to assess SDoH and how to address issues to improve accessibility in patient populations.

Presentations:

10:15 AM - 12:15 PM PDT

S26.1- Navigating the Complexities of Healthcare Insurance for Cystic Fibrosis
Speaker: Olivia Dieni, MPH – CF Foundation
10:15 AM - 12:15 PM PDT

S26.2- Understanding the Process: How PBMs Affect Your Medication Accessibility
Speaker: John Watkins
10:15 AM - 12:15 PM PDT

S26.3- The Future of Healthcare Insurance: Trends and Updates
Speaker: Theresa Alban, JD, MPH – Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
10:15 AM - 12:15 PM PDT

S26.4- Transforming Healthcare: The Role of SDoH Assessment
Speaker: Kirby Smith, CPhT Adv CHW – University of Missouri