DES MOINES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Industry thought leaders today detailed the important role local pharmacists are assuming in coordinated care models during the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) Educational Conference in Atlanta. Through innovative Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services, pharmacists are collaborating with physicians, nurses and others health care providers to close key therapy gaps and optimize patient care.
“Since launching the MTM program in early 2009, we have seen many benefits of involving local pharmacists as key members of the health care team,” said Gayle Dichter, Director of Pharmacy at Senior Whole Health. “Pharmacists bring a unique perspective to patient care and, through MTM services, they are able to efficiently and successfully interact with our members and Senior Whole Health clinical staff.”
While the Senior Whole Health program has been in place for over two years, the CareFirst BCBS “medical home” program covering over 1.1 million members was launched in August 2011. Both health plans work with Outcomes Pharmaceutical Health Care® to address medication non-adherence, a problem described by the New England Healthcare Institute (NEHI) as costing the U.S. health care system an estimated $290 billion in avoidable medical spending every year.
Outcomes identifies medication treatment gaps and works with local pharmacists and prescribers to close these gaps, reducing drug costs and improving adherence. CareFirst BCBS and Senior Whole Health are two of over 30 US health plans that have adopted the Outcomes unified MTM platform which connects such plans with 40,000 chain, independent, consultant and health-system pharmacy providers across the country.
Outcomes Pharmaceutical Health Care is the national leader in the design, delivery, and administration of Medication Therapy Management programs. The company’s service line benefits health care purchasers by delivering a cost effective approach to advancing patient care and controlling utilization through the provision of patient-friendly, face-to-face personal pharmacist services. The company is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa and may be found online at www.getoutcomes.com.
To schedule an interview on this topic, please contact Steve Berry at 877.237.0050 or sberry@getoutcomes.com.