Deprescribing requires vigilance
In my last blog I wrote about the little used practice of deprescribing and the benefits that accrue to patients and payers. As I was searching for my next blog topic I ran across an interesting study in the Journal…
Deprescribing – A strategy for bringing ROI to your MTM program
When people ask me why I founded a medication management company, I tell them the story of my friend Bob's mom. As Bob described his mom, she was a relatively health, ambulatory, 90 year old woman with initial signs of…
Medication Management for D-SNP Plans
From 2006 to 2017, while the number of Dual Special Needs Plans (DSNPs) has hovered in the 350 range, while the number of DSNP enrollees has increased from under 500,000 to over 2,000,000 members. As DSNP plans provide both Medicare…
MTMPath Adds New Features
MTMPath is THE pharmacist electronic health record - designed by pharmacists for pharmacists (Read about MTMPath's complete feature set here). Used by clinical pharmacists in all care environments - managed, ambulatory, community and long-term care. CSS is continuously working to…
5 STAR CMR Rates
In March of 2019 Coe, et. al. published - Patterns and predictors of older adult Medicare Part D beneficiaries’ receipt of medication therapy management(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1551741119308137). While the data is somewhat lagged (Medicare beneficiaries who were eligible, offered, and received a CMR…
The Case for Behavioral Health MTM
Earlier this month the Journal of the American Pharmacist Association published a comparison of medication therapy management (MTM) between Medicare beneficiaries with and without mental health conditions. The Study Design The study, Examining Medicare Part D Medication Therapy Management program…
2020 Part C and Part D STAR Measures
Late last year CMS published a Part C and D STAR measure fact sheet (https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prescription-Drug-Coverage/PrescriptionDrugCovGenIn/Downloads/2020-Star-Ratings-Fact-Sheet-.pdf). In this month's blog I present a few highlights that are especially pertinent to folks directing medication management and medication related quality improvement efforts. Background…
Comprehensive Medication Review – A Patient-Centric Effort
In 2017, the Comprehensive Medication Review (CMR) became a Medicare STAR measure. As with almost anything that is being measured and scrutinized, the CMR rate continuously and steadily increased and improved over time. From 2016 to 2019, the average CMR…
Value-Based Adherence Driving Landmark Results
Taking medications is a routine for most Americans. Almost 3 out of 5 American adults take at least one daily medication, and the proportion of people taking five or more prescription medications doubled from 2000 to 2012. However, it has…
MTM Program for Dual Eligible Populations
Recognizing the complex needs of the 10.8 million people estimated to be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid (“Dual-eligible” or “Duals”), CSS Health and Bridgewell Medical have partnered to develop and offer DualPath™, a Medication Therapy Management (MTM) program focused…