National MTM Advisory Board Releases Position Paper on Long-Term Care Services

Industry Leaders Define Expectations for Comprehensive Medication Reviews

DES MOINES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Comprised of payor, provider and consumer representatives from the Medication Therapy Management (MTM) industry, the National MTM Advisory Board has released a “Position Paper on Comprehensive Medication Reviews (CMRs) in Long-Term Care (LTC).” Beginning in 2013, at least annually, Medicare Part D plan sponsors must offer a Comprehensive Medication Review (CMR) to all beneficiaries enrolled in Medication Therapy Management (MTM) programs, including beneficiaries in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes. Prior to 2013, LTC beneficiaries were exempt from this Medicare requirement.

“It is critical that the full value of the Comprehensive Medication Review be realized”

The National MTM Advisory Board sought to clearly differentiate the CMR from already-established services in the LTC setting.

“It is critical that the full value of the Comprehensive Medication Review be realized,” said Erica Clark, PharmD, Senior Clinical Pharmacy Manager, Priority Health. “This is an opportunity to provide an enhanced level of care for these patients, rather than to duplicate existing medication regimen review services.”

In the position paper, the National MTM Advisory Board emphasizes that the CMR should be interactive, person-to-person and conducted in real-time with the patient and/or other authorized individual. Optimally, the Comprehensive Medication Review should occur as a face-to-face interaction between the patient and the pharmacist. In addition, the CMR service should result in a “Medication Action Plan,” utilizing a standardized format.

“Telephonic and email communication does not allow face-to-face interaction during which you can assess the patient’s level of understanding,” said Joel V. Brill, MD, AGAF, CHCQM, Chief Medical Officer, Predictive Health, LLC. “Face-to-face services, whether in-person or via clinician-interactive telemedicine, appears to be the optimal way to serve patients with chronic conditions and multiple co-morbidities who would benefit from a CMR.”

The National MTM Advisory Board recommends the patient as the patient as the primary recipient of the service, with a hierarchy for potential other recipients, should the patient be unable to participate. The board reiterated its support for the consensus CMR Definition that was initially developed and announced in 2011.

The full “National MTM Advisory Board Position Paper on Comprehensive Medication Reviews in Long-Term Care” is available at www.outcomesmtm.com.

Members of the National MTM Advisory Board include:

• Winston Wong, PharmD, Associate Vice President of Pharmacy Management, CareFirst BCBS
• Wendy Simenson, RPh, Owner/Pharmacist, Kemper Drug
• Mark Gregory, RPh, Vice President Pharmacy and Government Relations, Kerr Drug
• Susan L. Leong, RPh, Pharmacy and Formulary Director, LA Care Health Plan
• Justin M. Weiss, PharmD, Senior Director of Pharmacy Services, Medica Health Plan
• Rebecca Burkholder, Vice President of Health Policy, National Consumers League
• Paul von Ebers, President and Chief Executive Officer, Noridian Mutual Insurance Company
• Joel V. Brill, MD AGAF CHCQM, Chief Medical Officer, Predictive Health, LLC
• David Lassen, PharmD, Chief Clinical Officer, Prime Therapeutics
• Erica Clark, PharmD, Senior Clinical Pharmacy Manager, Priority Health
• Twila Johnson, PharmD, Director of Pharmacy, Security Health Plan
• Gayle C. Dichter, RPh, MBA, Director of Pharmacy, Senior Whole Health
• Anthony Provenzano, PharmD, Director of Clinical Programs, SUPERVALU
• Jay Nadas, PharmD, Director of Retail Clinical Pharmacy Programs, Walgreens
• Jonathan Marquess, PharmD, CDE, CPT Owner/Pharmacist, Woodstock Pharmacy
• Patty Kumbera, RPh, Chief Operating Officer, OutcomesMTM

Formed in 2010, the National MTM Advisory Board meets regularly to discuss and provide direction within the MTM industry. OutcomesMTM provides administrative support to the board.

About OutcomesMTM
OutcomesMTM 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 Personal Pharmacist™ services, which advance the Face-to-Face Difference™.