It is exciting that more and more employers and payers are stepping up and paying for, or offering MTM services as part of their employee or member benefit package. The list includes many recognizable names, including Fortune 500 companies like General Mills, the Federal Employee Program, Fairview-University Health System, government sponsored programs like Medicare and 15 state Medicaid programs are just some examples of payers who cover comprehensive medication management services.
I find it ironic, however, that many organizations which employ or support pharmacists providing MTM services have not yet stepped up to the plate to pay for this service for their own employees. Imagine how the landscape of payers would change if Walgreens, Wal-Mart, CVS/Caremark, Rite-Aid, or United Health Group covered medication therapy management services for their own employees. These organizations employ thousands of people and tens-of-thousands of pharmacists. It only makes sense that if these organizations promote the delivery of MTM services to others, then they should offer MTM services as a benefit to their own employees.
All patients deserve the right to appropriate, effective, safe and convenient drug therapy. And, unless this is assured, then the dollars spent on all the other medical services and benefits are potentially being wasted. This should be obvious to those organizations offering medication management services – so it is time for them to step up, don’t you agree?
Leave a comment...