Transitional care management services: optimizing medication reconciliation to improve the care of older adults

Recent establishment of Transitional Care Management (TCM) services by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services demonstrates the shift in emphasis toward interventions that reduce hospital and emergency department utilization. Older adults are especially vulnerable during these transitions in care due to the increased risk of medication-related problems. Thorough medication reconciliation can preemptively identify potential medication-related problems such as medication errors, high-risk medications, and adverse effects.