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Payers' Perspectives on Pharmacist-Directed Care in a Community Pharmacy Setting
Bradley S Merrill1, Casey R Tak2, Michael Feehan3
11 University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|March 22, 2019
Summary
Payers are likely to reimburse for pharmacist-provided clinical services in community pharmacies. This indicates a financially viable model for expanding advanced pharmacy practice and improving patient care.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Pharmacy Practice
- Health Economics
Background:
- US healthcare spending is rising without commensurate health outcome improvements.
- Pharmacists are well-positioned to offer high-quality care.
- Limited data exists on payer perspectives regarding reimbursement for community-based pharmacist clinical services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess payer attitudes towards insurance reimbursement for pharmacist-provided advanced clinical services delivered in community settings.
- To understand payer preferences and perceived impact of these services.
Main Methods:
- A 15-minute online survey was conducted.
- The survey targeted 50 payers from diverse US organizations.
- Data collected included payer preferences and attitudes regarding community pharmacy clinical services.
Main Results:
- A majority of payers (66%) indicated likely or very likely reimbursement for pharmacist-provided clinical services.
- Payers expressed positive views on pharmacists' competency and trustworthiness in providing health and medication information.
- Payers generally agreed that more clinical services should be available in community pharmacies.
Conclusions:
- Payer attitudes towards advanced clinical practice by pharmacists in community settings are largely positive.
- The findings suggest that expanding advanced clinical services in community pharmacies is a financially viable model.
- Pharmacists' role in providing health and medication information is highly valued by payers.