Content about Healthcare in the United States

March 8, 2013

A bill that would expand the pool of patients who qualify for medication therapy management under Medicare was introduced to the House of Representatives Thursday with broad industry support.

WASHINGTON — A bill that would expand the pool of patients who qualify for medication therapy management under Medicare was introduced to the House of Representatives Thursday with broad industry support.

Health policy research group NEHI cites that only 50% of patients take their medications properly as prescribed by their doctor, which costs the nation more than $290 billion annually in avoidable health spending annually.

March 8, 2013

OutcomesMTM helping MTM outcomes matter

OutcomesMTM, a medication therapy management delivery system, last week recognized its top chain and independent pharmacies for 2012. Walgreens and Kerr Drug were named top large pharmacy chain and top regional pharmacy chain, respectively.

MTM matters, and people are keeping score. And it's something you can expect to see more of in the age of accountable care and star-based quality ratings.

March 5, 2013

OutcomesMTM names top pharmacy-based MTM centers across the country

OutcomesMTM, a medication therapy management delivery system, on Tuesday recognized its top chain and independent pharmacies for 2012.

DES MOINES, Iowa — OutcomesMTM, a medication therapy management delivery system, on Tuesday recognized its top chain and independent pharmacies for 2012. Walgreens and Kerr Drug were named top large pharmacy chain and top regional pharmacy chain, respectively.

March 5, 2013

Six healthcare information technology companies create CommonWell Health Alliance

A number of pharma companies joined Monday on the launch of the CommonWell Health Alliance to better enable seamless access to healthcare data.

NEW ORLEANS — A number of pharma companies joined Monday on the launch of the CommonWell Health Alliance to better enable seamless access to healthcare data.

March 4, 2013

NCPA submits comments to CMS over wide range of issues

The National Community Pharmacists Association submitted written comments urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to take action on a wide range of what NCPA characterizes as "anti-patient, anti-pharmacist practices," the association announced.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Friday submitted written comments urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to take action on a wide range of what NCPA characterizes as "anti-patient, anti-pharmacist practices," the association announced.

March 4, 2013

Reports: Doctors to serve as medical directors for two N.Y. MinuteClinic locations

A hospital system on Long Island in New York state has a partnership with CVS' MinuteClinic, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — A hospital system on Long Island in New York state has a partnership with CVS' MinuteClinic, according to published reports.

March 1, 2013

NACDS touts MTM in response to CMS call letter

Every year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issues a "call letter" to lay out various policies and requirements for the coming program year within the Medicare program.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Every year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issues a "call letter" to lay out various policies and requirements for the coming program year within the Medicare program.

February 28, 2013

Senate hearing looks at delivery system reform

Medicare and Medicaid are working with the private sector to create a roadmap for the future of healthcare delivery, and a congressional hearing was convened Thursday to ensure it does that.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Medicare and Medicaid are working with the private sector to create a roadmap for the future of healthcare delivery, and a congressional hearing was convened Thursday to ensure it does that.

The Senate Finance Committee hearing, titled "Delivery System Reform: Progress Report from CMS," included Sens. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.

February 27, 2013

MinuteClinic signs clinical affiliation with North Shore-LIJ Health System

MinuteClinic, the retail healthcare division of CVS Caremark and North Shore-LIJ Health System, one of the nation's largest healthcare providers, have signed a clinical collaboration to enhance access to high-quality healthcare services in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the boroughs of Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island.

GREAT NECK, N.Y. — MinuteClinic, the retail healthcare division of CVS Caremark and North Shore-LIJ Health System (North Shore-LIJ), one of the nation's largest healthcare providers, have signed a clinical collaboration to enhance access to high-quality healthcare services in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the boroughs of Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island.

February 26, 2013

Merlo touts advances in pharmacy care at Pittsburgh luncheon

CVS Caremark president and CEO Larry Merlo presented a $50,000 check Tuesday to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center before attending a luncheon sponsored by the Economic Club of Pittsburgh.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark president and CEO Larry Merlo presented a $50,000 check Tuesday to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center before attending a luncheon sponsored by the Economic Club of Pittsburgh.

February 25, 2013

APhA survey finds growing demand for MTM services

The American Pharmacists Association has released the latest edition of a publication for pharmacists who provide medication therapy management services, the professional group said.

WASHINGTON — The American Pharmacists Association has released the latest edition of a publication for pharmacists who provide medication therapy management services, the professional group said Monday.

February 22, 2013

Innovative pharmacy services promote improved patient care, life quality, NACDS head writes

The head of a trade organization for retail pharmacies critiqued the conclusions of an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal that cast doubt on some of the potential benefits of accountable care organizations.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The head of a trade organization for retail pharmacies critiqued the conclusions of an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal that cast doubt on some of the potential benefits of accountable care organizations.

February 15, 2013

Elimination of Saturday mail delivery could complicate mail-order business

Eighty-eight members of the House of Representatives fired off a letter Monday to postmaster general and CEO of the U.S. Postal Service Patrick Donahoe urging the agency not to eliminate Saturday delivery of mail, saying it would impede the ability of people who depend on mail-order pharmacies to receive their medications.

It's no secret that the retail pharmacy industry and pharmacy benefit managers don't always see eye-to-eye, with the latter being the main provider of mail-order pharmacy services in the country and often touting them as an alternative to going to the drug store, while the former emphasize the face-to-face interaction with pharmacists not usually possible with mail-order. But between the back-and-forth, millions of patients still depend on mail order pharmacy, and the cost effectiveness that mail-order pharmacies frequently promote themselves as offering could be at risk if they must use more expensive delivery methods.

February 13, 2013

Nearly 90 representatives call on USPS to preserve Saturday delivery of medications

More than seven dozen members of the House of Representatives are urging the U.S. Postal Service to continue delivering medications to all Americans six days a week.

WASHINGTON — More than seven dozen members of the House of Representatives are urging the U.S. Postal Service to continue delivering medications to all Americans six days a week.

February 11, 2013

60 accountable care organizations form association

Organizations representing more than 60 accountable care organizations from more than 15 states have come together to form the National Association of ACOs, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization that allows ACOs to work together to increase quality of care, lower costs and improve the health of their communities.

WASHINGTON — Organizations representing more than 60 accountable care organizations from more than 15 states have come together to form the National Association of ACOs, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization that allows ACOs to work together to increase quality of care, lower costs and improve the health of their communities. Membership is expected to exceed 100 ACOs by April, representing more than 2 million Medicare assigned beneficiaries.

February 11, 2013

Walgreens Infusion Services saves $850,000 in three-month period

Home nutrition support team interventions improved patient care and potentially prevented an estimated 429 hospital days over a three-month period, at a cost savings of more than $850,000, according to new data presented by Walgreens Infusion Services at the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Clinical Nutrition Week meeting Monday in Phoenix.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Home nutrition support team interventions improved patient care and potentially prevented an estimated 429 hospital days over a three-month period, at a cost savings of more than $850,000, according to new data presented by Walgreens Infusion Services at the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Clinical Nutrition Week meeting Monday in Phoenix.

February 7, 2013

CMS study further proof community pharmacy can improve patients' lives, says NACDS

National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and CEO Steve Anderson, calls a new study by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services “further proof of community pharmacy’s ability to improve patients’ lives while making healthcare more affordable in this country.”

ARLINGTON, Va. — National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) president and CEO Steve Anderson, calls a new study by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) “further proof of community pharmacy’s ability to improve patients’ lives while making healthcare more affordable in this country.”

February 6, 2013

CVS Caremark pulls lid off Brazilian bombshell, posts 'strong' Q4

CVS Caremark executives expressed optimism Wednesday morning as the company posted record fourth-quarter results, raised its 2013 guidance and continues to work to leverage its distinctive business model to help people on their path to better health amid a rapidly changing healthcare environment.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark executives expressed optimism Wednesday morning as the company posted record fourth-quarter results, raised its 2013 guidance and continues to work to leverage its distinctive business model to help people on their path to better health amid a rapidly changing healthcare environment.

February 5, 2013

CVS promotes heart health

CVS Caremark is marking American Heart Month by encouraging heart-healthy behavior in February, the company said Tuesday.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark is marking American Heart Month by encouraging heart-healthy behavior in February, the company said Tuesday.

February 4, 2013

NACDS, NCPA urge expanded role for pharmacists in new healthcare models

Pharmacy groups are advocating that Congress expand the role of pharmacists in new healthcare delivery models.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Pharmacy groups are advocating that Congress expand the role of pharmacists in new healthcare delivery models.

February 1, 2013

MTM improves outcomes in diabetes patients, study finds

Face-to-face medication therapy management services can improve health outcomes for patients with diabetes, according to a new study.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Face-to-face medication therapy management services can improve health outcomes for patients with diabetes, according to a new study.

February 1, 2013

Pharmacists can improve health outcomes

A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota and nearby healthcare institutions shows that patients with diabetes experience better outcomes when they undergo face-to-face medication therapy management sessions with pharmacists.

Drug Store News has reported enough about the benefits of MTM to fill a book, but a scientific study showing a demonstrable benefit to it only makes the case stronger. It speaks to the growing role of the pharmacist as a key member of the patient's healthcare team, every bit as important as nurses and doctors, and also points to a role of growing importance to pharmacy retailers themselves as they seek to distinguish themselves in the marketplace.

February 1, 2013

Take Care Health Systems, Community Health Network further illustrates growing role of clinics

Take Care Health Systems, which is owned by Walgreens, has formed a clinical collaboration with Community Health Network to improve access to care for patients throughout central Indiana.

Such collaborations are not only important for improved access to healthcare services by patients, but it also illustrate the growing role that they play within the healthcare system and the acceptance of such clinics among the medical community.

January 30, 2013

Study: Thrifty White's Medication Synchronization Program improves Rx adherence

Regional player Thrifty White Pharmacy, which operates 90 pharmacies in the upper Midwest, is working to enroll patients in its Medication Synchronization Program as a recent study conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University found that those patients taking their medications correctly with the program are more likely to stay well, make fewer clinic visits and require fewer hospitalizations, thus reducing overall healthcare spending.

PLYMOUTH, Minn. — Regional player Thrifty White Pharmacy, which operates 90 pharmacies in the upper Midwest, is working to enroll patients in its Medication Synchronization Program as a recent study conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University found that those patients taking their medications correctly with the program are more likely to stay well, make fewer clinic visits and require fewer hospitalizations, thus reducing overall healthcare spending.

January 24, 2013

MinuteClinic, Barnabas Health in New Jersey ink clinical collaboration

CVS Caremark’s MinuteClinic and Barnabas Health in New Jersey have signed a clinical collaboration to enhance access to healthcare services in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. and WEST ORANGE, N.J. — CVS Caremark’s MinuteClinic and Barnabas Health in New Jersey have signed a clinical collaboration to enhance access to healthcare services in Monmouth and Ocean counties.