GNP opens annual meeting with education sessions highlighting CMS' Star measures
LAS VEGAS — Good Neighbor Pharmacy on Thursday reinforced its commitment to helping independent pharmacies enhance patient care by introducing programs focused on compliance and medication adherence. The first education sessions and initiatives took place today during the opening of ThoughtSpot 2014, Good Neighbor Pharmacy and AmerisourceBergen’s annual conference. Sessions around the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Star Measures were a highlight and helped pharmacists understand that quality outcomes are a driving force in the new healthcare environment, and that pharmacists have a critical new role to play with CMS’s new rating system.
“There is a shift in healthcare today to place emphasis on outcomes and quality. One of the biggest drivers of change is the increased focus from CMS to pay more for quality and value-based patient care,” stated AJ Caffentzis, president, community and specialty pharmacy. “Independent pharmacies are uniquely positioned to excel in the new quality paradigm by leveraging their close ties with the communities they operate in and with the customers that seek advice and counsel. The personalized service already offered by community pharmacists can be a springboard to perform well in a system focused on adherence and compliance.”
This year’s CMS Star Measures education initiative culminated with a session led by Star Measures expert, community pharmacy owner and Good Neighbor Pharmacy member, Tripp Logan. The ThoughtSpot session was the last in a three-part educational series for AmerisourceBergen customers which began in January 2014. Throughout the series, pharmacists received education, tools and advice for how to view CMS Star Measures as a business opportunity and enhance patient outcomes.
More than 70% of Good Neighbor Pharmacy Provider Network locations are helping health plans achieve three stars or better on adherence, according to data from EQuIPP, an innovative performance management platform.