Healthy Skepticism Library item: 8961

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Nicholas A, Divine H, Nowak-Rapp M, Roberts KB.
University and college of pharmacy collaboration to control health plan prescription drug costs.
J Am Pharm Assoc (Wash DC) 2007 Jan-Feb; 47:(1):86-92
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17338480&query_hl=5&itool=pubmed_DocSum

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To describe the Raising Energy and Awareness in Campus Health (REACH) program, an innovative pharmacy practice model implemented within a self-insured employer.

SETTING: University of Kentucky, Lexington.

PRACTICE DESCRIPTION: A self-funded university-based health plan.

PRACTICE INNOVATION/INTERVENTIONS: As part of a university-wide effort to control rising health care costs for 24,000 employees and dependents, four novel pharmacist services encompassed in the REACH program were provided: Co-Pay Counseling; Good Medicines; OutREACH; and Disease Management and Health Promotion.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: University health plan expenditures and health plan member out-of-pocket expenses for prescription medications.

RESULTS: The REACH services were provided by 3.5 full-time equivalent pharmacists. Pharmacists evaluated health plan members’ medications and conditions in an effort to identify more cost-effective treatment regimens in the Co-Pay Counseling program; provided confidential medication regimen review in the Good Medicines effort; provided informational programs at worksites within the university in the Out-REACH service; and worked with plan members and their health providers to prevent and/or minimize the impact of diseases such as diabetes and dyslipidemias. The overall university program and medication coinsurance strategy saved an estimated 1.6 million dollars in 2003-04.

CONCLUSION: This unique package of employee benefits and services enabled the University of Kentucky to slow the growth of health care expenditures. Pharmacists were an important element in this effort.

Keywords:
Publication Types: Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH Terms: Cost Control/organization & administration* Counseling Fees, Pharmaceutical Humans Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services/economics* Prescriptions, Drug/economics* Professional Practice Schools, Pharmacy/organization & administration Student Health Services/organization & administration