Future of medication therapy management services in delivering patient-centered care

Abstract

Purpose: The scope of medication therapy management services (MTMS) is defined, opportunities for pharmacists to influence change in the pharmacy profession by embracing MTMS, current challenges in providing MTMS, possible solutions to these challenges, and the tipping point that MTMS represents to the pharmacy profession are discussed.

Summary: Pharmacist services include a spectrum of activities involving face-to-face interaction between a pharmacist and a patient to improve health outcomes, and MTMS is at the high end of this spectrum. MTMS can be provided to fee-for-service and managed care patients as well as to Medicare Part D enrollees. The pharmacy profession faces challenges in implementing MTMS, including inadequate pharmacist participation in and documentation of the value of MTMS. Developing practice models to increase pharmacist participation and participating in demonstration projects to document the value of MTMS are among the possible solutions to these challenges. The profession is poised for a radical change in practice because of growing recognition of the value of MTMS.

Conclusion: Provision of MTMS involves a patient-centered model for delivery of care. Demonstrating the value of MTMS to payers is among several strategies for effecting change in the pharmacy profession and improving patient outcomes.