|
Update on Launch of Pharmacists’ Professional Services
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ontario Pharmacy Council and the Ontario Pharmacists’ Association launched Meds Check, a medication review program, as the first professional service available under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program that began April 1, 2007.
The Meds Check program details, billing guidelines and suggested practice tools can be found by clicking HERE and at the ministry’s website www.health.gov.on.ca. The professional services guidebook has been mailed to pharmacies today.
In a letter to pharmacists released March 27, the Executive Officer of the Ontario Public Drug Programs stated that the Ministry of Health recognizes there are costs associated with the implementation of professional services. The Executive Officer indicated that as part of the government’s commitment to ensure pharmacists are successfully able to provide this service under Meds Check, the ministry will provide a one-time payment of $1,000 to pharmacies once they have initiated the service to support pharmacists in the transition. The Executive Officer stated that this payment may be used to offset some expenses associated with the implementation of professional services, such as the development of customized materials or time required to familiarize staff with procedures and documentation. The Executive Officer specified that the payment will be included in one of the regular ministry payments.
To inform and support pharmacists and assist with the implementation of the professional services initiative, OPA hosted a series of information sessions throughout the province during the weeks of April 9 and April 16. These sessions provided an explanation of the guidebook, instructions on how to implement professional services in your pharmacy, and provide direction to other resources available to assist you.
OPA is also pleased to announce the launch of OntarioRPh.ca on April 1, 2007. This website will serve as OPA’s main portal of information on professional services including the guidebook, protocols, resource tools and more. Visit www.ontariorph.ca starting April 1.
For further information or assistance, please contact OPA’s member hotline at 416-441-0788 / 877-341-0788 or email professionalservices@opatoday.com
Professional services Overview:
 What is the professional service?
The initial professional service will be a medication review for ODB patients who are taking 3 or more prescription medications.
How will pharmacists bill for the professional service?
Pharmacists will bill for the service through the existing ODB claims submission process. No software system changes will be required.
How much will pharmacists be compensated for providing this service?
Pharmacists will be reimbursed $50.00 for each completed medication review. It is estimated that the review should take approximately twenty to thirty minutes to complete.
Professional services will be phased in over the coming months:
Phase 1, beginning April 1, compensates pharmacists for providing Medication Reviews.
Through one-on-one interactions, community pharmacists may provide their patients with a Medication Review service to help them better understand their medication therapy and ensure that medications are being taken as prescribed. The Medication Review is a service provided by community pharmacists, with the goal of maximizing patient adherence to drug therapy.
The ODB Program will pay pharmacies $50.00 for the provision of a Medication Review service to ODB-eligible recipients who are taking three or more prescription medications. The service must be provided in a one-on-one interview with the patient to qualify for payment through ODB.
Details of the Medication Review program, including the protocol, billing and claim payment procedures, will be provided in a Professional Services Guide from the ministry to pharmacies by April 1.
Phase 2, compensates pharmacists for providing more in-depth Medication Consultation services.
In Phase 2, which is currently under development, pharmacists may provide their patients with a more in-depth Medication Consultation service. Designed to address more complex medication-related issues, the goal of this service will be to optimize patient drug therapy regimens. The Medication Consultation service will integrate collaboration with other healthcare providers. As part of Phase 2, the ministry will recognize other sectors of pharmacy practice (i.e. long-term care and hospital outpatient) for the provision of Medication Consultation services.
Background
OPA has long advocated an enhanced role for pharmacists in front-line health care. Our long-term strategic plan addresses pharmacists’ professional services as one of four pillars for the future of the pharmacy profession in Ontario. The plan recognizes that policy makers in Canada and internationally seek to address the under-utilization of pharmacists in health care systems. Pharmacists are critical to the sustainability of the system through ensuring the appropriate use of medications and optimizing health outcomes, and delivering programs in areas such as chronic disease management, wellness and patient self-management.
The Ontario government shares OPA’s belief in the role of pharmacists as part of an integrated team that provides an enhanced level of care for patients. The Transparent Drug System for Patients Act (TDSPA) that took effect October 1, 2006, includes a landmark decision to recognize the valuable role of pharmacists by compensating them for professional services. The initial allocation for the program is $50 million in 2007-08.
OPA supports Ontario’s approach to health care reform and is committed to working with government and other stakeholders to ensure pharmacists are integrated into the practice and governance models and delivery mechanisms required to realize this vision.
The collaboration of OPA, the Pharmacy Council and the government around professional services supports an important component of the government’s health transformation agenda, emphasizing the improvement of patient health outcomes as a priority for the government as well as for pharmacists, and underscores the value of pharmacy and the work performed by pharmacists.
OPA recognizes the significant challenges currently faced by pharmacists and pharmacy with the ongoing implementation of the TDSPA in relation to the launch of pharmacists’ professional services. As we continue to pursue resolutions of the outstanding issues, we urge pharmacists to recognize and respond to the opportunities presented by the professional services initiative. OPA’s position is that professional services are an important new health service that may only be delivered by pharmacists through sustainable pharmacy enterprises that are both an important component of the health system and a vital part of the economic fabric in communities across Ontario.
Medication Review Program Highlights
Phase 1 of the Pharmacists’ Professional Services Program begins April 1, 2007. It compensates pharmacists for providing Medication Reviews to ODB-eligible patients.
The ODB Program will pay pharmacies $50.00 for the provision of a Medication Review service to ODB-eligible recipients who are taking three or more prescription medications. The service must be provided in a one-on-one interview with the patient to qualify for payment through ODB.
The results of the Medication Review, including a comprehensive medication list and recommended action, will be shared with the patient/caregiver and, when appropriate, with their physician and/or primary healthcare provider.
Any resulting recommendation for change in therapy remains at the discretion of the patient’s doctor.
The Ontario College of Pharmacists defines in its Standards of Practice the expected functions of a pharmacist specifically with respect to the dispensing of medications. These functions are to be part of every pharmacist’s daily activities and are considered compensated for by the usual and customary dispensing fee. This program is not intended to compensate pharmacists for these functions. In order for the service to qualify for payment, the process outlined must be followed in a one-on-one interview with the patient.
Forthcoming Information – What to Expect
The ministry will provide details of the Phase 1 Medication Review program, including the procedures, billing and claim payment procedures, in a Professional Services Guide to be supplied to pharmacies by April 1. The Guide and related materials and supports will be available on the ministry and OPA web sites.
The Professional Services Guide will provide an outline of the Medication Review program including patients who are eligible, tips on how to conduct patient interviews, how to conduct assessment and follow-up, how to document the Medication Review service, and how to submit claims for payme
OPA will provide information to pharmacists as it becomes available. District-based Professional Services information sessions will be conducted shortly to provide information directly to pharmacists across Ontario.
|
LATEST:
