INNOVATIVE PRACTICE FORM

Name Ron Pate
Address 2121 Helton Dr. Florence, Al
Phone # (205) 764-4474

Briefly describe innovation

Ron Pate has started a compliance management program in his pharmacy. Using the CarePoint Systems out of South Carolina he has set up a store which specializes in pharmaceutical care. The pharmacists do not answer the phone, put profile information into the computer, or count and dispense any medications. Pharmacists stand at the front counter near the register and counsel each patient on the medications he/she receives each visit. There are two areas in which the patient may be counseled at the time a prescription is filled__A brief session can be held near the register or if the patient prefers privacy or a more comprehensive session, a private area near the front of the store is available. When refills are due, the pharmacy technicians call the patients seven to ten days before to remind them to come in. The pharmacy also offers counseling services after hours by appointment. This session last for an hour and the patient brings in all medications he/she is currently taking, including prescription drugs from any pharmacy and OTC items. The pharmacist will go through each item and explain its use and how it will or will not benefit that particular patient. These sessions can be done as often as the patient likes, or a plan has been set up that offers a year of counseling for a set fee. The patient may then may an appointment every month, every three months, or every six months. Ron's pharmacy specializes in asthma counseling. The patient is shown the correct way to use an inhaler, establish his/her best peak flow meter and the pharmacist discusses trigger points with_ the patient. They are now able to predict an asthma attack a week to two weeks before it happens. All of this information plus the patient's drug regiment and stage of asthma is recorded in a computer program supplied by CarePoint. The pharmacy has the cooperation of local physicians in regulating treatment. Ron Pate also specializes in migraine counseling. In the future, the pharmacy plans to add hypertension and diabetes counseling.

Method of Reimbursement

Payor(s) Third party insurance companies and patients.  The pharmacy is working to get Medicare to pay for intervention counseling. Reimbursement rate $60/hr., $300/year

Is documentation required? Yes

The pharmacist uses the CarePoint computer system which has special programs designed for monitoring patients and the pharmacist can bill third party insurance through it.

Specialized training required? Yes

Ron Pate was trained by CarePoint Pharmaceutical Care Services in an accredited CE program. It involved twenty-two hours of training which took place in Atlanta, Georgia.

Software/instrumentation required? Yes The pharmacy uses the software provided by the CarePoint Pharmaceutical Care Services, CognaCare.

Interviewed by: Amy Reyer