Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Plays a Critical Role in Improving Patient Outcomes and Reducing Healthcare Costs

If ACOs are guided to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs (unnecessary readmissions, treatment complications, etc) the pharmacists’ provision of MTM is a vital component.

What is Medication Therapy Management?

MTM is an emerging, personalized appointment service provided by pharmacists that optimizes therapeutic outcomes for individual patients. These services may include (but are not limited to) medication review for drug interactions, drug duplication, costs/ incorporation of generics, communication and review with the primary care provider for recommended treatment adjustments; and personalized patient education to ensure proper use.

Why should ACOs incorporate MTM services into their care model?

Experts estimate that in the United States 1.5 MILLION preventable, adverse medication-related events occur each year that result in $177 BILLION in injury and death.  (American Pharmacists Association)

What are the Benefits to the Patient?

• One-on-one time allows the pharmacist to fully analyze patients’ current medication therapy, including OTC medications and vitamin/herbal supplements.
• Patients gain valuable knowledge about their medication therapy and learn to take an active role in optimizing the success of their treatment.
• Careful analysis of patients’ medication therapy allows the pharmacist to monitor for drug-drug, drug-disease, and drug-food interactions
• Cost analyses are performed to ensure patients are treated in the most cost-effective way.
• Dosing regimens are reviewed to increase dosing convenience (which could improve adherence)
• Drug review can reduce patient discomfort and increase quality of life (patient satisfaction)

Who is Currently Eligible to Receive MTM Services?

MTM is a CMS provision requirement for some Medicare Part D recipients (Medicare’s Prescription Drug Plan) reimbursed by the Part D insurer.  Certain patient criteria must be met for the service to kick in, and patients are notified that they are eligible.  Patients can refuse the service (probably the ones who need it most).  Some non-Part D Insurance providers cover MTM, but many do not.

Who benefits the MOST from an MTM program?

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