GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Medicare members now have the ability to control their out-of-pocket prescription costs through a free Medication Therapy Management program developed by Michigan health insurance provider, Priority Health.
The Medication Therapy Management program offers Priority Health Medicare members the opportunity to meet one-on-one with pharmacists to review all of their medications including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal and vitamin supplements. In the first year, 61 percent of members who took advantage of the program were able to identify a cost savings.
“This program serves as a perfect example of our commitment at Priority Health to improve the health and lives of the individuals we serve,” said Wayne Wilson, vice president of Medicare at Priority Health. “It not only ensures that all medications are safe and necessary, but it can create savings for our members when a prescription is no longer necessary or a generic alternative is available.”
According to the journal of American Medical Association nearly one-third of Americans ages 57 to 85 take at least five prescription drugs. Sixty-eight percent of Americans are also taking over-the-counter medicines or supplements. These combinations may lead to dangerous and often unmonitored interactions.
Through the Medication Therapy Management program pharmacists work with members to identify any drug-related problems such as duplications, drug interactions, and under- and over drug utilization. The pharmacist then works directly with the member’s physician to resolve any problems found with medications and to identify any potential cost savings.
Medication Therapy Management pharmacists work with pharmacies across Michigan including Walgreens, Meijer, Spartan Stores, Rite Aid, CVS, Wal-Mart and many independent pharmacies.
Participation in this innovative program is optional for members and is offered at no cost. Priority Health Medicare members who are interested in learning more about the Medication Therapy Management services can call the Priority Health pharmacy department at 800.466.6642.
About Priority Health:
Priority Health is an award-winning, Michigan-based non-profit health plan nationally recognized for improving the health and lives its members. It continues to lead the industry in engaging members in their health, delivering effective health and disease management programs and working with physicians to improve health care outcomes and performance. Priority Health is one of only 20 health plans nationwide with wellness programs accredited by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, an organization that also rated its plans among the best health plans in the nation. Priority Health was also named the benchmark plan, by the State of Michigan, for all individual and group plans to model.
Priority Health offers a broad portfolio of health benefit options for employer groups and individuals, including Medicare and Medicaid plans. Its network of health care providers features 95 percent of practicing physicians available in Michigan and more than 900,000 nationwide. For more information, visit priorityhealth.com.
