To identify and close various gaps in care, pharmacists engaged with members telephonically through the Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Program to complete a comprehensive medication review (CMR), according to findings presented at AMCP 2022.

Researchers completed a 6- and 12-month cross-sectional analysis to compare pre and post medical, pharmacy, and total health care utilization with the Medicare spend of members enrolled in a MTM program. The CMR completion date was used as the index date and for the identified members claims data were extracted, according to study authors.

The 6-month analysis included 159 distinct members, while the 12-month analysis included 157 distinct members after applying the enrollment proxy. According to study authors, a .68% reduction in pharmacy spend ($19.25 per eligible member per month [PEMPM]) and 1.57% ($45.68 PEMPM) reduction in overall health care spend was examined in the 6-month analysis.

“Additionally, there was a 26.6% ($26.43 PEMPM) reduction in medical spend driven by an 11.1% reduction in utilization of inpatient visits per thousand members per month (decreased from 18.9 to 16.8 when comparing the pre and post periods respectively) and a 34.5% reduction in utilization of ER visits per thousand members per month (30.4 to 19.9),” wrote researchers.

A 16.2% ($452.55 PEMPM) reduction in pharmacy spend driven by a 7.2% reduction in overall utilization was noted in the 12-month analysis as well as a 1.4% increase in generic utilization 5.5% decrease in the average number of unique medications per member.

Researchers reported an 8.6% reduction in utilization of inpatient visits per thousand members per month (36.1 to 33.4), which drove a 13.2% ($10.51 PEMPM) reduction in medical spend. There was an overall health care spend reduction of 16.1% ($463.06 PEMPM).

“Comprehensive medication reviews and active clinical engagement are both important tools that can improve clinical outcomes and reduce total cost of care,” concluded study authors.

Reference:
Makanji S, DiMaio M, Brown-Gentry K, Hunter B. Impact of a high-touch medication therapy management program on total cost of care. Poster presented at: AMCP 2022; March 29-April 1, 2022; Chicago, IL.