Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/59015
Rx and Specialty 30 Providers BY THERESA FLAHERTY, Managing Editor HEN BRUCE Roberts opened his first phar- macy in 1976, pharma- cists played a much larger role in the lives of patients. In the decades since, he has seen medication gradually become the centerpiece of what they do. That's something Roberts, former executive vice president and CEO of the Nation- al Community Pharmacists Asso- ciation (NCPA) wants to change. In February, he launched RxAlly, a member network that seeks to help pharmacists improve patient health and reduce healthcare costs. Roberts spoke with HME News recently about his plans Bruce Roberts for the network. HME NEWS: Why did you launch RxAlly? Bruce Roberts: With health plans, we are beginning to see a real understanding of the importance of programs that ensure the appro- WWW.HMENEWS.COM / APRIL 2012 / HME NEWS Former NCPA head launches network W priate use of medications. Studies clearly show that if the pharma- cist is involved in the patient's care plan, it can save enormous dollars. HME: How will you help pharmacies with this? Roberts: With Accountable Care Organizations, it's going to be very difficult for pharmacists to play in the ACOs unless somebody's help- ing connect them. We are develop- ing a technology platform that will underpin this network and will cre- ate connectivity to the rest of the healthcare team. HME: Will this technology also track data? Roberts: The technology will facili- tate bringing in data from the phar- macy and also the health plan, and really making sure we are moving the needle. We are also going to show how one pharmacy is per- forming against another. HME: Are other healthcare provid- ers starting to see pharmacists as team members? Roberts: (Pharmacists) are pigeon- holed as being the purveyors of a commodity. I don't think there's a predisposal for the medical com- munity to not integrate the phar- macist, but the business model doesn't support that. That's what we are intent on changing. HME ORTHOTICS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29 The bad news: OTS orthotics is one of the categories that could be subject to competitive bidding, although it was not included in Rounds 1 or 2. "It's a double-edged sword," said Wolfe. "They could either be con- sidered OTS and subject to bidding, or they could be on the shelf and then they would have to have the certification." The list contains about 60 codes for items that require "minimal self-adjustment," as defined by law. Stakeholders at press time were still reviewing the list, but expressed concerns that some items on the list should be considered custom devices, not OTS, and therefore, should only be provided by certi- fied orthotic fitters or orthotists. "An individual supplying these items should be knowledgeable and competent in measuring, fit- ting and adjusting as required," said Claudia Zacharias, president and CEO of the Board of Certifi- cation/Accreditation, Internation- al. "It would appear that many of these items do not meet the statu- tory definition of 'minimal self- adjustment.'" The list seems simple, but there's a lot at stake. When an orthotic device isn't properly fitted, it can cause problems for the patient, said Zacharias. HME PEDIATRICS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29 to the same clinics, belong to the same organizations. Families talk to families." Reed and Kalogeras do every- thing from intake to deliveries. "We are seeing the difference we make in these patients lives and getting affirmation that what we are doing is necessary," said Reed. "It's exhausting, but it's rewarding, too." HME MEDTRADE BOOTH 831