Heart Month: Addressing the Cardiovascular Disease Crisis with Virtual Pharmacist-Led Care
Every February, the nation observes American Heart Month, a dedicated time to raise awareness about heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. Despite advances in treatment and prevention, cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to pose a significant health and economic burden—one that requires urgent, proactive intervention. Heart Month goes beyond raising awareness—it serves as a […]
Maximizing Impact Through Specialty Medication Therapy Management
As specialty medications revolutionize treatment for chronic and complex conditions, their rising costs and intricate management requirements place a significant strain on patients, payers and providers. Without structured oversight, adherence issues, adverse drug interactions and financial barriers can lead to poor outcomes and unnecessary healthcare costs. PharmD Live’s virtual clinical pharmacists provide a proactive, AI-driven […]
Driving Value-Based Healthcare with Chronic Care Management: The Key to Better Outcomes for High-Risk Patients
As value-based care (VBC) continues to shape the future of healthcare, managing high-risk patients efficiently is more important than ever. Chronic illnesses are the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for 90% of the nation’s $4.5 trillion annual healthcare expenditures. Despite medical advancements, chronic disease management remains a significant challenge, contributing to avoidable hospitalizations, […]
From Data to Action: The Game-Changing Role of Pharmacists in Remote Patient Monitoring
Chronic diseases, medication mismanagement and preventable hospitalizations continue to strain healthcare systems, driving up costs and compromising patient outcomes. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is advancing patient care by providing real-time health insights that enable timely interventions. However, for RPM to be truly effective, it requires expert oversight to transform raw data into actionable care strategies. […]
Understanding Chronic Care Management (CCM) CPT Codes: A Strategic Guide for Healthcare Providers
Understanding Medicare’s Chronic Care Management (CCM) program is essential for providers seeking to enhance patient care and financial sustainability. A key element is the proper use of CPT codes, which enable reimbursement for non-face-to-face services to patients with chronic conditions. The Key CCM CPT Codes Providers Need to Know There are two primary CPT codes used for billing […]
AGS Beers Criteria® (2019 Update): Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use In Older Adults
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) recently released its latest update to a highly utilized reference tool: The AGS Beers Criteria® for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults. First developed in 1991 by Dr. Mark Beers, a geriatrician, and colleagues, the report is based on expert panel recommendations and has been updated every three years […]
Anticholinergic Medications in the Beers Criteria
By Hannah Grice, PharmD The Beers Criteria®1 is a leading source of expert information about potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) in older adults. While these medications are generally harmless in young patients, they can have detrimental effects in older adults. Physicians and pharmacists can easily overlook misuse of these drugs, as many are readily available to patients […]
2021 Updated Review of AGS Beers Criteria®
Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults with Chronic Diseases The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Beers Criteria® for Potentially Inappropriate Medication (PIM) Use in Older Adults is a resource for physicians and pharmacists to make careful clinical decisions for their patients. Updated in 2019, using the AGS Beers Criteria® improves medication selection, educates clinicians and patients, reduces adverse […]
Aduhelm: The New Alzheimer’s Drug and its Coverage Implications with Alzheimer’s Disease
by Giftina Wilson, PharmD Candidate On June 7, 2021, the FDA approved the controversial Aduhelm® (aducanumab) for treating Alzheimer’s Disease despite inadequate evidence of the drug’s efficacy based on a highly debated posthoc analysis.1 Currently, there is an ongoing discussion on whether Medicare will provide coverage of this new antibody to its beneficiaries. Aduhelm is a […]
Aduhelm: Development or Dissension?
By Minitha Jacob, PharmD Candidate, and Hannah Grice, PharmD Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is considered the most common cause of dementia and accounts for about 60% of cases (approximately 5.7 million adults) in the US. Alzheimer’s is primarily seen in patients aged 65 years and older. Statistics predict the number of cases to double by 2050.1 Patients […]