Mckesson Accesshealth Launches Medicare Part D Support Program Featuring Reimbursement And Performance Guide

Comprehensive Tools and Webinar Series Designed to Help Independent Pharmacies Improve Patients’ Health Outcomes and Optimize Reimbursement

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As pharmacy reimbursement models continue to evolve with greater focus for pharmacies on clinical performance and patient outcomes, McKesson AccessHealth has launched a Medicare Part D support program to help independent pharmacies prepare for success in the 2016 Medicare Part D plan year. Featuring a comprehensive series of tools, resources, and webinars, AccessHealth is helping independent pharmacies understand all aspects of the 2016 Medicare Part D plans in order to improve patient health outcomes and optimize reimbursement.

“We saw this shift to preferred networks early on and have been working very hard to give independent pharmacies the tools and resources they need to be ready and set them up for success.”

“Community pharmacy’s ability to provide solutions that help improve patients’ health and improve their scores across an increasing number of quality measures is key to their survival. AccessHealth is committed to helping independent pharmacies understand the 2016 reimbursement landscape, gain entry to more narrowly focused preferred pharmacy networks, and take advantage of emerging performance-based incentives,” said Kevin Connor, VP/GM of AccessHealth. “We saw this shift to preferred networks early on and have been working very hard to give independent pharmacies the tools and resources they need to be ready and set them up for success.”

AccessHealth 2016 Medicare Part D Reimbursement and Performance Guide (The Guide): Included in its comprehensive suite of managed care services, AccessHealth has developed an extensive guide designed to assist pharmacies in navigating the upcoming Medicare Part D changes for the 2016 plan year. The Guide outlines the 2016 reimbursement, direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) details and plan-specific clinical and operational criteria being measured for pharmacies to potentially receive additional pay-for-performance dollars. If a plan has a Generic Dispense Rate (GDR) component, it is also listed. The 2016 Medicare Part D Reimbursement and Performance Guide can be used by pharmacies to help:

• Identify the Medicare plans in their area and familiarize themselves with the performance criteria for each plan
• Identify the plans in which they have a large number of patients and prioritize based on their patient mix
• Determine specific clinical and operational criteria for the plans most significant to their business
• Leverage tools and solutions to become a top-performing pharmacy

AccessHealth Webinar Series: Throughout the year, AccessHealth is hosting a series of webinars designed to help independent pharmacies prepare for the new reimbursement rates as well as identify opportunities to leverage the movement toward pay-for-performance incentives. The next webinar in the series, [Optimizing Pharmacy Performance] is scheduled for December 10, 2015 and will feature an in-depth overview of the 2016 operational and clinical performance requirements of the preferred networks. Building on the comprehensive review of The Guide, this session will focus on specific strategies required for successfully maneuvering preferred networks.

“While the shift to preferred networks and new reimbursement models is unsettling for many independents, there are also opportunities for incentives that we are preparing our members to take advantage of. For example, more Medicare Part D plans are offering pharmacies incentives to interact with their patients and provide care in ways that improve their STAR ratings. It is now more important than ever to take advantage of the performance opportunities available to them to become top clinical performers by making investments in tools and services to increase customer and patient engagement like EQuIPP access, medication synchronization solutions, and utilizing a team of AccessHealth advisors who provide recurring guidance around performance scores,” said Eyad Farah, AccessHealth VP Business Development and Strategy.

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About AccessHealth

AccessHealth is the managed care solution for more than 5,500 small and medium chain pharmacies, nationwide. AccessHealth provides its members with access to important narrow networks through strategic contracting, increases pharmacy efficiencies through its consolidated reimbursement processes, and provides the tools needed to help its members become top clinical performers in today’s shifting industry. As a market leader in managed care solutions and support for independent pharmacies, AccessHealth provides the expertise and tools needed to help its member pharmacies gain access to patients and narrow networks and compete in the evolving market.

About McKesson

McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 11th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to making the business of healthcare run better. We partner with payers, hospitals, physician offices, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies and others across the spectrum of care to build healthier organizations that deliver better care to patients in every setting. McKesson helps its customers improve their financial, operational and clinical performance with solutions that include pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management, healthcare information technology, and business and clinical services. For more information, visit mckesson.com.