Outcomes Announces Early Adoption of 2013 Medicare Requirements

DES MOINES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Beginning in 2013, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will require Part D plan sponsors to provide seniors with standardized Medication Therapy Management (MTM) post-service materials. The program changes were announced in the recently released CMS 2013 Call Letter. The federal agency also encouraged the industry to develop clear and consistent MTM service expectations, particularly with regard to the Comprehensive Medication Review (CMR). The CMR service is anticipated to become the focus of a STAR Ratings performance measure in 2014.

Enhanced reporting requirements and service clarifications were also included in the Call Letter.

Outcomes Incorporated (Outcomes^®) has announced a compliance plan that will ensure its contracted plan sponsors meet and exceed the new CMS requirements months in advance of the January 1, 2013, deadline.

“We are fully supportive of the direction CMS has taken,” said Patty Kumbera, Outcomes Chief Operating Officer. “The new requirements will lead to more members receiving these important services, enhanced coordination of care, and more comprehensive analyses of the outcomes of MTM.”

The CMS standard member materials are to be provided to seniors following a CMR and include a Personal Medication List and Medication Action Plan. Outcomes has included functionality within its unified MTM platform to create similar member-level documents since 2006. Outcomes will adapt the existing documents to meet the new standard.

“Completion Rate for Comprehensive Medication Review” will be a display quality measure for plans in 2013, in anticipation of becoming a STAR Ratings measurement used to rank and bonus high-performing plans in 2014. In preparation for this change, Outcomes has made a number of enhancements to its program designed to drive the CMR completion rate for contracted plans. The CMR rating in 2014 will be based on performance in 2012.

For more information on these changes and how Outcomes can help your plan to meet and exceed the 2013 requirements and deadline, please contact Outcomes at 877.237.0050 or info@getoutcomes.com.

Outcomes Incorporated is the national leader in the design, delivery, and administration of Medication Therapy Management programs. The company's service line benefits health care purchasers by delivering a cost effective approach to advancing patient care and controlling utilization through the provision of patient-friendly, face-to-face personal pharmacist services. The company is headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa and may be found online at www.getoutcomes.com.

To schedule an interview on this topic, please contact Steve Berry at 877.237.0050 or sberry@getoutcomes.com.