Daniel K. Inouye
College of Pharmacy
Hepatitis C Provider Education
Includes a training certificate.
Hepatitis C Provider Education
Includes a training certificate.
Hepatitis B Provider Education
Includes a training certificate.
Hepatitis B Provider Education
Includes a training certificate.
Medication Therapy Management Certificate Program
Medication Therapy Management Certificate Program
What is MTM?
MTM is a service provided by pharmacists to optimize therapeutic outcomes for patients. It involves a comprehensive review of your medications to ensure they are safe, effective, and appropriate for your individual health needs.
Our Approach
Our program offers personalized medication reviews by pharmacists from UH Hilo DKICP. These reviews are conducted over the phone at your convenience, ensuring accessibility and ease of participation.
How It Works
Comprehensive medication review: A pharmacist will conduct a thorough review of all your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, herbal therapies, vitamins, and dietary supplements. The pharmacist will also talk with you and provide in-depth, medication-related education and consultation to you to help assure proper use of medications.
Personalized recommendations: Based on the review, the pharmacist will provide personalized recommendations to optimize your medication regimen, including identifying potential drug interactions, improving medication adherence, and reducing costs.
Action plan and medication list: You will receive a medication action plan and a personal medication list, designed to help you keep track of your medications and understand how to use them effectively. A copy of the medication action plan will also be sent to your primary care provider.
Benefits of Participating
Improved health outcomes: By optimizing your medication regimen, you can experience better control of your health conditions and improved overall well-being.
Cost savings: Our pharmacists can help identify opportunities to reduce prescription costs and find lower-cost alternatives.
Enhanced communication: Through regular medication reviews, you can establish open communication with your healthcare team and ensure coordinated care.
Getting Started
If you’re a HMSA Federal Plan 87 member and are eligible for the MTM program, you’ll receive a letter with details on how to schedule your medication review. Participation in the program is voluntary; it doesn’t affect your medical or drug plan benefits and you can opt out at any time. There’s no cost to participate in the program.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the MTM program or would like to schedule your medication review, please call the pharmacists at (808) 210-3120, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Or you can email us at hmsamtm@ucera.org. Our team is here to support you on your journey to better health.
Pharmacists play a pivotal role in healthcare, blending their expertise in medication management with patient care.
Here’s a glimpse into what pharmacists do in today’s dynamic landscape:
Ensuring Safe and Effective Medication Use
Pharmacists are the guardians of medication safety. They meticulously review prescriptions, checking for accuracy, potential interactions, and appropriateness of dosage. Their keen attention to detail helps prevent medication errors and ensures patients receive the right treatment for their condition.
Medication Management and Counseling
Beyond simply dispensing medications, pharmacists offer invaluable guidance on how to take medications correctly. Pharmacists review medications (prescription, over the counter and supplements) to assess that you are on the most appropriate, cost-effective medications. They educate patients on proper usage, potential side effects, and interactions with other drugs or dietary supplements. This personalized counseling empowers patients to manage their health more effectively.
Collaborating with Healthcare Teams
Pharmacists are integral members of healthcare teams, collaborating with physicians, nurses, and other professionals to optimize patient care. They provide insights on drug therapies, contribute to treatment plans, and participate in multidisciplinary discussions to enhance patient outcomes.
Promoting Public Health Initiatives
In addition to individual patient care, pharmacists are advocates for public health. They administer vaccinations, conduct health screenings, and provide guidance on disease prevention strategies. Through community outreach programs and public education efforts, they promote healthier lifestyles and contribute to the overall well-being of their communities.
Managing Chronic Conditions
As the prevalence of chronic diseases rises, pharmacists play a vital role in managing these conditions. They work closely with patients with diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and other chronic illnesses to monitor their medication regimens, adjust dosages as needed, and provide ongoing support to improve disease management and quality of life.
Embracing Technological Innovations
Pharmacists leverage technology to streamline processes and enhance patient care. They use electronic health records, medication management systems, and telehealth platforms to improve communication, track patient progress, and facilitate remote consultations, making health care more accessible and convenient.
Advocating for Patient Rights
Pharmacists are champions for patient advocacy, ensuring that individuals receive equitable access to healthcare services and medications. They advocate for medication affordability, promote medication adherence initiatives, and work to address healthcare disparities within their communities.
Continual Professional Development
In a rapidly evolving field, pharmacists are committed to lifelong learning. They stay abreast of new medications, treatment guidelines, and emerging therapies through continuing education and professional development opportunities. This dedication to staying current allows pharmacists to provide cutting-edge care and innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of their patients.
In essence, modern pharmacists are not just dispensers of pills; they are trusted healthcare professionals who play a multifaceted role in promoting wellness, managing diseases, and improving patient outcomes in today’s complex healthcare landscape.
Medication Therapy Management FAQ
The MTM program helps you assess and evaluate all the medications you’re taking to ensure that the medications are working well together. In the MTM program, you may see improvements such as:
- Fewer medications.
- Lower prescription costs.
- Better understanding of your medications and conditions.
- Better medication adherence.
- Lower risk of adverse drug reactions.
The MTM program was created for Federal Plan 87 members. The program may contact HMSA Federal Plan 87 members if they:
- Take multiple maintenance medications.
- Have delays in filling prescriptions.
Participation in this program is voluntary; it doesn’t affect your medical or drug plan benefits and you may opt out at any time. There’s no cost to participate in the Program.
If you’re eligible for the program, you’ll receive a letter. We may call you to set up your one-on-one medication review. The pharmacist or intern may contact you or members may call the MTM program if they believe they need help with their medications.
Members who’ve previously told HMSA they don’t want to be contacted are opted out of the program. You may still choose to self-enroll and opt back into the program to talk with a pharmacist.
It’s a one-on-one conversation with a pharmacist or pharmacy intern (supervised by a pharmacist) over the phone.
The medication review takes place once a year and usually takes about 15-30 minutes. It includes a review of all medications you’re currently taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, herbal therapies, vitamins, and dietary supplements.
You can ask questions and discuss concerns you have about:
- Appropriate medication use.
- Potential drug interactions.
- Medication adherence.
The pharmacist will help manage your conditions with medications. If the pharmacist needs more information, they may contact the prescribing doctor.
At the end of the conversation, you’ll receive a list of the medications discussed and a medication action plan with suggested topics for you or your authorized representative. You can take this plan with you to the doctor to discuss at your next visit.
You may receive a call from a pharmacist or pharmacy intern (supervised by a pharmacist) from our partners at UH Hilo DKICP to complete your review over the phone. When they call, you can schedule your review at a time that’s convenient for you. “HMSA Pharmacy” may appear on caller ID.
Different doctors may write prescriptions for you without knowing all the prescription drugs and/or over-the-counter medications that you take. A pharmacist will:
- Discuss how prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications may affect
each other. - Identify any prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications that may be
causing side effects and offer suggestions to help. - Help you take your medications effectively.
- Find ways to help you save money on your prescriptions.
You’ll have a personal medication list to keep for your records and share with your doctors and other health care providers if necessary.
After your comprehensive medication review with the pharmacist, you’ll receive a personal medication list and medication action plan with suggestions that you may need to share with your doctor.
If there are potential issues with the medications you’re taking, the pharmacist may send information to your doctor for follow-up.
Call the phone number provided in the letter to schedule an appointment. Or call the HMSA Federal Plan 87 MTM program at (808) 210-3120.
Yes. To opt out of the MTM program, please call the UH Hilo DKICP MTM program at (808) 210-3120 and request to be removed from the program.
HMSA has contracted with UH Hilo DKICP to provide a review of your medications. As a Federal Plan 87 member, HMSA provides this as a free benefit.
HMSA has provided a list of medications you’ve been prescribed to the pharmacists to review before talking with you. Your information is stored securely and all your information is kept confidential.
The benefits include reducing the risk for problems with your medications or helping you find ways to decrease any side effects you may have with your medications, determining if there are lower cost medications, and helping you understand what the medications are for and how they can help you.
There’s no cost. This is a special benefit of your HMSA Federal Plan 87.
The pharmacist will only be providing recommendations and won’t change your medications. Only the health care provider (e.g., doctor) who ordered the medication for you will make the change.
The pharmacist will send you a summary of the recommendations to you and your primary care provider (PCP). You should talk with your PCP about the recommendations made.
The pharmacist will send a summary of the recommendations to you and your PCP. The information is stored in an electronic database that’s secure and HIPAA compliant. All pharmacists and pharmacy students receive training and abide by HIPAA rules.
Call the HMSA Federal Plan 87 MTM program at (808) 210-3120 to schedule an appointment.
Members who have previously told HMSA they don’t want to be contacted are opted out of the program. You may still choose to self-enroll and opt into the program to talk with a pharmacist.
All the doctors participating in HMSA were notified through the electronic HMSA bulletins. In addition, the pharmacist will send a summary of the recommendations to you.
The medication review will be done over the phone and will take about 15-30 minutes, depending on how many medications you are on. A summary of the medication review will be provided to you and your PCP.
Location
University of Hawaii at Hilo
Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy
Hale Kihoʻihoʻi Building
722 South Aohoku Place
Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 210-3120
Fax: (808) 447-5983
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