Let's take a look at what's happening in the world of pharmacy and healthcare.
New Data from OmniSYS about Its CareALERTS Program Demonstrates Critical Role Pharmacists Play as Healthcare Providers
In 2023, CareALERTS helped pharmacies increase companion pneumococcal immunization rates by 28%. This is a significant increase, as only about 49.4% of U.S. adults were vaccinated against the flu during the 2021-2022 influenza season.
CareALERTS is a program that helps pharmacies identify patients who are due for immunizations and then prompts pharmacists to recommend those immunizations to the patients by using data from multiple sources, including state immunization registries and vaccine data from other healthcare settings.
The program then prompts pharmacists to recommend those immunizations to the patients, via in-person conversations, phone calls, or text messages.
CareALERTS also integrates with CareCLAIM®, OmniSYS' medical billing solution, to reduce administrative burden for pharmacies.
As a claim is being processed, CareCLAIM becomes interoperable with the pharmacy management system, enabling a CareALERTS prompt to notify the pharmacist — in workflow — of a vaccination opportunity.
In addition to the benefits for public health, CareALERTS can also help pharmacies generate revenue. For example, one major national pharmacy successfully administered over 100,000 immunizations to eligible but underserved patients, generating incremental revenue of over $17 million.
Next, A New Report Addresses “How GoodRx is Changing the Economics of Healthcare”
GoodRx, a company that helps people find discounts on prescription drugs, released a report claiming its services have a significant positive impact on the US healthcare system. Among the findings in the report:
GoodRx saved consumers over $65 billion on prescription drugs. The average GoodRx user saves $72 per prescription. This number is growing, and users saved an average of 82% on retail prices last year.
GoodRx improved medication adherence, estimating that it helped fill 184 million prescriptions that otherwise wouldn't have been filled, increasing adherence by 135% since 2021.
For the 100 most popular drugs, GoodRx was cheaper than the average insurance copay 50% of the time, saving users 50% on average.
GoodRx estimates it prevented over 927,000 emergency room visits and hospitalizations, saving the healthcare system $5 billion since 2012. This translates to $145 million in savings for GoodRx users.
Next, How Elevance Health Programs Are Tackling Healthcare's Digital Divide with Free Smartphones and Digital Health Tools for Medicaid Members
Elevance Health is bridging the digital divide for low-income individuals enrolled in its affiliated Medicaid plans by offering them free, high-quality smartphones with unlimited data, talk, and text. This first-of-its-kind program aims to improve health outcomes, increase healthcare affordability, and boost health equity through digital tools and services.
Elevance Health points to a number of Key features of the program, including:
Free smartphones with unlimited data, talk, and text for eligible Medicaid members.
Preloaded with customized digital and virtual healthcare tools.
Collaboration with major carriers like Verizon, Samsung, AT&T, and T-Mobile.
Funded by the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
Addresses the needs of underserved communities where nearly half lack smartphones due to cost.
Program will launch in multiple states in 2024, aiming to reach hundreds of thousands of members.
Among the benefits Elevance health describes for beneficiaries are:
Improved access to healthcare providers and services through digital and virtual channels.
Enhanced health education and self-management through digital tools.
Reduced healthcare costs by promoting preventive care and managing chronic conditions.
Greater control over their health and well-being.
Elevance Health's program goes beyond just providing devices by offering:
Customized smartphone navigation training.
Dedicated customer service support.
Collaboration with Medicaid care teams for whole-health needs.
This innovative initiative aims to close the digital gap and empower Medicaid members to take charge of their health through technology.
And Finally, AscellaHealth Has Released Its Latest Specialty & Rare Pipeline Digest
This free, quarterly publication is a comprehensive resource for upcoming treatments in rare diseases and complex conditions and acts as a compass for industry stakeholders, including pharmaceutical manufacturers, payers, and providers, by providing:
Essential updates on new, pending, and upcoming drugs, including specialty medications, cell and gene therapies, biosimilars, and generics.
Proactive insights that help stakeholders make informed decisions in a rapidly changing field and navigate the evolving landscape.
Commitment to patient care and industry expertise, reflected in AscellaHealth's mission to improve treatment access and optimize healthcare outcomes.
The Specialty & Rare Pipeline Digest complements AscellaHealth's role as a comprehensive industry partner, offering end-to-end solutions for specialty drug commercialization.
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Data from OmniSYS CareALERTS Program, A Report from GoodRx, Elevance Health Smartphones Medicaid Program, and AscellaHealth Specialty & Rare Pipeline Digest