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AMCP CEO Susan Cantrell

I sat down with AMCP CEO Susan Cantrell at the spring conference in Denver.  She shared an update on a few of the issues leaders and pharmacy clinicians are dealing with this year.  Some top areas of focus include contracting with pharmaceutical companies.  Value-based reimbursement is emerging as a new trend that will likely gain traction over the coming year.

Jim Kenney, Manager of Specialty and Pharmacy Contracts at Harvard Pilgrim, lead a session titled “Approaches to Managed Care Contracting with Pharmaceutical Manufacturers.” This session discussed innovations in managed care pharmacy contracting, including indication-based contracts and price protection arrangements.

The Boston Globe recently reported on two Harvard Pilgrim pay-for-performance programs focused on rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis aligned with adherence and effectiveness measures. The strategy is designed to curb spending while giving patients access to costly treatments.

Healthcare Risk Management Review described the launch of an Enhanced Medication Therapy Management (MTM) program by Tabula Rasa HealthCare. This pilot program of the Part D Enhanced MTM Model involves seven states: Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. The article shared requirements of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), which oversees the model.

And of course, the AMCP conference featured speakers discussing the possibility of repeal/replacement of the ACA and the impacts such a change would have on the pharmacy landscape.