By Cynthia Chioma Nwaubani

The growing demand for healthcare services in the U.S., fueled by an aging population and an increase in chronic health conditions, has put a spotlight on inefficiencies and gaps within the healthcare system. Nearly 90% of the U.S.'s $4.1 trillion in healthcare expenditures are devoted to chronic and mental health conditions, creating a pressing need for more effective, cost-efficient and accessible healthcare models.

This is compounded by national pharmacy chains recently shuttering primary care health clinics and retail stores, eliminating virtual care options and struggling to manage rising costs. Pharmacist-led telehealth is bridging these gaps in care by offering a virtual clinical pharmacist solution with Pharmacist Care Managers (PCMs) ready to assist physician clinics and their patients with telehealth consults. This approach to care reduces the workload on physicians and effectively manages chronic disease and medications between the patients’ doctor office visits.
PCMs provide needed support, from comprehensive medication management to resolving adverse drug events (ADEs) and Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) identification and management ensuring that patients receive rapid, consistent and comprehensive access to care. Furthermore, improved care quality and patient outcomes decrease utilization and boost quality metrics for provider organizations participating in shared savings, value-based contracts.

Facilitating value-based care
The shift toward value-based care in the U.S. healthcare system encourages providers to deliver high-quality care while controlling costs. Pharmacist-led telehealth aligns well with this model by supporting proactive, technology-enabled care management that is both cost-effective and outcome-focused. RPM enables providers to monitor blood pressure and intervene early to prevent complications, aligning with value-based care’s goals.

PCMs are leading the way in advancing patient care through remote patient monitoring (RPM), chronic care management (CCM) and principal care management (PCM), all programs that are reimbursed under Medicare and allow providers to track patient progress in real time. This enables timely interventions that can prevent complications and reduce hospitalizations. A recent study demonstrated that these pharmacist-led CMM programs, delivered via telehealth, reduced per-patient healthcare spending by $380 per month, offering a robust return on investment.

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