Friday, March 12, 2010

Home Medicines Review

MBS Item 900 $143.40 plus Item 10990 Bulk Billing payment $5.70 where eligible GP referral to a patient’s preferred community pharmacy allows an accredited pharmacist to comprehensively review the patient’s medication during a home visit. A report is provided to the GP who develops a medication management plan in consultation with the patient.

A Home Medicines Review (HMR) provides an opportunity for patients living in the community to benefit from a team approach to their care. Through improving understanding and compliance, a medication review can optimize the patient’s benefit from their medication regimen and reduce the risk of medication mishaps.

Who is eligible for an HMR?

People living in the community who have Quality Use of Medicines concerns are eligible to receive an HMR. An HMR can be provided not more than once per year unless there has been a significant change in medication regimen or patient’s circumstances. The potential need for a HMR can be identified by the GP, or by receipt of advice from the patient, carer, or another health professional including a pharmacist.

Situations likely to place people at higher risk of medication related problems include:
Recent Discharge from hospital
Taking 5 or more regular medications or taking 12 or more doses per day
Recent changes to medication regimen
Medications with a low therapeutic index
Poor compliance or difficulties with therapeutic devices (glucose monitors, inhalers)
Patients attending multiple prescribers

Consider the Benefits of HMR

For GPs:

Comprehensive, up-to-date information about all the medicines, complementary products, devices and other prescriptions being used by your patients at home
MBS Item 900 payment is received for work previously attracting no payment
Time is saved on in-office medication reviews

For Your Patients

Support
Assistance with medications/aids/devices to improve compliance
Early detection and management of medicine-related problems
Education
HMR helps patients to understand their medicines
Enhances patients’ ability to manage medicines appropriately
Satisfaction
94% of patients surveyed rated their experiences with HMR as ‘excellent’.

How can the Division HMR Facilitator assist?

‘HMR Tutorial’ visits for GPs and Practice Staff
Assistance with referral templates on prescribing software
Small group case study discussions for GPs and Pharmacists
Integration with other programs such as Chronic Disease Management (CDM) items on MBS, hospital discharge procedures, and other QUM activities.
Support for the related MBS Item 903 for Residential Medication Management Review in Aged Care Facilities