by brant bullard | May 22, 2016 | News
A projected 25% cut in Medicaid provider payments could go into effect June 1 and elderly Oklahomans will be hit hardest in a state already ranked as worst in the country for healthcare access.
So the big question is…what can we do to help offset these budget cuts?
The Oklahoma Association of Health Care Providers said the cuts would likely leave more than 90% of the state’s nursing homes operating at a loss and in danger of closing. (more…)
by brant bullard | Mar 30, 2016 | Journal articles
An estimated 1.5 million beneficiaries are receiving treatment at more than 15,000 long-term care facilities around the country.
The CMS proposed a rule aimed at dramatically improving the quality of care Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries are receiving in nursing homes.
According to modernhealthcare.com, an estimated 1.5 million beneficiaries are receiving treatment at more than 15,000 long-term care facilities or nursing homes around the country that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
The 403-page proposed rule released in 2015 contains numerous proposals to reduce unnecessary hospital readmissions and infections, increase quality of care and introduce new safety measures.
President Barack Obama announced the new rules in July 2015 at the White House Conference on Aging.
Some of the changes include making sure that nursing home staff members are properly trained on caring for residents with dementia and in preventing elder abuse. Other changes include improving care planning, including discharge planning for all residents with involvement of the facility’s interdisciplinary team and consideration of the caregiver’s capacity, giving residents information they need for follow-up, and ensuring that instructions are transmitted to any receiving facilities or services. Lastly, the CMS is looking to strengthen the rights of nursing home residents, including placing limits on when and how binding arbitration agreements may be used.
The CMS is the leading payer in the nation for long-term care services. Approximately 64% of nursing home residents have their care paid for by Medicaid, another 14% are covered by Medicare and 22% have another payer, according to the American Health Care Association, a nursing home trade group.
If finalized, the proposals would cost the nursing home industry $729 million in the first year the rule is in effect and $638 million in year two, according to the CMS.
Richard Mollot, executive director at National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, said he also wanted more controls to ensure that senior citizens are not unnecessarily prescribed anti-psychotics, which has been a problem at nursing homes.
“When anti-psychotics are used long term, there is an increased risk of death,” Mollot said. Read entire article at modern healthcare.com
Clay Bullard, president of PGx Medical believes by managing a residents medications you can improve quality of care not only for the resident, but also for the staff. “All of a sudden, residents with behavioral issues aren’t a problem any longer when you have them on medications they are able to receive therapy from, and you can reduce cost by eliminating unnecessary medications. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
For information on Metabolic Validation, via pharmacogenomic testing, contact:
PGx Medical
Individualized Care – Personalized Medicine
info@pgxmed.com
405-509-5112
by brant bullard | Aug 15, 2014 | News, Uncategorized
Recently while speaking and educating across the country, we came up with the Top 5 Questions asked about our PGx Metabolic Validation Program. We hope these will answer any question you might have regarding our tool.
Q: Who pays for the metabolic validation test?
PGx: Metabolic Validation (Pharmacogenomics) is available to patients/residents with any of the following coverages:
- Medicare B (100% covered) PGx Medical does not balane bill and there is no co-pay.
- Medicaid is available in select states (100% covered) PGx Medical does not balance bill and there is no co-pay in select states.
- Private Insurance. We believe that every patient should have access to the Metabolic Validation testing. So with the PGx Medical MVT, you are eligible for our Financial Assistance Program.
Q: How do I get tested?
PGx: A doctor must order the metabolic validation test. If your home, clinic or family physician isn’t already testing patients, just tell them you would like to request it and they can request test kits at info@pgxmed.com or call us 405-509-5112. We’ll be happy to coordinate everything for them.
Q: What is the science behind Metabolic Validation/Pharmacogenomics?
PGx: The body of scientific studies and research from the FDA, NIH, drug manufacturers and the molecular genetic community continues to highlight pharmacogenomic values for the use of a metabolic validation tool. Some of the key highlights of the clinical application of this science:
- Over 150 medications have FDA guidance surrounding pharmacogenomics and how medications should be used based on genetic variants. (1)
- FDA has given clear recommendations on how pharmacogenomic information can be incorporated into new medication labeling. (2)
- The National Institute of Health has a list of over 80 medications that they recommend changing the medication or the dosage based on pharmacogenomic information. (3)
Q: Do all patients metabolize mediciation the same way?
PGx: Over 50% of patients have gene variants that alter the rate at which they metabolize medications.
Q: Why am I just now hearing about Metabolic Validation?PGx: Metabolic Validation testing (pharmacogenomics) isn’t new. It has been around for decades. The only difference is medicare has made it affordable and now more available to you. Along with the age of technology which has brought awareness to the general public with unlimited information and education available via the internet so more people are hearing about and understanding the value of metabolic validation. PGx Medical has also made an aggressive effort to bring it to the forefront by partnering with state agencies and speaking/educating across the country regarding the benefits of this once in a lifetime test. Our tool helps healthcare professionals determine the right drug, right dose for the right patient making it easy to incorporate personalized medicine into their patient care.
For more information on the PGx Medical Metabolic Validation Test:
PGx Medical
405-509-5112
info@pgxmed.com
www.pgxmed.com
Source:
http://www.fda.gov/drugs/scienceresearch/researchareas/pharmacogenetics/ucm083378.htm (1)
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/UCM337169.pdf) (2)
http://www.pharmgkb.org/cpic/pairs (3)
by brant bullard | Aug 1, 2014 | Metabolic Validation Program
Recently PGx Medical surveyed pharmacists across the country regarding Metabolic Validation. Below are a few responses.
93% of pharmacists said they think it is important to alert Medical Directors and DONs to residents that are currently on medication that have a BLACK BOX WARNING (Plavix, Codeine, Psych, Anti Depressants, etc) and that Metabolic Validation (pharmacogenomics) should be a part of a Pharmacy Consultant role.
An alarming 85.71% said their facility has never implemented a Metabolic Validation program for medication reduction or appropriate medication diagnosis.
42.86% pharmacists surveyed said 80% of the recommended med changes from Pharmacy Consultants are agreed to or implemented by the Medical Directors on average nationwide. 57.14% responded 50% or less med changes were agreed or implemented.
When asked the question: What percentage of residents in LTC facilities would you estimate might be currently taking meds, or enter the facility as a new resident on meds that they are not metabolizing properly, or could be eliminated without significant changes to their quality of life?40% of Pharmacists said 30% and higher.
67% agree that the Pharmacy Consultant should have the most influence in determining medicine regiment changes and appropriate med reductions for existing LTC facility residents.
PGx Medical would like to thank all the Pharmacists who took time to answer our survey. Your input is vital to what we do and we appreciate your feedback.
At PGx Medical we take our job very seriously. Our role as consultants is to help the healthcare community determine the right drug, right dose, for the right person. Through our unique tool “Metabolic Validation Testing” we strive to make it easy for healthcare professionals to incorporate personalized medicine into their patient care.
- Reduce side effects
- Increase clinical response
- Pinpoint appropriate medications for specific diagnosis
For more information on Metabolic Validation Testing and how you can incorporate it into your home, pharmacy or clinic, call 405-509-5112 or email: info@pgxmed.com. Our PGx Medical Team will be happy to assist you.
The PGx Medical Metabolic Validation program is available at no cost to the facility or residents with Medicare Part B and Medicaid (in select states).
PGx Medical
Individualized Care, Personalized Medicine
405-509-5112
Info@pgxmed.com
