There are many options available to rheumatology practices or clinics in order to ensure patients get the medication they need. Our goal in the coming weeks is to discuss some of these options, so that you can choose what’s right for your business and your customers. As we begin our series, we’re going to take a look at how in-house pharmacies work.
In-house pharmacies are becoming increasingly popular among rheumatology practices, while others are on the fence about whether this service is right for them. This article lists some of the benefits of having a pharmacy on-site to assist you in deciding whether it’s worth it.
Safety
Providing the highest level of care to your patients is always of paramount importance, so having a Farmacia a domicilio makes it simple to do so. Rheumatology patients are, for the most part, older people. They often have to arrange for transportation to and from their appointments. You can ensure they stay on schedule by allowing them to fill their prescriptions while they’re at the clinic. This will save them time and eliminate the need for an extra trip.
Convenience
There are many things on your patients’ plates, so they are usually very busy. They will appreciate an easy shopping experience where they can shop from one place. Making health a priority will be easier as well. A study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine discovered that approximately 28-31% of prescriptions are never filled. Your pharmacy can contribute to reducing the number of Rheumatology patients with these symptoms.
Control
Every rheumatologist treats a unique patient, and having the prescriptions they need when they need them is crucial to their long-term health and successful treatment. If you have an in-house pharmacy, you will be able to control the availability of everything your patients need, at the time they need it.
Revenue
An internal pharmacy can sometimes generate revenue for your clinic. Copays on prescription drugs may be able to be collected and billed back to insurance companies, depending on your state. You’ll have to spend money on your patients and/or their providers anyway—it’d be too bad if they didn’t spend it on you.
Therefore, billing for pharmaceutical services is different from other forms of medical billing, and a practice that is interested in setting up an in-house pharmacy may need to find a pharmacy management company that can both bill and handle the pharmacy, as it is a full-time occupation.
Compliance
It would be remiss of us not to reference a few compliance considerations when discussing in-house pharmacy benefits. Obviously, your office pharmacy must comply with local, state, and federal regulations on the storage and distribution of pharmaceuticals. In addition, the Stark Law is a requirement of federal compliance. Referrals to an entity with which a physician has a direct or indirect financial relationship are not permitted as long as they fall within the exceptions specified in the Stark Law. If you want to ensure the protection of your practice, you might want to consult a lawyer to guide you through this and other compliance regulations.
Ready to Go In-House?
In-house pharmacies are beneficial to your practice and your patients in many ways, as you can see. The in-house pharmacy is able to focus on specific care for rheumatic diseases, as this condition often requires specialty medications. Several states have legalized in-house pharmacies, so it is possible for you to establish one for the benefit of your patients.
As we continue to explore and discuss the different avenues available to you and your practice in the coming weeks, check back if in-house pharmacies aren’t for you or if you’re interested in other options.
