Aetna (NYSE: AET) announced today results of an analysis from the first half of 2009, demonstrating an average medication adherence of over 95 percent for its members taking Specialty medications. Disease states evaluated in Aetna’s analysis include: multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV, Crohn's disease, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), psoriasis, Hepatitis C and asthma. These conditions often require members to self-administer shots, adhere to complex dosing schedules or deal with serious side-effects. Aetna Specialty Pharmacy provides a high level of personal support and individual education to its members to ensure medications are taken appropriately and as prescribed.
“This analysis confirms that the personal attention members receive through Aetna Specialty Pharmacy’s care management program has a positive impact on medication adherence,” said Edmund Pezalla, MD, Chief Clinical Officer for Aetna Pharmacy Management. “Our coordinated care management approach has helped thousands of Aetna members with the most common chronic conditions stay on their doctor’s recommended treatment plan, which contributes to a healthier member population.”
For the first half of 2009, the averages for the following disease states were:
- Multiple sclerosis, 95.33 percent
- Rheumatoid arthritis, 94.65 percent
- HIV, 97 percent
- Crohns, 95.68 percent
- Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), 97.21 percent
- Hepatitis C, 97.39 percent
- Psoriasis, 94.33 percent
- Asthma, 93.38 percent
Aetna manages and monitors these eight conditions closely because they have the highest prescription volume and are also known to have severe side effects, causing patients to no longer take their medication as prescribed. However, every patient using Aetna Specialty Pharmacy is offered in-depth personal support from a staff of highly qualified clinical professionals, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, registered pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians.
“These are some of the best results we’ve seen documented in the industry,” said Pezalla. “The combination of support we are providing is proving to work across a spectrum of conditions.”
Upon receiving a new prescription order, Aetna Specialty Pharmacy assesses the patient’s education needs and compliance risk. Clinicians confirm the dose and medical necessity. They also respond to each patient's assessed needs by offering additional education about their therapy and tips for success. They perform injection training, coordinate home health care, engage and discuss concerns and preferences with patients, in addition to providing emotional support. Aetna clinicians work with the patients’ physicians to address concerns and will call members as often as needed to check progress and proactively coordinate refills and supplies. They can offer help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“These patients become part of our lives and if we aren’t interacting with them directly or with their doctors, they can be sure we have thought about them at some point every day,” said Jenny Zientara, RN, with Aetna Specialty Pharmacy. “The entire care management team is personally vested in ensuring our patients have what they need to stay on their medications and stay healthy.”