5 Benefits of the Appointment Based Model

The Appointment Based Model (ABM) is a patient care service that allows pharmacies to schedule appointments for customers to pick up all of their medications at the same time by calling them in advance.

Pharmacies that have moved to the appointment-based model have experienced a better-quality performance, increased customer loyalty and ability to provide effective patient care. According to recent studies, ABM patients’ PAB scores have increased on average by 17 points after enrolling in the program.

Here are 5 reasons why your pharmacy should switch to an appointment based model:

1. Improved Patient Medication Adherence

The engine that drives the ABM is medication synchronization — the process that allows scheduling refills on the same day every month. Several days prior to the appointment, pharmacy staff will call patients to determine the fill order and identify any changes in their regimen, giving the pharmacy plenty of time to make any necessary adjustments. This also provides a unique opportunity to engage with patients and provide additional questions and answers.

2. Better Quality of Life for Patients with Chronic Conditions

Acute and chronic medication therapies can only achieve positive health outcomes if patients show persistence with their therapeutic plans. The ABM can help solve non-adherence problems with medications in patients with chronic conditions by identifying an “anchor” prescription to synchronize with all other prescriptions in timing and quantities needed. This system significantly reduces the number of incorrectly filled prescriptions and allows patients to be more consistent in taking their chronic medications.

3. Opportunity to Provide Additional Services

With each confirmation call, your pharmacy staff is able to learn critical information such as; if a patient has recently been in the hospital, visited a doctor, or has taken all of his/her prescribed medications. On these calls, there is always an opportunity to identify needs and provide additional services related to a patient’s condition e.g., immunizations, Zostavax, or PGX testing

4. Making Smarter Decisions Based on Customer Data Analysis

With data available in your ABM system you can focus not only on identifying the best eligible patients for the services you provide, but also create groups of patients based on different criteria. You can then effectively predict trends and suggest adjustments. For example, if a significant number of your patients experience an adverse effect to a certain medication after taking it for certain period of time, you can predict exactly when you need to adjust their prescription.

5. Lower Inventory and Delivery Costs

During preparation for a patient’s visit, your pharmacy can anticipate when their medications are needed, making sure that everything is in stock and all prescriptions are ready. Planning ahead will significantly lower your costs and ensure a higher inventory turnover. Consolidating patient medications alsoenables  delivery of prescriptions to a patient’s home, only once a month vs. making multiple trips, thus decreasing delivery expenses.

Overall, pharmacies that have moved to the ABM have been shown to increase their overall performance quality and improve workflow efficiencies. If you are ready to embrace the appointment based model and evolve from being reactive to a more proactive business model, please join us by watching this webinar, The Appointment Based Model: Catalyst for Pharmacy Services Expansion.