Shifting the focus from cost to value: a government perspective.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the federal government.s current health care initiatives in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve quality of care and cost-effectiveness around the prescription drug benefit.


CONCLUSIONS
The government has a unique perspective on quality and outcome. Pharmacists need a working knowledge of 3 areas: (1) Medicare Part D, (2) medication therapy management efforts, and (3) demonstration projects. All of these will make demands on health care providers but should result in better outcomes data and patient care. All of these areas also have value components, and all have strategic implications as 2006 moves into 2007.


CONCLUSIONS
CMS does not consider managing cost and providing value to be mutually exclusive and is attempting to move America.s health care toward a value-based program.
Edgar
Babette S
BS
Gorman Health Group, LLC, 2176 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA. bedgar@gormanhealthgroup.com
D014487:Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S.; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D005569:Formularies as Topic; D006078:Government Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006278:Medicare; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000191:economics; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D014481:United States