Five for Friday April 5: Celebrating Success in Advancing Medication Use Quality
The 2024 PQA Annual Meeting is less than six weeks away, and we are excited to welcome you all back to Baltimore!
Tuesday, April 9, is the final day to take advantage of the PQA hotel discount. Don't miss out! Make your room reservations at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor. The early registration deadline for the meeting ends on Friday, April 19. Learn more about the meeting below.
We also highlight two important, just released CMS policies and our members' perspectives pharmacy deserts and specialty pharmacy. If you have news you'd like for us to spotlight in an upcoming Five For Friday, send us an email!
-- Chris Kotschevar, PharmD, CPHQ, Director of Stakeholder Engagement
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized April 1 the Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Rate Announcement for the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D Prescription Drug (Part D) Programs that updates payment policies for these programs and ensures payment accuracy. Yesterday, April 4, CMS issued the Contract Year 2025 Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule (CMS-4205-F). Attend the PQA Meeting to learn what's new in these programs and the implications of the new policies.
Addressing Pharmacy Deserts
McKesson is launching Project Oasis, a new initiative aimed at advancing health equity for at-risk populations in underserved communities. Led by McKesson's Global Impact Organization and Community Pharmacy & Health, Project Oasis seeks to identify and address pharmacy deserts, particularly in urban areas where residents face significant challenges in accessing essential pharmacy services.
Personalizing Care in Specialty Pharmacy
Inovalon's Ernie Shopes says advances in genetic analysis and drug development are paving the way for a heightened level of personalized medicine. This shift is opening doors for specialty and infusion pharmacies to handle new biologics, infusions, and other novel therapies to better serve their patients. However, specialty pharmacies face significant logistical, financial, and operational challenges that stand in the way of patients benefiting from more personalized medicine.
Finalize Your Plans for the 2024 PQA Annual Meeting
Finalize your plans to join us in Baltimore! Time and space are running out to make your reservations at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor. Plus, register for the meeting today to take advantage of early pricing.
The program for the 2024 PQA Annual Meeting is jam-packed; hear more about what you can expect from PQA's Amanda Ryan in the PQS Quality Corner Show.
We also have general sessions on value-based care, the IRA, Medicare Part C & D quality programs, and MTM. There are many opportunities to earn continuing education during sessions focused on health equity, community pharmacy and specialty pharmacy. Join Micah Cost for a leadership conversation and network with other healthcare quality leaders.
We are looking forward to connecting with you all to discuss our shared goals to advance medication use quality. Register and reserve your room today!
Your Next Engagement Opportunities
Network, Learn and Collaborate with PQA
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Join us for the next Quality Essentials Webinar on April 11,1:00-2:00 pm ET. PQA's Melissa Castora-Binkley will discuss PQA’s work to improve the quality of oral anticancer medication use before a panel discussion on this work. Register today!.
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The 2024 PQA Annual Meeting takes place May 14-16, at the Baltimore Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Md. Make plans to join us! PQA’s collaborative approach makes its meetings a preferred destination for quality improvement professionals. Register to join us today!
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PQA's 2nd Quarter 2024 Stakeholder Advisory Meeting is June 5, 1:00-1:45 pm ET. PQA SAMs are members-only events that are held quarterly to share current and relevant measure development and maintenance updates. The registration link is in the Member Resources Library.