The PACE Monthly Dose
Clinical updates and outcomes for the PACE community. 
August 2018
PACE Case: Diabetes Management

A 67-year-old female participant with a history of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and GERD is newly enrolled in PACE. Upon initial examination, the participant complains of arthritic pain. Additionally, she reveals that she has been having increased episodes of hypoglycemia since being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a few years ago, despite being on a regimented meal and exercise plan. The physician is curious as to why her blood glucose numbers keep fluctuating.

PACE Executive Director Advisory Panel Meeting

CareKinesis hosted its inaugural meeting of the PACE Executive Director Advisory Panel at our headquarters on June 21 - 22. Similar to the Clinical Advisory Panel, which engages PACE Medical Directors for insight and input, this Advisory Panel was formed to further engage with our PACE CEOs/Executive Directors. CareKinesis also shared the science and practice methodology behind the services provided.


Thank you to all those who attended! We look forward to hosting this information sharing event annually. We invite all Executive Directors of our client organizations to consider attending next year's event tentatively scheduled for June 19- 21, 2019.
CareKinesis Signs Agreements with SpiriTrust Lutheran LIFE and Total Life Healthcare

CareKinesis recently signed agreements with SpiriTrust Lutheran LIFE (Living Independence for the Elderly) and Total Life Healthcare.

SpiriTrust Lutheran LIFE has centers in Chambersburg and Enola, PA, and serves qualified seniors in three counties. Total Life Healthcare, located in Jonesboro, AR, works in partnership with St. Bernard's Medical Center and the East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging to serve eligible seniors in seven counties.
 
2018 National PACE Association (NPA) Annual Conference

We look forward to seeing you at the NPA Annual Conference in Portland, OR, on October 21-24.  CareKinesis and Capstone Performance Systems are pleased to co-host a PACE Education and Appreciation Dinner on Sunday, October 21. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a networking reception. Dinner, which will include a wine and cider tasting event, will start at 6:30 p.m. We hope to see you at the Portland Hilton Downtown!
CMS 1/3 Part D Financial Audit

CMS has started sending notices to PACE plans that have been selected for the 2017 round of the 1/3 Financial Audits.  Whether or not you've experienced an audit before, CareKinesis is prepared to support you with all of the necessary data and documentation regarding Payment Year 2017.

If you are notified of an audit, it is crucial that you share your audit information with CareKinesis as soon as possible to meet auditing deadlines, and of course, contact your Client Liaison with any questions that you may have.
The Future of Drug Rebates


Earlier this summer, the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions held a hearing in which Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar discussed the possibility of the current administration changing or eliminating rebates on drug list prices. He suggested moving toward a non-rebate system where pharmacies and drug companies could negotiate fixed-price contracts.

Read the complete article on  FirstWord Pharma .
Training for PACE Participants

CareKinesis pharmacist Frances Ulmer, PharmD, BCGP recently visited a PACE partner during the facility's annual Education Week. She addressed diabetes care and counseled participants on proper insulin therapy and hypoglycemia management. The sessions were well received, and the participants appreciated the refresher training.

If you are interested in scheduling training for your participants, please contact us today!
New "Prescription Schedules" and Labels at CVS do not Replace CareKinesis' Time of Administration Guidance

CareKinesis Fridge Profile
CareKinesis provides access to over 60,000 community pharmacies through its network, including CVS. CVS recently launched its new label showing the times to take prescribed medication known as 'ScriptPath.' However, these schedules and labels will not account for all PACE-specific medication safety factors considered by CareKinesis pharmacists and software. To ensure the safest possible administration times, please advise your PACE participants who receive such schedules to adhere to their CareKinesis Patient-Friendly Profiles (a.k.a., "Fridge Profiles") instead. 
Quote of the Month

" CareKinesis offers the best customer service from any company I have worked with. 
Always helpful. Intelligent employees."  

- Elaine Tinsley, Center Manager, LIFE PACE Tulsa
Upcoming Events & Reminders

August
  • 14 - Changes in Liver Function Affecting Drug Response, 8:00 a.m. EDT
  • 28 - Management of Fungal Infections in Geriatric Patients, 8:00 a.m. EDT
September
  • 3 - Labor Day reminder: CareKinesis is on call-only; medication cycles will be processed and delivered early
  • 11 - Management of Heart Failure in the Out-Patient Setting, 8:00 a.m. EDT
  • 13 - EireneRx 101 Training, 11:00 a.m. EDT
  • 25 - Appropriate Use of PPIs for Treatment and Prophylaxis, 8:00 a.m. EDT
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