Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE:RAD) has announced Physician Direct ACO,
based in Sylvan Lake, Mich., as the latest healthcare provider to join
its Rite Aid Health Alliance initiative. Through Rite Aid Health
Alliance, physicians, Rite Aid pharmacists and special care coaches
provide comprehensive care and support to individuals with chronic and
poly-chronic health conditions, helping them achieve health improvement
goals established by their physicians.
“Since launching our Rite Aid Health Alliance program, we’ve received
positive feedback from our physician partners, care coaches, pharmacists
and patients alike,” said Robert Thompson, Rite Aid executive vice
president of pharmacy. “As we continue to expand Rite Aid Health
Alliance, we are excited to announce Physician Direct ACO as our latest
Rite Aid Health Alliance partner and to be working with them to improve
the health and wellbeing of the chronic and poly-chronic patients in
northern Oakland County.”
Rite Aid’s Health Alliance integrated care model is a first for the
drugstore industry, because it uniquely leverages the combined expertise
of community pharmacists, who are one of the most accessible and trusted
resources among healthcare providers, along with specially trained
in-store care coaches. Physicians can refer patients who they feel would
benefit from additional coaching in areas such as medication management
and meal and exercise planning. All members of the care team will
communicate regularly with physicians in a true partnership to improve
patients’ overall health.
“Through Rite Aid’s Health Alliance program, we’ll be able to further
our mission of being a leader in the delivery of high quality and cost
effective healthcare,” said Rodger Prong, Physician Direct ACO executive
director. “By working closely with Rite Aid pharmacists and care
coaches, physicians will be in an even greater position to help their
patients successfully manage their condition and achieve desired health
outcomes.”
Through Rite Aid Health Alliance, patients with chronic conditions, such
as congestive heart failure, COPD, high cholesterol and diabetes, are
recommended to the program by their primary care physician. Rite Aid
pharmacists and specially trained care coaches, located in Rite Aid
pharmacies, work with the physician and patient on an on-going basis to
improve the patient’s overall health and self-management abilities. The
care team members collaborate with the patient to establish health
goals, eliminate barriers and create a personalized health care action
plan in coordination with the patient’s physician.
Rite Aid previously announced that it is piloting Rite Aid Health
Alliance partnerships with High Point, N.C.-based Cornerstone Health
Care; Glendale, Calif.-based Apollo Medical Holdings, Inc.
(“ApolloMed”); Greater Buffalo United Accountable Healthcare Network of
Buffalo, N.Y.; Penn State Hershey Health System of Hershey, Pa.; and
Heritage Provider Network based in Marina Del Rey, Calif.
In these markets at select Rite Aid pharmacies, Rite Aid provides the
care coaches on the team through its wholly owned subsidiary Health
Dialog, a leading provider of healthcare patient support, analytics and
decision support. Health Dialog coaches will be available in Rite Aid
pharmacies, and specialize in behavior change to help patients address
lifestyle health issues.
The full range of services available to patients participating in Rite
Aid Health Alliance includes medication compliance support;
comprehensive medication reviews and reconciliation; nutrition and
weight management information; disease education; exercise coaching and
tobacco cessation support. Records of all interactions, which occur in
Rite Aid pharmacies, as well as updates from the physician, are stored
electronically, along with patient profiles including medications and
lab results. This supports continuity of care and provides convenient
access of information to other members of the patient’s healthcare team.
Rite Aid Corporation is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains
with nearly 4,600 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia and
fiscal 2014 annual revenues of $25.5 billion. Information about Rite
Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available
through the company's website at www.riteaid.com.
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