Polypharmacy Program

Categories: Promote Health and Wellness

The Polypharmacy Program educates Premera members on drug safety and heightens awareness of the potential complexity and risks of taking multiple medications. Targeting adults who have used five or more maintenance medications, this program sends these members informational mailings with resources such as a brochure about potential drug interactions, a medication log to itemize current treatments and a brown bag for bringing all prescription drugs, herbal supplements and over-the-counter medications to their next doctor's appointment. This outreach supports physicians in talking with members about avoiding adverse drug events, verifying that patients are taking the correct doses and eliminating duplicative and unnecessary drugs.

Since its inception in June 2001, the program has distributed materials to more than 166,000 members. There has been a measurable decrease in inappropriate treatment or dosage: 29% reported medication changes, 64% reported dosage changes and 57% reported that a medication was stopped. Furthermore, 48% of participating providers found the project useful, while 44% agreed that the program helps to reduce medication-related complications and hospitalizations. This Blue Works Award-winning program led to a Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association promotional campaign. The selection panel at the Harvard Medical School stated, "This promotes an intervention at the most effective point of care, i.e., a face-to-face conversation between a member and provider."