BELLINGHAM, Wash., Oct. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Sterling Health Plans announces a new partnership to help members covered by its health insurance plans get the best results from their medications. The new initiative, called a Medication Therapy Management program (MTM), is managed by Outcomes Pharmaceutical Health Care and will cover all Sterling Health Plans’ members. The MTM program is designed to prevent potential drug complications while providing possible cost savings for the member.

Sterling Health Plans new MTM program, will more closely integrate pharmacists into the health care delivery system. “Many consumers, especially seniors, are prone to complications and complexity surrounding their medications,” said Sonya King, Pharm.D., vice-president of Pharmacy for Sterling Health Plans. “This program will help these patients stay on the right track with their medications,” she added.

Sterling Health Plans members may meet one-on-one with a specially trained “Personal Pharmacist” in their area for a comprehensive medication review consisting of an assessment of all the patient’s prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins and supplements. If any potential problems or cost savings opportunities are discovered, the pharmacist will work with the member and their doctors to address them. Following the medication review, the pharmacist will provide ongoing services to optimize the patient’s medication therapy.

Medication Therapy Management was coined by Congress in the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 to describe services by pharmacists that help consumers get the best results from medications through enhanced consumer understanding of medications; increased consumer adherence to medication directions; and prevention of drug complications, conflicts and interactions.

About Sterling Life Insurance Company

Established in 1958, Sterling Life Insurance Company is rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best, and is dedicated to providing a variety of affordable healthcare solutions to Medicare beneficiaries. Sterling is licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and has offices across the country. Sterling is a subsidiary of Munich Health North America, Inc. For more information, visit www.sterlingplans.com.

About Outcomes Pharmaceutical Health Care

Outcomes Pharmaceutical Health Care is the national leader in the design, delivery, and administration of Medication Therapy Management programs. The company’s service line benefits health care purchasers by delivering a cost effective approach to advancing patient care and controlling utilization through the provision of patient-friendly, face-to-face personal pharmacist services. The company is headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa and may be found online at www.getoutcomes.com.

SOURCE Sterling Health Plans