More Than a Script Gives Blue Cross NC Members More Personalized Care at the Pharmacy

23 Jul 2024

New program reimburses independent pharmacists for helping members manage their care

Durham, N.C. - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) is helping members get increased access to personalized care, for free. With the new program, More Than a Script, independent pharmacists are reimbursed for working with members more closely to manage their conditions, including one-on-one attention, helping make health care more affordable and accessible, especially in rural parts of the state.

More Than a Script will initially focus on diabetes and hypertension by incentivizing pharmacists to use their full training to work one-on-one with members to provide services like medication education, meal planning, blood sugar tests, and other recommendations such as screenings and vaccinations. The pharmacist will also collaborate with the member's primary care team. This type of care is critical in addressing North Carolina's diabetes and hypertension epidemic. More than a million people in the state have diagnosed diabetes and incur medical expenses at about 2.3 times higher than those who do not have diabetes[i].

"Independent pharmacists have a unique position in their communities, and we want our members to feel comfortable asking them to be a partner in improving their health," said Dr. Stephen Friedhoff, senior vice president of health care services at Blue Cross NC. "Enhanced access to health care services leads to improved outcomes. By giving pharmacists and members the power to work more closely together, we're helping make health care better while lowering costs."

With independent pharmacies in North Carolina counties from the mountains to the coast, More Than a Script, offered by Blue Cross NC, is one of the largest voluntary programs in the nation of its kind. Participating pharmacies will reach out to eligible members to schedule appointments, which can be held in person, virtually on video over the phone.

Independent pharmacists receive technical training on the program from the health care technology vendor, DocStation, and clinical and operational training from the Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network North Carolina (CPESN NC) and the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, making it a truly collaborative model to help make health care better for all in North Carolina.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina:

Blue Cross NC, the leading not-for-profit health plan in North Carolina, is committed to making health care more affordable, easier to navigate, and accessible for all. Since 1933, the health insurer has created programs and initiatives to provide North Carolinians the opportunity to be healthy. Blue Cross NC serves its customers and communities of more than 4.2 million members, including approximately 1.1 million on behalf of other Blue Plans. Blue Cross NC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit Blue Cross NC online at bluecrossnc.com. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

About DocStation:
DocStation is a leading provider of innovative pharmacy software solutions, dedicated to empowering pharmacists as front-line providers delivering exceptional patient care. With a focus on leveraging technology to advance pharmacy practice, DocStation offers a range of features and functionalities that integrate into workflow, enhance revenue generation, improve patient outcomes and reduce cost of care