Lessons learned in updating and improving a state collaborative practice act

Medical costs and pharmaceutical price inflation are increasing at unsustainable rates in the United States. This economic reality is driving healthcare payers to demand that health professionals improve population health by transitioning from volume- to value-based reimbursement structures. To succeed in this new paradigm, patient outcomes must be improved in a cost-effective manner. To manage population health effectively, it is essential to optimize interdisciplinary care by ensuring that all team members practice “at the top of their license.” A popular strategy to achieve the dual aims of population health management and care team optimization is the implementation of the patient-centered medical home (PCMH). In the PCMH model, the physician is the “quarterback” who diagnoses patients and guides the healthcare team to improve patient outcomes.1 The pharmacist’s role is to serve as the medication expert, optimizing drug therapy for patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, asthma, and hyperlipidemia.2