HOME MEDICines REVIEW (HMR)
WHAT IS A HOME MEDICINES REVIEW (HMR)?
A Home Medicines Review (HMR) is a free service provided jointly by general practitioners and pharmacists. The HMR program aims to enhance the quality use of medicines and reduce adverse medicine events through a medication review conducted by an accredited consultant pharmacist in the patient's home.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A HMR?
A patient will be eligible for a HMR if they have a current Medicare/Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) card, are living at home and are at risk of experiencing medication misadventure. The Australian Government will fund one HMR every two years or on request from yourself following a clinical incident such as a fall or hospital visit.
HMR services are appropriate for people who are:
Regularly taking 5 or more medicines.
Taking over 12 daily doses of medicine.
Experiencing significant changes to their medicine regimen.
Experiencing symptoms suggestive of an adverse medicine reaction.
Taking medicine with a narrow therapeutic index or requires therapeutic monitoring.
Having difficulty managing their own medicines due to low level literacy and language skills or impaired sight.
Attending a number of different doctors, both GPs and specialists.
Recently discharged from hospital.
The HMR service is not available to in-patients of public or private hospitals, day hospital facilities, transition care facilities or to residents of an Aged Care Facility (ACF).
Further information can be found at: Home Medication Review Program Rules
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN A hMR?
The process involves two consultations for the GP; one to identify potential patients and arrange for the review, and a second consultation after the pharmacist’s interview and report to discuss the findings and implement any action.
An accredited pharmacist comprehensively reviews the patient’s medication regimen in a home visit. This review will provide you with comprehensive, up-to-date information about the medicines, complementary products, over-the-counter medicines, devices and other prescriptions being used by your patient. Any potential problems are minimised or resolved either immediately or following discussion of the pharmacist’s report and findings, and subsequently the GP and patient agree on a medication management plan.
Payment for the review under the MBS Item 900 , will not occur until after the second patient consultation.
Whether prompted by a clinical incident or medical need, you will need to complete a referral form for your patient, to either a community pharmacy or directly to an accredited pharmacist. The referral should include the reason for referral and all relevant prescribing and clinical history.
Direct referral can be made to an accredited pharmacist who is not aligned with a Section 90 pharmacy or to an accredited pharmacist who works for a Section 90 pharmacy.
Download the GP HMR Referral Form (MBS Item 900) and discuss the benefits of HMR with your patient.
how do i refer a patient?
COST OF HMR (FEES & CLAIMS)
After a Medication Management Plan is created and a copy offered to the patient/community pharmacy/pharmacist, GPs can claim $157.30 for a fully completed MBS Item 900. Benefits under Item 900 are payable only once in each 12 month period. An exception may be made where there has been a significant change in the patient’s condition or medication regimen requiring a new HMR.
More information about the Medicare Benefits Schedule at MBS Online: www.mbsonline.gov.au.
There is no cost to the patient.
Accredited pharmacists are reimbursed by the 6CPA. The patient interview must be conducted by the accredited pharmacist within ninety (90) days of the date of the referral, for the pharmacist to be remunerated under the Home Medicines Review program.
I would be delighted to make a mutually convenient time to discuss how we can work together to improve your patients’ medication regimen and compliance. I can provide details of time frames, and examples of all the forms required for both referral and MBS claims.