MedVantx and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island Partner to Provide Physicians with Integrated Medication Management Platform in Newly Created Patient-Centered Medical Homes

PROVIDENCE, R.I., April 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MedVantx, Inc. and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) announced today that they are collaborating on an innovative initiative to provide Rhode Island Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) practices with free, initial courses of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications via the MedVantx automated, ATM-like, sample management system ("MedStart™") at the point of care in physician offices.

"We are excited to partner with MedVantx.  The MedStart™ system complements and supports better management of patients with chronic and complex health conditions, one of the primary goals of our Patient Centered Medical Home program.  Most patients included in the BCBSRI PCMH program suffer from significant medical conditions, which require the use of multiple medications. The MedVantx program nicely complements the BCBSRI PCMH program by affording providers with immediate access to low-cost medications, increasing the likelihood of patient compliance as well as satisfaction resulting from lower out of pocket costs," relayed Gus Manocchia, MD, Chief Medical Officer, BCBSRI.

The MedVantx Consumer Medication Management platform provides physicians with first ever access to a comprehensive formulary of free generic, brand, and over-the-counter medications covering chronic conditions through its MedStart system.  The MedStart system automates the traditional pharmaceutical sampling process for physicians; captures physician sampling data for inclusion in the patients' on-line medical record and provides consumers access to highly relevant drug and disease state educational materials.  Physicians also are able to extend the benefits of this program to offer care management support from licensed pharmacists and customer care specialists.  

 "The MedStart™ system nicely supports the Medical Home model, providing quick access to cost-effective medications geared at managing the conditions most prevalent within my complex patient population," stated Herbert Brennan, DO, a Providence, Rhode Island area physician.  "Patients are more likely to adhere to treatment recommendations when they can obtain an initial supply of their new medications conveniently at the physician's office."

The PCMH model emphasizes collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams of healthcare professionals in order to meet all of the patient's healthcare needs. Medication management is considered an integral component of the PCMH.  The inclusion of the MedVantx program improves the quality and safety of medication use, assures patient access to medications and drug information, and provides sample medication data capture that was previously unavailable.

"We look forward to expanding the relationship with BCBSRI by implementing MedStart™ systems into additional practices participating in the BCBSRI PCMH program," said Robert Feeney, Chief Executive Officer of MedVantx. "This initiative with BCBSRI and leading medical groups in Rhode Island supports our strategy to leverage the proven MedVantx consumer medication management platform, expand our program in Rhode Island and develop new programs for our participating payors to better navigate healthcare reform by reducing costs and enhancing quality."

About the Patient Centered Medical Home

Patients of a PCMH establish an ongoing relationship with a Primary Care Physician (PCP) who leads a team of other healthcare professionals in taking proactive steps to improve that patient's health.  Under this holistic approach, every aspect of a patient's care, including treatment options, drug regimens, and appointment scheduling, will be coordinated through the PCP, with support from a care team who will work together to improve that patient's health. Many of the patient's cared for within this model are prescribed multiple medications to treat co-morbid conditions. The MedStart™ system provides the ability for physicians to offer lower cost alternatives for these patients at the point of care, therefore, increasing the likelihood of medication compliance while also saving the patient money.

About Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is the state's leading health insurer and covers more than 600,000 members. The company is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visitwww.bcbsri.comand follow us on Twitter @BCBSRI.

About MedVantx, Inc.

MedVantx, recently recognized by Inc. Magazine as the fastest-growing privately held healthcare company in the country, is an innovative consumer medication management and delivery company committed to streamlining access, reducing costs and providing highly relevant information to benefit patients, physicians, health plans and manufacturers.  The MedVantx platform is a fully automated / integrated point of care to consumer home delivery channel focused on increasing the quality and cost effectiveness of the last non-managed pharmaceutical channel - the physician's office sample closet.  The Company's consumer medication management platform includes free initial prescription and over-the-counter medication therapy at the point of care; a consumer helpline providing drug information and reimbursement assistance and convenient consumer home delivery through its mail order pharmacy. The national MedVantx network has served over 2 million consumers through an integrated network including 16 health plans, 18 manufacturers and more than 3,600 prescribers.

For additional information about MedVantx and opportunities to participate in the program please contact MedVantx, Inc. at (858) 625-2990.

MedVantx Contact:
Susan Hogue
(412) 760-9469
susan.hogue@medvantx.com

BCBSRI Contact:
Kimberly Reingold
(401) 459-5611
kimberly.reingold@bcbsri.org

SOURCE MedVantx, Inc.; Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island