Kimberly Westrich Highlights How to Use Medications Thoughtfully in ACOs

Kimberly Westrich, director for health services research for the National Pharmaceutical Council, explained why accountable care organizations should consider medications an essential part of condition management.

She pointed out that medications can help lower costs by preventing hospital readmissions, while aos achieving the important quality benchmarks that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and other organizations are looking for.

“An ACO that would thoughtfully use pharmaceuticals to maximize patient care can meet both their cost and quality benchmarks,” she said. “And that’s the best way to be using them.”