When independent community pharmacies expand their service offerings, they’re taking steps to survive in today’s healthcare marketplace.
Expanding into clinical services can help pharmacies compete with national chain pharmacies, improve patient outcomes and boost their bottom line.
Offering immunizations is a great way to attract new patients and better serve your existing ones. It provides a more convenient option for patients to receive routine vaccines and can complement the medication adherence programs your pharmacy already offers.
Follow these tips to start an immunization program at your independent pharmacy.
1. Comply with state regulations
States set different requirements for which vaccines pharmacists are allowed to administer, and to which patients they can administer them. For example, some states have specific age requirements.
Additionally, state regulations vary regarding the reporting of administered vaccines, and whether pharmacists are required to collaborate with physicians to administer vaccines.
Do your research to make sure you understand and comply with your state’s regulations.
2. Understand reimbursements
It’s important to consider how your pharmacy can bill for vaccines.
While patients’ prescription drug benefits cover many vaccines, some vaccines are covered under their medical benefits.
And, health plans have varying co-pay or deductible requirements.
Make sure you understand how each patient’s health plan reimburses your pharmacy. You may want to automate the billing process or designate a specific employee to handle vaccine compensation.
3. Prepare for storage and administration
Vaccines have different storage requirements. For example, some may require refrigeration or freezing.
Know the storage requirements for the vaccines you order, create space for the additional inventory and make sure you have a way to monitor vaccine temperatures.
You should also have a private space to administer the vaccines to patients. Use an exam room or section off an area of your pharmacy with a privacy curtain.
4. Make personnel and workflow adjustments
When starting an immunization program, you have many factors to consider to avoid disrupting your pharmacy’s workflow.
For example, you need to designate which pharmacists will administer the vaccines and whether you will offer them by walk-in or by appointment only.
You may need to hire additional employees or delegate more responsibilities to pharmacy technicians to ensure pharmacists are available to administer vaccines.
5. Promote the program
If you don’t have a marketing plan to promote your new immunization program, it’s not going to be successful.
Market the service to patients with bag stuffers in prescription bags and hang posters around your pharmacy. You can also promote the service on digital platforms, such as on your social media accounts and through email marketing campaigns.
Additionally, you can partner with local physicians and other health care providers who can help you market the program by referring patients to your pharmacy as a convenient way to receive vaccines.
With some preparation, you can start a successful immunization program to benefit your independent pharmacy and your patients.
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