Yes, there are 5 key components that make up a medication therapy management (MTM) plan. These components work together to help patients use their medications safely and get the best results from their treatment.
The 5 components are: medication therapy review, personal medication record, medication-related action plan, intervention and referral, and documentation and follow-up. Each part plays an important role in making sure patients understand their medications and stay healthy.
This guide will explain each component in simple terms and help you understand how MTM plans can improve your health and medication management.
Understanding Medication Therapy Management Plans
Medication therapy management is a service that helps patients get the most benefit from their medications while staying safe. MTM is designed to be distinct from medication-dispensing services by their use of a patient-centric and comprehensive approach, rather than an individual product or episodic perspective.
Medication-related problems are especially common among older adults. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, individuals 65 years or older use more than 30 percent of all prescription medications despite making up only 13 percent of the U.S. population.
MTM plans became more common after Medicare started covering these services in 2006. Now, many pharmacies offer MTM services to help patients manage their medications better.
Component 1: Medication Therapy Review
What Is a Medication Therapy Review?
A medication therapy review is when your pharmacist looks at all your medications to make sure they’re working well for you. The MTR can be comprehensive or targeted, depending on the needs of the patient.
During this review, your pharmacist will ask about:
- All prescription medications you take
- Over-the-counter medicines and supplements
- How you’re feeling on your current medications
- Any side effects you’ve noticed
- Whether you’re having trouble taking your medications
Types of Medication Reviews
There are two main types of medication reviews:
Comprehensive Medication Review (CMR) This is a complete review of everything you take. A Comprehensive Medication Review (CMR) is an in-depth, patient-centered evaluation of all medications a patient is taking, including prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, and vitamins.
Targeted Medication Review (TMR) This focuses on specific medications or problems that need attention right away.
Benefits of Medication Reviews
Regular medication reviews help:
- Find medications that might not be working
- Spot dangerous drug interactions
- Identify medications you might not need anymore
- Make sure you’re taking the right doses
Research shows that medication errors affect millions of Americans each year, making regular reviews an important safety measure.
Component 2: Personal Medication Record
Creating Your Medication List
A personal medication record is a complete list of all the medications you take. The generation of a personal medication report, which is a written list of the patient’s prescription and nonprescription drugs, herbal products, and dietary supplements.
This list includes:
- Name of each medication
- Strength or dose
- How often you take it
- What it’s used for
- Who prescribed it
Why Keep a Personal Medication Record?
Having an up-to-date medication list helps you:
- Remember what medications you take
- Share accurate information with doctors and pharmacists
- Avoid dangerous drug interactions
- Keep track of changes to your medications
Keeping Your List Current
Your medication record should be updated whenever:
- You start a new medication
- You stop taking a medication
- Your dose changes
- You switch to a different brand or generic version
Make sure to bring your medication list to every doctor visit and pharmacy trip.
Component 3: Medication-Related Action Plan
What Is a Medication Action Plan?
A medication-related action plan is a personalized guide that helps you manage your medications. A patient-directed medication action developed in collaboration with the patient.
This plan includes:
- Clear instructions for taking each medication
- What to do if you miss a dose
- Side effects to watch for
- When to call your doctor or pharmacist
Working With Your Pharmacist
Your pharmacist will work with you to create an action plan that fits your life. They’ll consider:
- Your daily schedule
- Other health conditions you have
- Medications that might interact with each other
- Your goals for treatment
Following Your Action Plan
A good action plan makes it easier to:
- Take medications at the right times
- Know what to expect from your treatment
- Recognize when something isn’t working
- Stay motivated to stick with your treatment
Component 4: Intervention and Referral
When Interventions Are Needed
Sometimes your pharmacist will find problems that need to be fixed. During an MTM encounter, the pharmacist uncovers and itemizes medication-related problems that may be amenable to an outside referral.
Common problems include:
- Taking medications that don’t work well together
- Taking the wrong dose
- Having side effects that could be prevented
- Missing medications you need
Types of Interventions
Your pharmacist might:
- Talk to your doctor about changing a medication
- Suggest a different way to take your medication
- Recommend over-the-counter products to help with side effects
- Refer you to another healthcare provider
Coordinating Your Care
Coordination of care, including documenting MTM services and providing that documentation to the patient’s other providers and referring patients to other providers as needed.
Your pharmacist will work with your healthcare team to make sure everyone knows about any changes to your medications.
Component 5: Documentation and Follow-Up
Keeping Track of Your Progress
Documentation means keeping records of all MTM services you receive. This helps your healthcare team:
- See what problems have already been addressed
- Track how well your medications are working
- Make better decisions about your care
Regular Follow-Up Care
Follow-up is an important part of MTM. Requirements for Medicare Part D MTM programs include a followup component at least quarterly following an initial comprehensive medication review.
During follow-up visits, your pharmacist will:
- Check how you’re doing on your medications
- See if any problems have been solved
- Look for new issues that might have come up
- Update your medication list and action plan
Staying Connected
Regular follow-up helps ensure:
- Your medications keep working well
- New problems get caught early
- Your treatment plan stays up to date
- You feel supported in managing your health
How MTM Components Work Together
All five components of MTM work as a team to help you get the best results from your medications. Here’s how they connect:
- Review finds problems with your current medications
- Record keeps track of what you’re taking
- Action Plan gives you clear steps to follow
- Intervention fixes problems that are found
- Follow-up makes sure everything keeps working
When all these parts work together, you’re more likely to:
- Take your medications correctly
- Avoid dangerous side effects
- Reach your health goals
- Feel confident about your treatment
Who Can Benefit From MTM Services?
MTM services can help many different people, but they’re especially useful for those who:
- Take multiple medications (usually 4 or more)
- Have chronic health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure
- Have had problems with medications in the past
- Are at risk for drug interactions
- Have trouble remembering to take medications
Medicare Coverage for MTM
Each Part D Sponsor is required to incorporate a Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Program into their plans’ benefit structure.
If you have Medicare Part D, you might qualify for free MTM services if you:
- Have multiple chronic conditions
- Take several Part D covered medications
- Have high medication costs each year
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services sets specific criteria for MTM eligibility, helping ensure that patients who need these services most can access them at no additional cost.
Getting Started With MTM
Finding MTM Services
Many local pharmacies offer MTM services. When looking for MTM services, ask about:
- What’s included in their MTM program
- How often you’ll meet with the pharmacist
- Whether your insurance covers the services
- What forms you’ll need to fill out
Preparing for Your First MTM Visit
Before your first MTM appointment:
- Gather all your medications, including over-the-counter items
- Write down any questions or concerns you have
- Bring your insurance cards
- Make a list of any side effects you’ve experienced
What to Expect
During your MTM visit, your pharmacist will:
- Review all your medications carefully
- Ask about your health goals and concerns
- Check for any problems or interactions
- Create your personal medication record
- Develop an action plan with you
Working With Your Healthcare Team
Communication Is Key
MTM works best when everyone on your healthcare team stays connected. Your pharmacist will share important information with:
- Your primary care doctor
- Specialist doctors you see
- Other pharmacists who might fill your prescriptions
Your Role in MTM
You play an important part in making MTM successful. You can help by:
- Being honest about how you take your medications
- Asking questions when you don’t understand something
- Following the action plan you create together
- Keeping appointments for follow-up visits
Common MTM Success Stories
Many patients see real improvements from MTM services:
Better Blood Sugar Control Patients with diabetes often get better blood sugar control when their medications are reviewed and adjusted through MTM. Studies have shown that pharmacist-led medication management can significantly improve diabetes outcomes.
Fewer Side Effects MTM can help identify medications causing problems and find better alternatives.
Lower Costs Sometimes MTM finds ways to reduce medication costs without affecting treatment quality.
Improved Quality of Life When medications work better, patients often feel better and can do more of the activities they enjoy.
Technology and MTM
Modern MTM programs often use technology to make services better:
- Electronic medication records that stay up to date
- Apps that remind you to take medications
- Online portals where you can ask your pharmacist questions
- Systems that check for drug interactions automatically
The Future of Medication Therapy Management
MTM services continue to grow and improve. New developments include:
- More insurance plans covering MTM services
- Better ways to identify patients who need MTM
- Improved technology for tracking medication use
- More pharmacists trained in MTM services
Making the Most of Your MTM Experience
Tips for Success
To get the most from MTM services:
- Be open and honest with your pharmacist
- Keep your medication list updated
- Follow your action plan as closely as possible
- Don’t skip follow-up appointments
- Ask questions when you’re confused
Building a Strong Relationship
The best MTM results come when you build a good relationship with your pharmacist. This means:
- Using the same pharmacy when possible
- Getting to know your pharmacist by name
- Sharing your health goals and concerns
- Trusting their professional advice
Common Questions About MTM
How much does MTM cost? Many insurance plans, including Medicare Part D, cover MTM services at no cost to qualifying patients.
How long does an MTM visit take? Initial visits usually take 30-60 minutes, while follow-up visits are often shorter.
Can I get MTM if I only take a few medications? Yes, even patients taking just one or two medications can benefit from MTM services.
Will my doctor know about my MTM visits? Yes, your pharmacist will share important information with your healthcare team.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the 5 components of medication therapy management can help you take better care of your health. Whether you’re managing multiple chronic conditions or just want to make sure you’re using your medications safely, MTM services offer valuable support.
The five components – medication therapy review, personal medication record, medication-related action plan, intervention and referral, and documentation and follow-up – work together to help you get the best results from your treatment. By working with your pharmacist through an MTM program, you can feel more confident about your medications and take control of your health.
If you think MTM services might help you, talk to your pharmacist or doctor about getting started. Many patients find that MTM makes managing their medications easier and helps them feel better overall.
Consider visiting your local pharmacy to learn more about MTM services available in your area. Taking charge of your medication management is an important step toward better health and peace of mind.