Integrated health plan–provider collaboration enables pharmacists to drive proactive diabetes management, improve adherence, and expand access to CGM and lifestyle support.
In an interview with Pharmacy Times, Elizabeth Senior, PharmD, senior clinical pharmacy specialist with UPMC Health Plan, and Esra Karslioglu-French, MD, MBA, clinical chief of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at UPMC, discussed how their experience with integrated health plan–provider collaboration enhances diabetes management through multidisciplinary care and proactive patient engagement.
Karslioglu-French emphasized that diabetes management extends far beyond periodic clinic visits, noting that most patients are managed in primary care settings and require continuous support between appointments. Collaboration with UPMC Health Plan enables the development of multidisciplinary care teams—including pharmacists, diabetes educators, dietitians, and health coaches—that help implement and reinforce treatment plans. This integrated model also leverages predictive analytics to identify high-risk patients and proactively connect them with resources to prevent complications and reduce unplanned care.
Senior highlighted the central role of pharmacists in identifying and engaging patients who may benefit from enhanced management, including those with adherence challenges, therapy gaps, or potential medication-related risks. Through telephonic outreach, pharmacists deliver comprehensive medication management tailored to individual patient needs, focusing on addressing adherence barriers, adverse effects, and access issues. They also coordinate directly with providers to optimize therapy and screen for social determinants of health, connecting patients with additional support services when needed.
