Navitus Earns 2021 Pharmacy Quality Alliance Award – High Achievement in Medication Quality Measures

MADISON, Wis., May 18, 2021 – Navitus Health Solutions, a full pass-through pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), today announced that it received the 2021 Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) Laura Cranston Excellence in Quality Award for its prescription drug plan (PDP), Navitus MedicareRx. The award was announced at PQA’s annual meeting on May 13, 2021.

The 2021 PQA Laura Cranston Excellence in Quality Award goes to PDPs with at least a 4.5 Medicare Part D summary rating and a 4-star rating on all five PQA medication measures used within the 2021 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Star Ratings Program. The five PQA measures include Medication Adherence for Diabetes Medications, Medication Adherence for Hypertension (RAS antagonists; Medication Adherence for Cholesterol (Statins); MTM Program Completion Rate for CMR; and Statin Use in Persons with Diabetes.

In 2021, Navitus MedicareRx received a 4.5 out of 5 summary rating, making it Navitus’ third year to receive a Star Rating of 4.5 and its fifth year to rank higher than any other PBM-sponsored Medicare PDP Employer Group Waiver Plan. Navitus is one of nine healthcare organizations to receive PQA’s Excellence in Quality Award for PDPs this year. Navitus’ PDP program is managed by Navitus and underwritten by Dean Health Insurance.

“The effective use of medications is a top issue for all care providers, and it is extremely important in the Medicare Part D program,” said PQA chief executive officer Micah Cost, PharmD, MS. “This year, PQA recognizes 16 plans for their exemplary management of medications for their Medicare members. The excellence and improvement recognized by these awards reflects Navitus’ and the other awarded organizations’ commitment to high quality medication use strategies by the plans and their partners to care for patients.”

Taking medications as prescribed is critical for improving member health outcomes and preventing unnecessary costs. However, medication non-adherence is a longstanding issue in the United States. In fact, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, medication is not taken as prescribed 50 percent of the time.¹ To help members navigate the complex medication journey, Navitus offers several tools designed to improve clinical outcomes, maximize interventions, reduce costs, and provide the personalized support members need to stay adherent.

“Foundational to Navitus’ MedicareRx program is providing best-in-class clinical care and superior customer service,” said Brent Eberle, senior vice president and chief pharmacy officer at Navitus. “There are many factors that may influence a member’s ability to adhere to their medications. As the pandemic exacerbates these barriers to adherence, especially among the senior population, this award affirms Navitus’ commitment to helping members receive the most benefit from their chronic disease medications through our high-touch, individualized services.”

PQA has issued annual quality awards since 2011, recognizing the nation’s highest achieving prescription drug plans for performance on PQA quality measures of medication safety and appropriate use. The awards reflect PQA’s mission and the vision that co-founder and former CEO Laura Cranston had for building an organization that protects patients and promotes optimal medication outcomes.

¹U.S Food & Drug Administration: Why You Need to Take Your Medications as Prescribed or Instructed

More About BRENT EBERLE

As Senior Vice President, Chief Pharmacy Officer, Brent oversees Navitus’ health strategies division, which is responsible for clinical and population health initiatives, drug utilization review programs, formulary and rebate management, and specialty pharmacy operations.