Robert Burnside, Jr., of Nursing Home Consultant Pharmacy in Easley, South Carolina, has no problem with capitation as long as the rate is fair, which he thinks it is in his state. It lends predictability for both the provider and the payer. We look at our work in the nursing homes as preventive maintenance. 14 Burnside explains that the capitated rate is satisfactory for his company because it has built good relationships with physicians over the years. And we always stress that our first obligation is to the patient, to the clinical efficacy of the drug.
Cost is secondary.
Although South Carolina's Medicaid program does not include consulting pharmacy services, Burnside sees considerable promise in capitating such services. A survey of nursing homes could give you prevailing rates. Proper consulting and intervention saves managed care organizations money, even if it increases dosages, because it leads to fewer rehospitalizations. 16 Burnside believes he soon will be marketing to MCOs rather than nursing homes. Even more so than nursing homes, progressive MCOs understand the value of consulting services in keeping down overall costs while improving quality.