NMS myth busting series (#6)
This is the sixth of a series of articles to tackle some of the misconceptions around the New Medicine Service (NMS). The articles will cover a variety of aspects of NMS and aims to myth bust, to increase understanding of the service.
Myth: If a patient has been prescribed an NMS target medicine in the past and this is then stopped by the prescriber, the patient would be eligible for an NMS if the prescriber re-initiates the treatment.
Wrong! The Directions only allow the service to be provided to the patient on the first occasion that it is prescribed for them.
Myth: I can claim payment if contact with the patient cannot be made for the Intervention consultation (stage 2).
Wrong! If the Intervention consultation does not happen and contact with the patient cannot be made, the service is ended as incomplete and payment cannot be claimed for the Intervention consultation.
This must be recorded in the pharmacy’s clinical record for the service and the patient exits the service.
Myth: I can claim payment if contact with the patient cannot be made for the Follow-up consultation (stage 3).
Wrong! If the Follow-up consultation does not happen and contact with the patient cannot be made, the service is ended as incomplete and payment cannot be claimed for the Follow-up consultation.
This must be recorded in the pharmacy’s clinical record for the service and the patient exits the service.
Myth: If a patient is prescribed multiple new medicines at the same time, NMS consultation fees can be claimed for each of the new medicines.
Wrong! The NMS should cover all new medicines prescribed at the same time therefore only one consultation fee can be claimed.
