Overview of the Communication Plan for the

Virginia MedicaidPreferred Drug List Program

Presentation to:

PDL/PA Implementation Advisory Group

Cheryl J. RobertsDepartment of Medical Assistance Services

September 11, 2003Richmond, Virginia

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Communication Plan

Communication and information dissemination will be a key component of Virginia’s new pharmacy program

Our goal is to execute a communication plan that focuses on:

– Informing the affected parties early

– Utilizing various communication and training methods

– Providing a clear and simple message

– Targeting the information to major stakeholders

– Providing help and assistance throughout the process

– Minimizing disruption

– Developing a plan to follow up on interventions

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Focused Communication Effort

A task force of DMAS and FHSC are formalizing the communication and education plan that will be launched in late October 2003

DMAS is utilizing both training and operational staff and FHSC has designated education specialists to the project

The PDL communication plan will be focused on 4 major groups– Prescribers– Pharmacists– Enrollees– Associations/Advocacy Groups/Agencies

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Proposed Communication Strategy for Prescribers/Associations

Multiple mailings: – informational– targeted by drug class

Communication will be targeted to top 150 prescribers by volume and regionalized

Web cast

Video conferencing

Site visits

Telephonic contact

Training Meetings for major health systems

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Proposed Communication Strategy for Prescribers/Associations

Information meetings with key agencies and associations

Meetings with nursing homes and associations

Possible PDA access

Open the call center in November in order to handle calls and training issues

Web site access for basic information: Virginia.FHSC.com

Materials submitted to association newsletters and web sites

Medicaid memos

Focused pre- and post- implementation surveys

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Proposed Communication Strategy for Pharmacists

Mailings Targeted long term care meetings Targeting communications to top 100 pharmacists Call center availability Access to prescriber meetings Information cards for pharmacy Soft edits and messaging prior to implementation Work closely with the Virginia Pharmacy Association Utilize experts: Pharmacy Liaison Committee,

PDL/PAIAG, DUR Board

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Proposed Communication Strategy for Enrollees/Advocates/Agencies

Inform and train groups who influence or educate enrollees

Meetings with affected Agencies

Mailings to affected enrollee population

Develop materials with simple clear message

Culturally sensitive materials in English and Spanish

Targeted meetings and posters at group sites, i.e. community centers and senior centers

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Questions for Committee

What additional groups or areas do you believe need special attention?

How do we best communicate to these targeted groups? What simple message should be communicated to each group? Which private (commercial) or public entity has communicated

these changes successfully? Timing - what is the appropriate timing of the release of this

information, i.e. 180 days to 1 day? How should the rollout be communicated after the first wave of

implementation? How can you assist in the creations and dissemination of

information?