HMR Referrals – Expert Home Medicines Reviews for Safer, Healthier Lives
Home Medicines Review (HMRs) are conducted by a qualified pharmacist with the patient at their home to provide helpful advice on their medications and to optimise their effectiveness.
HMRs help avoid risks and hospitalisations which can occur when certain medications interact badly, when the wrong quantity is being taken, or when they’re being administered the wrong way. It’s an essential service for GPs to ensure their patients’ wellbeing and an opportunity to improve each patients’ understanding of how their medications work.
What Is A Home Medicine Review?
An HMR is a comprehensive review of medication taken by a patient and an assessment of their ability to administer them effectively. It’s most commonly required for patients who are taking five or more daily medications, or those whose circumstances have recently changed (e.g., a recent discharge from hospital).
The goal is to assess the type, quantity and effectiveness of medicines prescribed and to ensure they are all being taken safely. It provides an extra level of security against unnecessary duplication of medications, adverse reactions, or a failure of benefit due to incorrect dosage.
Our Home Medicines Review Services
Medicare Item 900
A Home Medicines Review (or DMMR) is item 900 on the Medicare benefit schedule. It’s a vital part of health management and is now easier and more accessible to claim than ever before. Eligible patients have a review of medication and an assessment of effectiveness, risk of interaction or misadventure. The review may improve the patient’s knowledge and confidence in their medications as well as provide a check for possible improvements to their regimen.
Accredited Pharmacists
Accredited pharmacists are assigned to conduct HMRs because they have the necessary assessment and accreditation standards required for the role. Only an accredited pharmacist is qualified to manage prevention of issues relating to a patient’s dosage or medications. With HMR Referrals, these health professionals receive a consistent flow of referrals from local GPs and they apply their clinical knowledge to gather information, prepare reports, and submit them directly to the GP—all on one easy, intuitive platform.
General Practitioners
General Practitioners play a key role in identifying patients in their care who may benefit from a home medicine review. Problems occur when an accredited pharmacist just can’t be found, when reports take too long, or simply aren’t up to standard.HMR Referrals removes the administrative burden from GPs and helps them find a qualified pharmacist fast. With timely reviews, detailed reports and direct messaging, we’re improving the health outcomes of everyday Australians.
Why Choose HMR Referrals for Home Medicines Reviews?
For patient safety and better health outcomes HMR Referrals is the efficient, specialised service you’ve been looking for. We provide:
Fast and streamlined referrals
Face to face interviews with qualified accredited pharmacists
Bulk billed service and quick payments for home medication review MBS item 900
Reduced risk of medication misadventure
Better patient understanding of dosage and risks
Suitable for patients with complex treatment plans or those having trouble managing their medications
Enhanced collaboration between medical professionals
A consistent stream of referrals from GPs
Who Can Benefit from a Home Medicines Review?
An HMR may be suitable for patients who take multiple medications, have recently changed prescriptions, have chronic conditions, experience side effects, or struggle with adherence. It’s especially helpful for older adults, those recently discharged from hospital, or anyone at risk of medication-related problems.
How The HMR Referral Process Works
Step 1:
GPs assess their eligible patients who may be due for an HMR. Factors like the patient’s age, the number of medications they are taking, whether they’ve been recently discharged from hospital—or if they’re not responding to certain treatments as well as expected—all come into consideration.
Step 2:
The GP completes an HMR Referral using our online form which integrates with your PMS, pre-populating the patient information. This provides all the relevant clinical information for the pharmacist. A referral is sent via our secure messaging system.
Step 3:
The pharmacist conducts a private interview with the patient. They’ll discuss all the medications being taken how they are being stored and how they are being administered. The pharmacist can offer the patient practical help or advice and makes an informed assessment on how well they’re able to manage their medications.
Step 4:
The GP receives the accredited pharmacist’s report and reviews the findings with their patient. They will then discuss a new medication management plan accordingly. Further communication and follow up with the pharmacist can be arranged directly via the HMR Referrals portal.
Step 5:
The GP bills Medicare Item 900. The general practitioner claims for the service under the Medicare Benefits Schedule Item 900.
HMR Referrals’ streamlined service ensures patients are well looked after throughout the entire process and the review is managed carefully and efficiently. We make the provision of a safe and effective home medication review easy to implement by improving collaboration between health professionals.
Get Started With HMR Referrals Today
Improve your patient care by registering with HMR Referrals today. It’s free and simple to join and we’re available to discuss any questions with you via our online form, by phone or email.
Avoid unexpected outcomes that may be harming your patients’ health and improve their medication understanding by initiating a courteous home medicines review conducted by an authorised pharmacist. HMR Referrals takes the hassle out of booking and makes sure you get the very best in professional help, so you can provide the very best care.