Health Break: Ask a pharmacist: Your questions, answered
A podcast for UPMC Health Plan members, Health Break is your quick guide to caring for your mental and physical health, prioritizing wellness, and making the most of your health insurance plan.
Episode 24: Take a Health Break with Teresa Messick
Teresa Messick, clinical pharmacy supervisor at UPMC Health Plan, takes a Health Break to describe how to connect with a pharmacist and ask questions using UPMC AnywhereCare.
Episode transcript:
Camille: Welcome to Health Break by UPMC Health Plan, your quick guide to health, wellness, and how to make the most of your health insurance plan. I’m your host, Dr. Camille Clarke-Smith. I help to oversee the quality of the plans and programs we offer at UPMC Health Plan.
Angelo: And I’m your co-host, Angelo Bartic. I’m a health coach on our Prescription for Wellness team who works with our members on making healthy lifestyle habits and setting goals. This is your…Health Break.
Hey, it’s Angelo Bartic. Today we’re chatting with Teresa Messick, clinical pharmacy supervisor at UPMC Health Plan, to learn about how to ask a pharmacist questions through UPMC AnywhereCare.* She’ll also share with us some of the most frequently asked questions and the answers. Teresa, thank you so much for being with us today.
Teresa: Thanks for having me.
Angelo: The pleasure is ours. To start off, tell me about the Ask a Pharmacist tool.
Teresa: The Ask a Pharmacist tool is where UPMC Health Plan members can speak with a licensed pharmacist utilizing the UPMC AnywhereCare platform. What’s really nice about this is it’s a video visit, so you can use the app on your mobile device, you can use your desktop or tablet to set up these appointments. Things that members may have questions or something that the pharmacist can help with is if a member has concerns about their medications, we can explore lower cost options, members receive tips from our pharmacists to get better results from your medications, and then also, we can collaborate with your provider and get support for the member that way.
Angelo: That’s fantastic. It sounds like the Ask a Pharmacist tool really grants some great benefit[s] to the members. What are some of the most common questions you get asked?
Teresa: We get so many different types of questions. So first a question may be like a member may say, hey, I’ve got this medication. I think I’m having some side effects. I’m kind of hesitant to start this new medication. Or maybe even is a med that they’ve started and they’re like, gosh, I don’t know if I want to continue this medication, maybe due to side effects or maybe the concern is cost. So, you know, we can work with the member to kind of discuss what their concern may be and help to find a solution for them.
A member may call and be concerned about their disease state. You know, maybe a member has diabetes, it’s not controlled. They want to get some answers on how to get optimal outcomes from their medication. So we can discuss the medications, you know, maybe best time of day to take them. We can help with coming up with ideas to remember to take their medication each time so that they don’t miss doses, but really kind of dive into their specific diabetes and how we can help to get the most optimal outcomes.
Somebody may call and say, you know, I’ve got some issues with getting my medications. And so we can discuss the concerns. Is it perhaps that they would benefit from a pharmacy that has free delivery or perhaps medication synchronization where a member can work with their pharmacy to get their meds to all come due, you know, at the same time so it’s convenient for them, or even special packaging. So really kind of working with the pharmacist, reviewing any concerns they may have and then talking about those concerns and helping them through them.
Angelo: Now that we understand the Ask a Pharmacist tool, can you tell us how to make an appointment to Ask a Pharmacist?
Teresa: The first thing to keep in mind is the Ask a Pharmacist tool is no cost to UPMC Health Plan members, and it is available to both pediatrics as well as adults. Appointments are available weekdays, so Mondays through Friday, generally 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and a member can typically obtain an appointment as soon as 15 minutes prior to the desired time.
Angelo: Teresa, thank you so much again for taking a Health Break with us and discussing the Ask a Pharmacist tool through UPMC AnywhereCare.
Teresa: Absolutely. Thanks for having me.
Angelo: Download the UPMC AnywhereCare app or visit anywherecare.upmc.com to get started.
Find show notes and more information at upmchealthplan.com/podcast. Join us as we continue exploring health, wellness, and how to make the most of your health insurance plan in the next episode of Health Break.
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes. It is not medical care or advice. Individuals in need of medical care should consult their personal care provider. Views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of UPMC Health Plan and its employees.
Related to this episode:
To speak with a licensed pharmacist through UPMC AnywhereCare*, download the app. Then:
- Log in to UPMC AnywhereCare or register for an account.
- Click the Ask a Pharmacist tile.
- If a pharmacist is available, choose Visit Now. If a pharmacist is not available, you can schedule an appointment.
About Teresa Messick:
Teresa Messick is a clinical pharmacy supervisor at UPMC Health Plan with over 10 years of professional pharmacy experience. After graduating from the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy, Teresa worked as a clinical program coordinator and clinical consultant in community pharmacy settings in Virginia and North Carolina. Teresa has been with UPMC Health Plan since 2019. In her current role, she supports and oversees her team who works telephonically with our members to help them get the best results from their medications.
About Dr. Camille Clarke-Smith:
Camille Clarke-Smith, EdD, is a program director in the Quality Improvement, Medicare Stars Department at UPMC Health Plan, where she leads the Medicare Faith and Wellness Program, a 3- to 12-week health and wellness challenge. She is also the founder of the nonprofit Transforming the Health of African American Women (THAW) Inc. She earned a doctorate in health and physical activity education from the University of Pittsburgh in addition to a master’s in exercise science and a bachelor’s in psychology and sociology. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in social work at Carlow University.
About Angelo Bartic:
Angelo Bartic is a health coach at UPMC Health Plan, working with members on creating sustainable lifestyle changes in weight management, nutrition, physical activity, tobacco cessation, and stress management. Beginning as a personal trainer, he quickly connected with his passion for helping others lead healthier lives. He earned a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and is currently pursuing his master’s in public health. Maintaining his personal training certification, Angelo recently became a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach. He enjoys time with his husband and friends participating in recreational sports (kickball and dodgeball) through an LGBTQIA+ sports organization called Stonewall Sports.
*UPMC Health Plan members who are in Pennsylvania at the time of a virtual visit may select a UPMC-employed provider, subject to availability and discretion of the provider. Members located outside of Pennsylvania at the time of service will receive care from a provider employed or contracted by Online Care Network II P.C. (OCN), also known as Amwell Medical Group. OCN is not an affiliate of UPMC. Limitations may apply for members of ASO plans that have opted out of coverage. Providers are not available to treat members who are in Puerto Rico.
UPMC for Life members who are in Pennsylvania at the time of a virtual visit may select a UPMC-employed provider, subject to availability and discretion of the provider. Members located outside of Pennsylvania at the time of service will receive care from a provider employed or contracted by Online Care Network II P.C. (OCN), also known as Amwell Medical Group. OCN is not an affiliate of UPMC. Providers are not available to treat members who are in Puerto Rico.
UPMC for You members located in Pennsylvania at the time of service will have a virtual visit with a UPMC-employed provider, subject to availability and discretion of the provider. Members located outside of Pennsylvania at the time of service will receive care from a provider employed or contracted by Online Care Network II P.C. (OCN), also known as Amwell Medical Group. OCN is not an affiliate of UPMC. During the COVID-19 emergency declaration, UPMC for You members located outside of Pennsylvania will receive service from OCN. After the COVID-19 emergency declaration, UPMC AnywhereCare virtual visits are not covered services when UPMC for You members are traveling outside of Pennsylvania. Providers are not available to treat members who are in Puerto Rico.
In order for a child to have a UPMC AnywhereCare visit, the child’s parent or legal guardian must be with the child during the video portion of the visit. Your child must be in Pennsylvania for UPMC for Kids to cover their virtual visit. You can use UPMC AnywhereCare in other states, but you will have to pay out-of-pocket for the cost of the visit. UPMC for Kids members who are in Pennsylvania at the time of a virtual visit may select a UPMC-employed provider, subject to availability and discretion of the provider. Members located outside of Pennsylvania at the time of service will receive care from a provider employed or contracted by Online Care Network II P.C. (OCN), also known as Amwell Medical Group. OCN is not an affiliate of UPMC. Providers are not available to treat members who are in Puerto Rico.
UPMC Community HealthChoices participants who are in Pennsylvania at the time of a virtual visit may select a UPMC-employed provider, subject to availability and discretion of the provider. Participants located outside of Pennsylvania at the time of service will receive care from a provider employed or contracted by Online Care Network II P.C. (OCN), also known as Amwell Medical Group. OCN is not an affiliate of UPMC. During the COVID-19 emergency declaration, UPMC Community HealthChoices participants located outside of Pennsylvania will receive service from OCN. After the COVID-19 emergency declaration, UPMC AnywhereCare virtual visits are not covered services when UPMC Community HealthChoices participants are traveling outside of Pennsylvania. Providers are not available to treat participants who are in Puerto Rico.
