Unlocking the Value of Wisconsin's Community Pharmacies
by Kari Trapskin, PharmD, Helene McDowell, MS
Abstract:
Community pharmacies are increasingly expected to deliver patient-centered clinical services while navigating operational pressures and thin margins. In Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Pharmacy Quality Collaborative (WPQC) and the Wisconsin Medicaid medication therapy management (MTM) program provide a foundation for sustainable pharmacist-led care through patient-centered, chronic disease management and clinical education. However, pharmacies vary widely in their organizational readiness, workflows, staffing models, and billing confidence. Supported by the Community Pharmacy Foundation, the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin and the Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network of Wisconsin (CPESN-WI) launched a 12‑month statewide initiative beginning in January 2026 to coach 75 WPQC pharmacies toward higher levels of MTM engagement and, where applicable, pharmacist provider medical billing for Wisconsin Medicaid members. Pharmacies were stratified into three cohorts using recent Medicaid MTM claims utilization data and are receiving tailored, peer-to-peer coaching from pharmacist and technician coaches with experience implementing WPQC. The clinical focus of the project is chronic, uncontrolled asthma, including the delivery of an initial and follow-up asthma-focused comprehensive medication review and assessment service for at least 10 Medicaid patients per pharmacy. This article describes the rationale, program design, coaching model, planned evaluation approach, and expected outcomes related to practice transformation, patient care, and pharmacy sustainability.
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2026 May/June Table of Contents
Abstract:
Community pharmacies are increasingly expected to deliver patient-centered clinical services while navigating operational pressures and thin margins. In Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Pharmacy Quality Collaborative (WPQC) and the Wisconsin Medicaid medication therapy management (MTM) program provide a foundation for sustainable pharmacist-led care through patient-centered, chronic disease management and clinical education. However, pharmacies vary widely in their organizational readiness, workflows, staffing models, and billing confidence. Supported by the Community Pharmacy Foundation, the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin and the Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network of Wisconsin (CPESN-WI) launched a 12‑month statewide initiative beginning in January 2026 to coach 75 WPQC pharmacies toward higher levels of MTM engagement and, where applicable, pharmacist provider medical billing for Wisconsin Medicaid members. Pharmacies were stratified into three cohorts using recent Medicaid MTM claims utilization data and are receiving tailored, peer-to-peer coaching from pharmacist and technician coaches with experience implementing WPQC. The clinical focus of the project is chronic, uncontrolled asthma, including the delivery of an initial and follow-up asthma-focused comprehensive medication review and assessment service for at least 10 Medicaid patients per pharmacy. This article describes the rationale, program design, coaching model, planned evaluation approach, and expected outcomes related to practice transformation, patient care, and pharmacy sustainability.
Download PDF
2026 May/June Table of Contents