The University of Florida (UF) Health has been selected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to lead a program that could reduce the health disparity gap in some Jacksonville communities by connecting patients with community pharmacists for help managing high blood pressure.
The Hypertension Pharmacists’ Program is scheduled to start this summer with the goal of expanding access to blood pressure care for the city’s medically underserved, predominantly Black communities.
The program aims to increase treatment for high blood pressure by embedding clinical pharmacists within a patient’s primary care team. The effort, facilitated by the UF Health Jacksonville Office of Community Engagement, is a collaboration among the UF Health Total Care Clinic – Jacksonville, the UF College of Pharmacy and Panama Pharmacy, and it will allow patients to see a specially trained pharmacist at a community pharmacy and seek individualized care and education.
Also in Florida, beginning July 1, 2024, hearing services for UnitedHealthcare of Florida, Inc. (United) will be provided by Audiology Distributors, LLC dba HearUSA. United is a Statewide Medicaid Managed Care plan operating in regions 3, 4, 6 and 11.
Providers that are out of network for hearing services as of July 1, will be eligible for a 60-day continuity of care period where claims will be payable to allow time for members to transition to a new provider, if necessary. All members were notified by mail of this transition. Members can still see their provider for up to sixty (60) days if they are currently receiving care from that provider. The continuity of care period will end on August 30.
If you are interested in becoming a participating provider with United for hearing services, please call HearUSA Member Services at 855-917-1967 or visit the HearUSA website.
For questions regarding this transition, contact United’s Customer Service Department at 1-877-842-3210.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.