What Is a Long-Term Care Pharmacy?

The long-term-care pharmacy plays an important role in providing services to assisted living, residential care, nursing homes, adult foster homes and community-based homes.

Definition

• A long-term care pharmacy works with facilities and patients to ensure medications and services are provided in a quick, efficient manner.

Services

• In addition to medication preparation, filling and delivery, a long-term care pharmacy can offer many different types of services. Many offer diabetic supplies, medical supplies such as: bandages, wound care and intravenous preparation. They also offer specialized medications and consultations. Some long-term care pharmacies offer mail-order services.

Pricing and Insurance

• Each long-term care pharmacy has its own payment requirements, but most accept Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance and offer self-pay options.

Education

• Some long-term care pharmacies have educational programs that are specially designed for staff of facilities, patients and families to educate you about health-related issues. They offer classes and workshops, often within the community.

Additional Benefits

• Long=term care pharmacies are not a regular walk-in pharmacy since they provide delivery. They have a support team that often consists of a nurse manager, billing representative and licensed pharmacist, and some offer 24-hour service for emergency medication.