CMS and NCQA have identified certain medications with a high risk of side effects for elderly patients and recommend safer alternatives. Any high-risk medications prescribed to your Peoples Health patients are noted in Member Viewer under the HEDIS Tests and Pharmacy tabs.
The prescribing of high-risk medications to patients ages 65 and older and the use of medications that have potentially harmful effects in elderly patients with certain disease states are measured by the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS). CMS’ previously released update to the list of drugs having a high risk of adverse side effects in patients ages 65 and older is based on the American Geriatrics Society Beers Updated Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults.
You can also visit www.americangeriatrics.org to reference the American Geriatrics Society Updated Beers Criteria.