January is Mental Wellness Month: Clearway Health Specialty Pharmacy Liaisons Provide Mental Health Relief for Patients During Diagnosis and Treatment Journey

Clearway Health specialty pharmacy liaisons work within health systems to help patients navigate the complex pathway to getting specialty medications and ensure they are getting the care they need along the care journey. One of the challenges many of these patients face in addition to their original diagnosis(es) is mental load. A diagnosis of a complex or chronic disease can impact the mental health of patients, families and caregivers by causing distress, anxiety, depression and loneliness.

Mental Wellness Month, observed during the month of January, is the perfect opportunity to recognize the unique role a specialty pharmacy liaison plays in providing mental health relief for patients during a diagnosis and treatment, a vulnerable time. Specialty pharmacy liaisons screen patients for mental health concerns and can recognize when medications may cause an increase in a mental health flare up. They then monitor for these risks as part of the long-term care of the patient. Specialty pharmacy liaisons help to ease fears by providing personalized support in navigating insurance coverage, obtaining financial assistance and gaining prior authorization approval to ensure patient prescriptions are filled, delivered and taken as prescribed.

Here are a few examples of Clearway Health specialty pharmacy liaisons helping to ease concerns during treatment and improve patient’s mental wellbeing.  

‍A summarized text exchange between the specialty pharmacy at The Brooklyn Hospital Center and a patient’s wife.

(Specialty Pharmacy) I understand you have very high copays for your husband’s cancer medications. We have a financial assistance program that can help.

(Patient’s wife) Yes we’ve been paying $900-$1,200/month!

(Specialty Pharmacy) I submitted your proof of insurance, and you were approved for $0 copay!

(Patient’s wife) This is a Christmas miracle!

A Thank You Card received by specialty pharmacy at Children’s National Hospital, for going above and beyond for a patient and her mom: helping her switch pharmacies and arranging for approvals from her insurance.

Card reads:

Dear Specialty Pharmacy,

There is no time more fitting to say “thank you” and to wish you a happy holiday season!

3) A patient sending an email of thanks to the specialty pharmacy at Signature Healthcare

“I want to recognize April from the pharmacy. I dreaded the transition of moving all of my scripts from CVS to Signature. However, April made this transition happen with such ease. Not only this, but she also consistently checks in and make sure my needs are met. For the bad days, I have, to no longer worry about scripts being there when I need them. This speaks volumes for her care and empathy.”

Specialty pharmacy liaisons are essential members of patients’ healthcare team and help to educate about the proper use of medications, how to take medication and avoid adverse events. They build strong provider-patient relationships which help improve mental wellbeing and improve the overall health of patients.

Mental Wellness Month is an important time to bring awareness to the importance of maintaining positive mental health and encourage patients and loved ones to seek help when needed. These stories reflect the important role specialty pharmacy liaisons play every day in lifting patients, families and caregivers up and providing mental health relief during challenging times.