If you’re looking to expand your pharmacy operations to start serving long-term care (LTC) facilities, you likely have questions about where to begin. There are so many important factors to consider. How will you expand to new markets? Will you need to hire more staff? Invest in new pharmacy management software?

To help you get started, we pulled together key questions to ask on topics such as compliance, workflow, packaging, delivery, and reimbursement. Let’s dive in!

Regulatory Compliance

Achieving and maintaining regulatory compliance is essential for any pharmacy—but even more so for those in the long-term care industry. LTC pharmacists need the right knowledge and resources to adhere to all federal and state laws governing medication management and patient safety.

Questions to Ask:

• What are the specific regulations and requirements for operating an LTC pharmacy in my jurisdiction?

• How will the transition impact our current compliance processes and practices?

• What additional licenses or certifications are needed for LTC pharmacy operations?

• What reporting and documentation will be required to meet LTC facility and regulatory requirements?

Workflow and Processes

Your day-to-day workflow will likely change quite a bit after expanding into LTC pharmacy operations, so you’ll need to prepare for that. LTC pharmacies require staff across all departments—from dispensing and packaging to billing and delivery—to be on the same page in order to accommodate a higher volume of orders.

Questions to Ask:

• How does the workflow in an LTC pharmacy differ from that of a retail pharmacy?

• What changes need to be made to accommodate bulk prescription orders, packaging, and delivery to LTC facilities?

• How will the transition affect our inventory management and order fulfillment processes?

Staffing and Training

It goes without saying that you’ll need the right pharmacy staff (with the right training) to effectively manage LTC pharmacy operations. Consider whether you have the right people in place and how you can streamline processes to work as efficiently as possible. (Pro tip: Pharmacy automation can help you do more with less!)

Questions to Ask:

• Do our current pharmacy staff members have the necessary skills and training to handle LTC pharmacy operations?

• Will additional training be required for staff to understand LTC-specific regulations and protocols?

• How will staffing needs change given the different demands of LTC operations?

Technology and Systems

Pharmacy management software makes it possible for pharmacies to digitize operations, automate workflows, and improve accuracy and efficiency. That said, the LTC pharmacy industry is more complex than retail and requires a level of customization that one-size-fits-all technology usually can’t accommodate.

Questions to Ask:

• Which pharmacy management software is best suited for LTC pharmacy operations?

• How will electronic health record (EHR) integration work with LTC facilities?

• What technology enhancements are required to support medication synchronization and cycle filling?

Medication Packaging and Delivery

LTC pharmacies typically serve numerous facility customers—each with hundreds of residents, many of whom take multiple medications each day. Getting packaging and delivery processes right is critical to ensuring each patient gets the right medication, in the right dose, at the right time.

Questions to Ask:

• How will medication packaging differ for LTC facilities compared to individual retail customers?’

• What strategies will be employed for timely and accurate medication delivery to multiple LTC locations?

Medication Management and Consultations

Comprehensive medication management and medication regimen reviews (MRRs) by consulting pharmacists are key services offered by LTC pharmacies. Before you expand, plan for how you’ll conduct medication consultations and reviews within your pharmacy.

Questions to Ask:

• How will medication management services change for LTC residents?

• What procedures will be in place to ensure accurate medication administration in LTC facilities?

• How will medication consultations and reviews be conducted in an LTC setting?

Billing and Reimbursement

Prescription billing and reimbursement are inherently complex for LTC pharmacies. Navigating these complexities is challenging when there are so many billing models and payer types to learn, but it’s also essential for achieving success in the LTC pharmacy space.

Questions to Ask:

• How does reimbursement work for LTC pharmacy services compared to retail?

• What changes will need to be made to our billing and reimbursement processes?

Relationships with LTC Facilities

Forming strong facility partnerships is a must for any successful long-term care pharmacy. Consider how you’ll communicate and work alongside the facilities you serve to offer the best possible customer service experience.

Questions to Ask:

• How will we build and maintain relationships with LTC facilities?

• What communication processes will be established to ensure seamless coordination with facility staff?

Marketing and Promotion

As with any expanding business, marketing plays a significant role in lasting success. You’ll want to consider your marketing strategy and learn what prospective facility customers expect from their pharmacy in advance of your expansion.

Questions to Ask:

• How will our marketing strategies differ when targeting LTC facilities compared to retail customers?

• What approaches will be effective in highlighting our expertise in LTC pharmacy services?

Risk Management

Patient safety is undoubtedly the highest priority for LTC pharmacies. That’s why it’s important to consider potential risks and challenges, and the steps you’ll take to ensure accuracy, minimize errors, and protect patient safety.

Questions to Ask:

• What potential risks and challenges are associated with LTC pharmacy operations?

• How will we mitigate these risks and ensure patient safety in an LTC setting?

Financial Planning

It goes without saying that you’ll want your LTC pharmacy to be as profitable as possible—both in the short term and looking ahead. Crunch the numbers upfront and learn what you can expect from your LTC pharmacy within the first year and beyond.

Questions to Ask:

• What are the projected costs and investments associated with expanding into LTC pharmacy operations?

• How will the revenue model differ from retail operations, and what financial projections can be made?

Transitioning to LTC Pharmacy Operations with FrameworkLTC

Now you have an idea of which questions to ask when expanding your pharmacy to serve long-term facilities—but chances are, you’re still feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to begin. We can help.

FrameworkLTC is the only pharmacy management software specifically designed for long-term care. In addition to a full set of integrated solutions, our team provides support for pharmacies that are looking to expand to the LTC market. We’ll partner with you every step of the way to help make your dream of expansion a successful reality.

Download our free guide, Retail Pharmacy Software vs. LTC-Designed Software to learn more about pharmacy software that’s purpose-built for long-term care.