1. One of the goals of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) is to help control rising health care costs, which now consume approximately what percentage of the United States (U.S.) Gross Domestic Product (GDP)?
A. 7%
B. 12%
C. 17%
D. 25%
2. Which of the following options is NOT one of the Triple Aims of the PPACA:
A. Improving health
B. Reducing costs
C. All health care free
D. Achieving better care
3. The PPACA was signed into law in 2010, however the first major provisions will not be implemented until 2019.
A. True
B. False
4. Although there are only 6 of 91 PPACA provisions that directly address prescription drug coverage, other major provisions may increase overall prescription drug use as a result of more people having medical and pharmacy benefit coverage.
A. True
B. False
5. Which of the following best summarizes some the opportunities and challenges for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians following implementation of the PPACA provisions:
A. Prescription drug use will likely increase as more individuals have pharmacy benefit coverage
B. Higher prescription drug use increases the need for pharmacy technicians to monitor adherence and drug interactions
C. Higher prescription volume and more patients with potential drug-related questions and problems may present time management challenges
D. All of the above
E. None of the above
6. The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) Health Tracking Poll of 2013 has shown that more than 90% of Americans have a favorable opinion regarding passage of the PPACA.
A. True
B. False
7. Which of the following best describes the 6 PPACA pharmacy provisions addressed in the article that specifically address prescription drug benefits:
A. Medicare Part D brand drug rebate and biosimilar legislation
B. Institutional 340(B) pricing and Medicaid brand drug rebate
C. Medicare Part D coverage gap closure and a pharmaceutical industry user fee
D. All of the above
E. None of the above
8. The following are 2 substantial patient health insurance access benefits that have been made available by the PPACA: citizens have access to new sources of insurance and coverage may not be denied as a result of pre-existing medical conditions.
A. True
B. False
9. Managed care principles of risk-sharing and managing the cost will be continued under the PPACA. These include member cost share for accessing benefits (except Medicaid) and risk-sharing opportunities for some provisions.
A. True
B. False
10. The PPACA adds requirements to measure quality of care and many provisions include financial incentives to improve quality. Which of the following is the best possible answer:
A. True. Some provisions include incentives for evidence of quality outcomes
B. False. Payment for quality outcomes was defeated in the final PPACA version eventually passed
11. The individual mandate was considered a critical component for success of the PPACA. The Supreme Court held that the mandate would stand, however it was also ruled to be a tax.
A. True
B. False
12. The individual mandate allows a penalty tax of $695 per individual, 3 times this amount for a family, or 2.5% of household income for failure to obtain health care insurance (exemptions exist).
A. True; this penalty tax is gradually increased from 2014 to 2016
B. False; the mandate was struck down because President Obama promised the PPACA would not add any new taxes.
13. State Insurance Exchanges have been delayed for 1 year, but eventually should allow states to develop on their own benchmark plans or insurance providers from which individuals may purchase health insurance. States may also partner with the federal government to develop an exchange.
A. True
B. False
14. According to the KFF Employer Benefit Survey of 2012, employer-based health insurance premiums have increased by approximately what percentage over the past 13 years? Select the closest correct answer.
A. 5%
B. 10%
C. 100%
D. 250%
E. 500%
15. The formularies for managed care employer-sponsored drug programs often contain what type of drug coverage and tier structure? Please select from the following:
A. 2 Tier: All generics on Tier 1 and all brands on Tier 2
B. 3 Tier: generics on Tier 1, all brands on Tier 2, and specialty drugs on Tier 4
C. 4 Tier: generics on Tier 1, preferred brands on Tier 2, nonpreferred brands on Tier 3, and specialty medications on Tier 4
D. Flat Tier structure: all drugs on 1 Tier with a front-end deductible for all formularies
16. State Insurance Exchanges must include the Essential Health Benefits (EHBs), however, pharmacy benefits are NOT included in EHBs and, thus, states have the option to not provide a drug benefit in their exchanges.
A. True
B. False
17. Both Medicaid and Medicare will expand coverage and include more recipients as a result of the PPACA. Which of the following is the best response regarding a TRUE statement about Medicaid and/or Medicare:
A. The Medicare coverage gap will close by 2020, as a result of pharmaceutical manufacturer rebates
B. Medicaid programs will expand in response to federal funding and will include coverage for children through the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
C. Medicare typically provides coverage for recipients older than 65 years of age, but also provides coverage for 10 million beneficiaries younger than 65 years of age that have permanent disabilities
D. All of the above are true
E. None of the above
18. Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) organize physicians and other health care providers to coordinate care for a minimum of 5000 Medicare recipients. Which of the following best describes ACOs:
A. ACOs attempt to coordinate the care of patients to provide appropriate care and avoid the unnecessary duplication of services
B. ACOs are accountable for the cost of care, but not the quality of care, and they are prohibited from providing risk-sharing opportunities
C. ACO directors may recognize the value of pharmaceuticals and present opportunities for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to manage appropriate drug use and adherence to optimize drug outcomes
D. A. and B.
E. A. and C.
19. Plans that raise their Medicare Star ratings have the potential to receive very large financial incentives from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Which of the following describes the potential role of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians regarding health care plans and this requirement:
A. Insurers may use pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to improve drug adherence, which is an important Medicare Star metric for rating these plans
B. Medicare Star ratings include measuring the use of statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) by patients with diabetes and the avoidance of high-risk medications for older adults
C. CMS pays Quality Bonus Payments to plans receiving 3 or more Stars. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians may be important for allowing their plan to receive a significant financial incentive
D. All of the above
E. None of the above
20. Medicare Medication Therapy Management (MTM) programs provide opportunities for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to receive payment for providing comprehensive medication reviews (CMRs) to qualifying Medicare recipients. What are the criteria used to qualify members for MTM CMRs.
A. Multiple chronic diseases
B. Taking multiple Part D medications
C. Be a Veterans or former government employee
D. Spend more than $3100 in Part D medications per year
E. A, B, and D.
F. B. and D.
Evaluation Questions
21. To what extent did the program meet objective #1?
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
22. To what extent did the program meet objective #2?
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
23. To what extent did the program meet objective #3?
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
24. To what extent did the program meet objective #4?
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
25. Rate the effectiveness of how well the program related to your educational needs:
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
26. Rate how well the active learning strategies (questions, cases, discussions) were appropriate and effective learning tools:
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
27. Rate the quality of the faculty:
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
28. Rate the effectiveness and the overall usefulness of the material presented:
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
29. Rate the appropriateness of the examination for this activity:
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
30. Rate the effectiveness of how well the activity related to your practice needs:
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
31. Rate the effectiveness of how well the activity will help you improve patient care:
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
32. Will the information presented cause you to change your practice?
A. Yes
B. No
33. Are you committed to making these changes?
A. Yes
B. No
34. As a result of this activity, did you learn something new?
A. Yes
B. No
35. What is your practice setting or area of practice?
A. Community Pharmacy/Independent
B. Community Pharmacy/Chain
C. Hospital/Health Systems
D. Long-term Care
E. Managed Care/PBM
F. Oncology/Specialty Pharmacy
G. Research
H. Regulatory/Government
I. Industry/Manufacturing
36. How many years have you been in practice?
A. <5
B. 5 – 10
C. 11 – 20
D. >20