Practical Steps for Employers to Use MMAS at Enrollment

Practical Steps for Employers to Use MMAS at Enrollment

1. Administer the Morisky Scale in Digital or Paper during annual employee physicals:
• Include the MMAS questionnaire as a self-assessment that employees can complete providing insights without the need for a clinical setting.
2. Provide Health Resources Based on Responses:
• Based on MMAS results, direct employees to health plan resources, such as digital medication reminders, access to pharmacists, or virtual consults. This personalized support reinforces a proactive approach to health management.
3. Educate Employees on Cost-Saving Wellness Resources:
• Emphasize that managing medication adherence can help avoid costly complications, indirectly saving them money on healthcare expenses, co-pays, and out-of-pocket costs over time.


Integrating the Morisky Scale into annual enrollment is an innovative way for employers to reduce healthcare costs while improving employee well-being. It emphasizes a proactive, preventive approach that empowers employees, builds a healthier workforce, and lowers the risk of high insurance costs.

1. Identifying Non-Adherence Early:
• The MMAS allows employees to self-assess their medication-taking habits. By identifying adherence challenges, such as forgetting doses or stopping medication due to side effects, employers can intervene early.
• Early detection helps avoid complications that could lead to costly emergency visits, advanced treatments, or hospitalizations, reducing long-term insurance claims.
2. Guiding Targeted Health Interventions:
• Employers can use MMAS results to identify employees who might benefit from targeted interventions, such as medication reminders, telehealth consultations, or wellness coaching.
• Providing these resources supports better adherence and health outcomes, which translates to lower claims and a more efficient use of plan resources.
3. Encouraging Use of Preventive and Wellness Services:
• Employees scoring low on the Morisky Scale may also benefit from preventive services, like chronic disease management programs or medication counseling. Promoting these services during enrollment can lead to improved health and reduced future healthcare needs.
4. Supporting Chronic Condition Management:
• Chronic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, are among the leading causes of high healthcare spending. By addressing medication adherence during enrollment, employers can help ensure that these employees are managing their conditions effectively.
• Effective chronic condition management reduces the risk of severe complications, improving employees’ quality of life and lowering insurance costs over time.
5. Incorporating Educational Counseling and the MAAP Program:
• For employees with low adherence scores, employers can offer counseling and tools from the Medication Adherence Action Program (MAAP), which includes digital resources and educational support.
• Educational counseling helps employees understand the importance of adherence, addresses any misconceptions, and connects them with additional resources covered by their health plan.