Provider Guidance to Patients Taking Asthma Medications

Published April 2025

No one knows better than you that, for patients who are living with persistent asthma, proper medication management includes the use of controller medications. In fact, the proper use of controller medications may reduce the need for a rescue medication, as well as ER visits, inpatient admissions, and days of school or work missed. Ensuring optimal asthma management can be challenging at times, and MVP is here as a partner to support you in providing this high-quality care.

Best Practices for Patients with Asthma

• Prescribe a controller medication for patients who do not have one. View the Formulary for a list of covered controllers by visiting here
• Check the patient’s ratio of controller to rescue medication; ensure that for every two controller prescriptions your patient has filled at a pharmacy, they have only one rescue inhaler prescription filled
• Help your patient understand the benefit of using a controller medication regularly rather than only using a rescue medication to manage their asthma 
• Instruct your patient on proper inhaler and spacer use (if appropriate)

Collaborate with your patients on their Asthma Action Plan so they understand their triggers and what to do during an asthma attack. Copies of the plan go to the patient, school, and with you for your records. Patients can request an Asthma Action Plan by contacting MVP Case Management at 1-866-942-7966.