SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PRESCRIPTION ALIGNMENT

• US 20090030719A1
• Filed: 07/23/2007
• Published: 01/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Walgreen Co. (Walgreens Boots Alliance Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Walgreen Co. (Walgreens Boots Alliance Incorporated)
• Inventors: Pankow, Greg, Liccardo, Peter, Palazzolo, Christina M., Khullar, Rishi, Tebbe, Laura J., Dorfman, Steve S., Oh, Hee K., Nadas, Gyula J., Webb, Guirong Z.
• Granted Patent: US 8,032,393 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

The method, system and user-interface allows alignment of refill dates associated with a plurality of prescriptions, such that the plurality of prescriptions all require refills on the same date, thus limiting the number of occasions on which a customer must visit the pharmacy to retrieve refills of the aligned prescriptions, and increasing the likelihood that the customer will comply with the recommended medication regimen.

Claims

1. A method for aligning a plurality of pharmaceutical prescriptions, the method comprising:

receiving a selection of a plurality of prescriptions to align, the plurality of prescriptions associated with a customer;

determining, for each of the plurality of selected prescriptions, a next fill date, wherein the next fill date is the date the prescription was last filled, incremented by a pre-alignment day supply for the prescription;

computing, using a computing device, at least one alignment date corresponding to at least one of a quickest alignment option, a lowest cost alignment option, or a medication status alignment option, wherein the medication status alignment option is based on the status of at least one medication as a generic medication or a brand name medication;

computing, using a computing device, an alignment cost for at least one of the quickest alignment option, the lowest cost alignment option, the medication status alignment option, or a custom alignment option;

receiving, via a computing device, an alignment date selection corresponding to one of the quickest alignment option, the lowest cost alignment option, the medication status alignment option, or the custom alignment option;

determining for each of the plurality of selected prescriptions, using a computing device, any intervening fill dates for the prescription between the current date and the selected alignment date;

determining for each of the plurality of selected prescriptions, using a computing device;

(a) whether the selected alignment date requires a reduced fill;

(b) a reduced-fill date, the required reduced fill, if any, occurring on the reduced-fill date;

(c) a reduced-fill day supply for the required reduced fill, if any; and

(d) a reduced-fill cost for the required reduced fill, if any;

(e) wherein the reduced-fill date for each prescription requiring a reduced fill is the intervening fill date for the prescription that is closest to the selected alignment date; and

(f) wherein the reduced-fill day supply for the prescription is the number of days from the reduced-fill date for the prescription to the selected alignment date;

filling the prescription, for each of the plurality of selected prescriptions, on each of any intervening fill dates for the prescription, wherein filling the prescription comprises filling the pre-alignment day supply for the prescription on any intervening fill dates for the prescription that are not the reduced-fill date for the prescription and filling the reduced-fill day supply for the prescription on the reduced-fill date for the prescription; and

filling each of the plurality of selected prescriptions on the selected alignment date, supplying for each selected prescription a post-alignment day supply.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing, for each of a plurality of customers, a customer record including a customer identifier indicative of a customer, and a plurality of prescriptions;

retrieving a customer record from a database;

retrieving a plurality of prescriptions associated with the retrieved customer record;

determining, using a computing device, whether each of the retrieved plurality of prescriptions is eligible for prescription alignment;

determining, using a computing device, whether prescription alignment would violate rules of a third-party payor associated with the indicated customer; and

determining, for the indicated customer, whether prescription alignment would violate applicable regulations.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising verifying that at least one of the third-party payor associated with the indicated customer or applicable regulations allows an adjusted day supply.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein an eligible prescription comprises one of:

a unit-dose medication;

a unit-of-use medication;

an over-the-counter medication;

a non-daily medication;

a medication not in pill, tablet, or capsule form;

a pre-packaged medication;

a vitamin;

or a supplement.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein aligning a plurality of prescriptions including a prescription dispensed in a unit-of-use package comprises selecting as the alignment date a refill date of the prescription dispensed in a unit-of-use package.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of selected prescriptions is selected based upon a status as a generic medication or a brand name medication.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of selected prescriptions are selected from a group of prescriptions determined to be eligible for prescription alignment and further wherein a computing device determines each of the group of prescriptions is eligible for prescription alignment.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein an override function exists to allow a user to override an eligibility determination.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein computing an alignment date comprises:

determining a benchmark date for the plurality of selected prescriptions, the benchmark date associated with a benchmark prescription; and

repeating the following steps until an alignment date is selected;

(a) comparing the benchmark date to the latest of the plurality of determined next fill dates;

(b) selecting the benchmark date as the selected alignment date if the benchmark date is later than or the same as the latest of the plurality of determined next fill dates; and

(c) selecting as the benchmark date, if the benchmark date is earlier than the latest of the plurality of determined next fill dates, a subsequent next fill date for the benchmark prescription.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein determining a benchmark date corresponding to the quickest alignment option comprises selecting the latest of the plurality of determined next fill dates as the benchmark date.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein determining a benchmark date corresponding to the lowest cost alignment option comprises:

grouping the plurality of selected prescriptions by next fill date, wherein a prescription group may comprise a single prescription or a plurality of prescriptions;

determining a pre-alignment cost for each of the plurality of selected prescriptions;

calculating the total of the pre-alignment costs for each of the prescription groups;

finding the one or more prescription groups having the highest total pre-alignment cost;

selecting, where only one prescription group has the highest total pre-alignment cost, the next fill date for that prescription group, as the benchmark date; and

selecting, where more than one prescription group has the highest total pre-alignment cost, the latest of the next fill dates corresponding to the prescription groups having the highest total pre-alignment cost.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein each prescription of a group of prescriptions constitutes a benchmark prescription and further wherein selecting a subsequent next fill date for the benchmark prescription as the benchmark date for the benchmark prescription further comprises:

repeating, for each prescription of the one or more groups of prescriptions having the highest total pre-alignment cost, each of the following steps until each prescription of the one or more groups of prescriptions having the highest total pre-alignment cost has a benchmark date later than or the same as the latest next fill date;

(i) determining a subsequent next fill date for the prescription, wherein the subsequent next fill date for the prescription is determined according to the pre-alignment day supply for the prescription;

(ii) comparing the determined subsequent next fill date to the latest next fill date; and

(iii) setting the benchmark date for the prescription to the determined subsequent next fill date if the determined subsequent next fill date is later than or the same as the latest next fill date.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising selecting as the alignment date, where each of the benchmark prescriptions has a different cost than each other benchmark prescription, the benchmark date of the benchmark prescription having the highest cost.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising selecting as the alignment date, where each of the benchmark prescriptions has the same cost as each other benchmark prescription, the benchmark date of the benchmark prescription having the earliest benchmark date after the latest next fill date.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising prorating at least one of a drug cost, an administrative fee, a dispensing fee, or a copay for one or more reduced fills.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising reimbursing the customer for one or more costs incurred as a result of one or more required reduced fills.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein an entity reimbursing the customer is one of a drug manufacturer, a drug distributor, a drug retailer, or the third-party payor.

18. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving one of a computer-generated indication that prescription alignment is possible for a group of prescriptions or a computer-generated indication that prescription alignment is advantageous for a group of prescriptions, and further receiving an indication from the customer that the customer agrees to have the group of prescriptions aligned.

19. The method of claim 1 further comprising executing at least part of the method at one of a pharmacy counter, a call center, a kiosk, or a web site.

20. The method of claim 1 further comprising adding a new prescription to a group of aligned prescriptions.

21. The method of claim 1 further comprising removing a prescription from a group of aligned prescriptions.

22. The method of claim 1 further comprising refilling each of the aligned prescriptions on one or more of the selected alignment date or a subsequent refill date without customer intervention.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of an intervening fill or a reduced fill is completed without customer intervention.

24. The method of claim 1 further comprising locking the aligned prescriptions to prevent manual scheduling of at least one of an intervening fill, a reduced fill, an alignment-date fill, or a subsequent refill.

25. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving an indication of a default retail location at which the plurality of selected prescriptions will be filled.

26. The method of claim 1 further comprising dispensing at least one of the plurality of selected prescriptions in a multi-dose package.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising dispensing at least one non-prescription substance in alignment with the plurality of selected prescriptions, the non-prescription substance comprising one of an over-the-counter medication, a vitamin, or a supplement.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein at least one of the plurality of selected prescriptions and at least one non-prescription substance are dispensed in a single multi-dose package.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein at least one of the plurality of selected prescriptions and at least one non-prescription substance are dispensed in separate multi-dose packages.

30. A system for aligning a plurality of pharmaceutical prescriptions, the system comprising:

one or more computing devices;

storage means, associated with at least one of the one or more computing devices, for maintaining a plurality of customer records, the plurality of customer records each comprising at least a customer identification indicative of a customer, and one or more prescriptions;

interface means for selecting one of the plurality of customer records;

means for retrieving the selected one of the plurality of the customer records;

means for determining, for each of the one or more prescriptions associated with the retrieved customer record, whether the prescription is eligible for prescription alignment;

means for determining, for the retrieved customer record, whether prescription alignment would violate rules of a third-party payor associated with the indicated customer;

means for determining, for the retrieved customer record, whether prescription alignment would violate applicable regulations;

interface means for selecting a plurality of eligible prescriptions to align;

means for determining, for each of the plurality of selected prescriptions, a next fill date, wherein the next fill date is the date the prescription was last filled, incremented by a pre-alignment day supply for the prescription;

means for computing at least one alignment date corresponding to at least one of a quickest alignment option, a lowest cost alignment option, or both;

means for computing an alignment cost for at least one of the quickest alignment option, the lowest cost alignment option, or a custom alignment option;

means for receiving an alignment date selection corresponding to one of the quickest alignment option, the lowest cost alignment option, or the custom alignment option;

means for determining, for each of the plurality of selected prescriptions, any intervening fill dates for the prescription between the current date and the selected alignment date;

means for determining, for each of the plurality of selected prescriptions;

(a) whether the selected alignment date requires a reduced fill;

(b) a reduced-fill date, the reduced fill, if any, occurring on the reduced-fill date;

(c) a reduced-fill day supply for the required reduced fill, if any;

(d) a reduced-fill cost for the required reduced fill, if any;

(e) wherein the reduced-fill date for each prescription requiring a reduced fill is the intervening fill date for the prescription that is closest to the selected alignment date; and

(f) wherein the reduced-fill day supply for the prescription is the number of days from the reduced-fill date for the prescription to the selected alignment date;

means for filling the prescription, for each of the plurality of selected prescriptions, on each of any intervening fill dates for the prescription, wherein filling the prescription comprises filling the pre-alignment day supply for the prescription on any intervening fill dates for the prescription that are not the reduced-fill date for the prescription and filling the reduced-fill day supply for the prescription on the reduced-fill date for the prescription; and

means for filling each of the plurality of selected prescriptions on the selected alignment date, supplying for each selected prescription a post-alignment day supply.

31. The system of claim 30 further comprising means for allowing a user to override an eligibility determination.

32. The system of claim 30 wherein the means for computing an alignment date further comprise means for determining a benchmark date associated with a benchmark prescription.

33. The system of claim 30 further comprising means for determining a prorated cost for one or more of a drug cost, an administration fee, a dispensing fee, or a copay.

34. The system of claim 30 further comprising:

means for generating one of an indication that prescription alignment is possible for a group of prescriptions or an indication that prescription alignment is advantageous for a group of prescriptions; and

means for receiving an indication from the customer that the customer agrees to implement prescription alignment.

35. The system of claim 30 wherein one or more of the interface means is located at one of a pharmacist'"'"'s desk, a kiosk, a call center or a web site.

36. The system of claim 30 further comprising means for adding prescriptions to and removing prescriptions from an aligned group of prescriptions.

37. The system of claim 30 further comprising means for locking the aligned prescriptions to prevent manual scheduling of at least one of an intervening fill, a reduced fill, an alignment-date fill, or a subsequent refill.

38. The system of claim 30 further comprising means for dispensing at least one of the plurality of selected prescriptions in a multi-dose package.

39. The system of claim 38 further comprising means for dispensing at least one non-prescription substance in alignment with the plurality of selected prescription medications, the non-prescription substance comprising one of an over-the-counter medication, a vitamin, or a supplement.

40. A user-interface employed in a system for aligning a plurality of pharmaceutical prescriptions, the user-interface comprising:

one or more user-interface screens,

an indication of a plurality of prescriptions selected for alignment;

an indication, for each of the plurality of selected prescriptions, of each of a last fill date, a quantity supplied, a pre-alignment day supply, and a pre-alignment cost;

an indication of a prescription alignment date;

an indication of which of the plurality of selected prescriptions, if any, will require a reduced fill, a reduced-fill date for each required reduced fill, a reduced-fill day supply to be provided on each required reduced-fill date, and a reduced-fill cost of each required reduced fill;

an indication of a post-alignment day supply for each prescription;

an indication of a post-alignment cost at the time of alignment;

wherein the prescription alignment date may be edited;

wherein the post-alignment day supply may be edited;

wherein a printable version of the displayed information may be generated;

wherein the plurality of prescriptions selected for alignment may be edited; and

wherein the prescription alignment may be confirmed.

41. The user-interface of claim 40 wherein the user-interface is formatted as a web page.

42. The user-interface of claim 40 wherein the indication of the prescription alignment date initially reflects either an alignment date associated with a lowest cost option or an alignment date associated with a fastest alignment option, and wherein the indication of the alignment date may be toggled between the lowest cost option and the fastest alignment option, or manually edited.

43. The user-interface of claim 40 further comprising an indication of a store at which the aligned prescriptions are to be filled and wherein the store at which the aligned prescriptions are to be filled may be edited.

44. The user-interface of claim 40 further comprising an indication of which of the aligned prescriptions to include in a multi-dose package, and wherein the aligned prescriptions included in the multi-dose package may be edited.

45. A method for aligning a plurality of pharmaceutical prescriptions, the method comprising:

receiving a selection of a plurality of prescriptions to align, the plurality of prescriptions associated with a customer;

determining, for each of the plurality of selected prescriptions, a next fill date, wherein the next fill date is the date the prescription was last filled, incremented by a pre-alignment day supply for the prescription;

computing, using a computing device, at least one alignment date corresponding to at least one of a quickest alignment option, a lowest cost alignment option, or a medication status alignment option, wherein the medication status alignment option is based on the status of at least one medication as a generic medication or a brand name medication;

computing, using a computing device, an alignment cost for at least one of the quickest alignment option, the lowest cost alignment option, the medication status alignment option, or a custom alignment option; and

receiving, via a computing device, an alignment date selection corresponding to one of the quickest alignment option, the lowest cost alignment option, the medication status alignment option, or the custom alignment option.

46. The method of claim 45 further comprising:

determining for each of the plurality of selected prescriptions, using a computing device, any intervening fill dates for the prescription between the current date and the selected alignment date; and

determining for each of the plurality of selected prescriptions, using a computing device;

(a) whether the selected alignment date requires a reduced fill;

(b) a reduced-fill date, the required reduced fill, if any, occurring on the reduced-fill date;

(c) a reduced-fill day supply for the required reduced fill, if any; and

(d) a reduced-fill cost for the required reduced fill, if any;

(e) wherein the reduced-fill date for each prescription requiring a reduced fill is the intervening fill date for the prescription that is closest to the selected alignment date; and

(f) wherein the reduced-fill day supply for the prescription is the number of days from the reduced-fill date for the prescription to the selected alignment date.

47. The method of claim 47 further comprising:

filling the prescription, for each of the plurality of selected prescriptions, on each of any intervening fill dates for the prescription, wherein filling the prescription comprises filling the pre-alignment day supply for the prescription on any intervening fill dates for the prescription that are not the reduced-fill date for the prescription and filling the reduced-fill day supply for the prescription on the reduced-fill date for the prescription; and

filling each of the plurality of selected prescriptions on the selected alignment date, supplying for each selected prescription a post-alignment day supply.

48. A method for aligning a plurality of pharmaceutical prescriptions, the method comprising:

storing, for each of a plurality of customers, a customer record including a customer identifier indicative of a customer, and a plurality of prescriptions;

retrieving a customer record from a database;

retrieving a plurality of prescriptions associated with the retrieved customer record;

determining, using a computing device, whether each of the retrieved plurality of prescriptions is eligible for prescription alignment;

determining, using a computing device, whether prescription alignment would violate rules of a third-party payor associated with the indicated customer;

determining, for the indicated customer, whether prescription alignment would violate applicable regulations;

receiving a selection of a plurality of prescriptions to align, the plurality of prescriptions associated with a customer;

determining, for each of the plurality of selected prescriptions, a next fill date, wherein the next fill date is the date the prescription was last filled, incremented by a pre-alignment day supply for the prescription;

computing, using a computing device, at least one alignment date corresponding to at least one of a quickest alignment option, a lowest cost alignment option, or a medication status alignment option, wherein the medication status alignment option is based on the status of at least one medication as a generic medication or a brand name medication;

computing, using a computing device, an alignment cost for at least one of the quickest alignment option, the lowest cost alignment option, the medication status alignment option, or a custom alignment option;

receiving, via a computing device, an alignment date selection corresponding to one of the quickest alignment option, the lowest cost alignment option, the medication status alignment option, or the custom alignment option;

determining for each of the plurality of selected prescriptions, using a computing device, any intervening fill dates for the prescription between the current date and the selected alignment date;

determining for each of the plurality of selected prescriptions, using a computing device;

(a) whether the selected alignment date requires a reduced fill;

(b) a reduced-fill date, the required reduced fill, if any, occurring on the reduced-fill date;

(c) a reduced-fill day supply for the required reduced fill, if any; and

(d) a reduced-fill cost for the required reduced fill, if any;

(e) wherein the reduced-fill date for each prescription requiring a reduced fill is the intervening fill date for the prescription that is closest to the selected alignment date; and

(f) wherein the reduced-fill day supply for the prescription is the number of days from the reduced-fill date for the prescription to the selected alignment date;

filling the prescription, for each of the plurality of selected prescriptions, on each of any intervening fill dates for the prescription, wherein filling the prescription comprises filling the pre-alignment day supply for the prescription on any intervening fill dates for the prescription that are not the reduced-fill date for the prescription and filling the reduced-fill day supply for the prescription on the reduced-fill date for the prescription;

filling each of the plurality of selected prescriptions on the selected alignment date, supplying for each selected prescription a post-alignment day supply;

wherein computing an alignment date comprises;

determining a benchmark date for the plurality of selected prescriptions, the benchmark date associated with a benchmark prescription;

repeating the following steps until an alignment date is selected;

(a) comparing the benchmark date to the latest of the plurality of determined next fill dates; and

(b) selecting the benchmark date as the selected alignment date if the latest of the plurality of determined next fill dates is earlier or the same as the benchmark date; and

(c) selecting, if the latest of the plurality of determined next fill dates is later than the benchmark date, a subsequent next fill date for the benchmark prescription as the benchmark date;

wherein determining a benchmark date corresponding to a quickest alignment option comprises selecting the latest of the plurality of determined next fill dates as the benchmark date; and

wherein determining a benchmark date corresponding to a lowest cost alignment option comprises;

grouping the plurality of selected prescriptions by next fill date, wherein a prescription group may comprise a single prescription or a plurality of prescriptions;

determining a pre-alignment cost to a customer for each of the selected prescriptions;

calculating the total of the pre-alignment costs for each of the prescription groups;

finding the one or more prescription groups having the highest total pre-alignment cost;

selecting, where only one prescription group has the highest total pre-alignment cost, the next fill date for that prescription group, as the benchmark date; and

selecting, where more than one prescription group has the highest total pre-alignment cost, the latest of the next fill dates corresponding to the prescription groups having the highest total pre-alignment cost.