Prescription drug prior authorization system and method
First Claim
1. A computerized method for processing prior authorization drug requests comprising:
- (a) receiving at a rules database server an electronic prior authorization drug request, said request comprising;
(1) identifying information for a member of a pharmacy benefits plan and identifying information for a drug prescribed to said member; and
(2) identifying information for a prescribing physician submitting said electronic prior authorization drug request for said member;
(b) assigning a reference identifier to said prior authorization drug request;
(c) logging said electronic prior authorization drug request with said reference identifier in a drug request transaction computer system;
(d) applying at said transaction computer system authorization criteria to said electronic prior authorization drug request to reach a prior authorization decision approving or denying dispensing of said drug to said member according to said pharmacy benefits plan for said member and said identifying information for said member;
(e) updating said electronic prior authorization drug request in said drug request transaction computer system according to said prior authorization decision;
(f) if said prior authorization drug request is automatically approved, forwarding said electronic prior authorization drug request from said rules database server to a pharmacy benefits manager computer to facilitate dispensing of said drug to said member; and
(g) if said prior authorization drug request is automatically denied, providing a computer user with access to said prior authorization request in said drug request transaction computer system.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An online application for approving prior authorization requests for prescription drugs. The application is used by pharmacy benefits providers, physicians, and pharmacies to request prior authorizations for drugs and to receive approvals automatically if a requested drug meets authorization criteria. The online application is accessible through a group pharmacy benefits provider portal on a web site. Requests are processed through a pharmacy benefits manager computer that determines whether prior authorization is required and through a pharmacy benefits provider computer when the pharmacy benefits manager computer determines that prior authorization is required. Requests that meet certain authorization criteria are approved automatically. Requests that cannot be approved automatically are submitted for review by a clinical pharmacy review division that access requests through a drug request transaction computer.
16 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A computerized method for processing prior authorization drug requests comprising:
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(a) receiving at a rules database server an electronic prior authorization drug request, said request comprising; (1) identifying information for a member of a pharmacy benefits plan and identifying information for a drug prescribed to said member; and (2) identifying information for a prescribing physician submitting said electronic prior authorization drug request for said member; (b) assigning a reference identifier to said prior authorization drug request; (c) logging said electronic prior authorization drug request with said reference identifier in a drug request transaction computer system; (d) applying at said transaction computer system authorization criteria to said electronic prior authorization drug request to reach a prior authorization decision approving or denying dispensing of said drug to said member according to said pharmacy benefits plan for said member and said identifying information for said member; (e) updating said electronic prior authorization drug request in said drug request transaction computer system according to said prior authorization decision; (f) if said prior authorization drug request is automatically approved, forwarding said electronic prior authorization drug request from said rules database server to a pharmacy benefits manager computer to facilitate dispensing of said drug to said member; and (g) if said prior authorization drug request is automatically denied, providing a computer user with access to said prior authorization request in said drug request transaction computer system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computerized method for processing prior authorization drug requests comprising:
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(a) receiving from a pharmacy benefits manager at a rules database server an electronic prior authorization drug request to complete a prior authorization process for a prescription drug that requires prior authorization, said request comprising; (1) identifying information for a member of a pharmacy benefits plan and identifying information for a drug prescribed to said member; and (2) identifying information for a prescribing physician submitting said electronic prior authorization drug request for said member; (b) at said rules database server, applying a prior authorization process comprising; (i) assigning a reference identifier to said electronic request; (ii) adding said electronic request with said reference identifier to a drug request transaction computer system; (iii) applying authorization criteria to said electronic request to reach a prior authorization decision approving or denying dispensing of said drug to said member according to said pharmacy benefits plan for said member and said identifying information for said member; (iv) if said electronic request meets said authorization criteria, forwarding an electronic prior authorization approval to said pharmacy benefits manager computer; and (v) if said electronic request does not meet said authorization criteria, providing a computer user with access to said prior authorization request in said drug request transaction computer system. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification