Method for competitive prescription drug and/or bidding service provider selection
First Claim
1. A method for facilitating the delivery of prescription products or services, the method comprising the steps of:
- utilizing a processing unit, the processing unit being programmed with a rules engine to carry out the steps of the method;
utilizing a database for storage and retrieval of information by the processing unit;
utilizing a plurality of input/output devices for communication;
conveying, from a prescriber to a consumer, unfilled prescription information;
the processing unit conducting a prescription needs assessment and providing, based upon results of the prescription needs assessment, alternatives for processing the unfilled prescription information;
performing a BIDRX process comprising the steps of;
communicating, from the consumer to the processing unit, the unfilled prescription information and consumer information;
communicating, from the processing unit to the consumer, cost information for both the unfilled prescription and for any similar products, the cost information including a price, availability of any discount coupons, a co-pay for any third-party payer benefits, and a final cost to the consumer;
the consumer comparing the cost information;
the consumer selecting a prescription, the select prescription comprising the unfilled prescription or a select similar product;
communicating, from the consumer to the processing unit, the select prescription;
the prescriber modifying the unfilled prescription as needed to conform to the select prescription;
communicating the modified unfilled prescription information from the processing unit to a plurality of pre-qualified prescription fulfillment providers;
conducting a reverse auction in which the pre-qualified prescription fulfillment providers communicate to the processing unit interactive and iterative bids to fill the unfilled prescription, each fulfillment provider receiving real-time feedback communications from the processing unit regarding the status and placement of their bids in comparison to other fulfillment providers, each fulfillment provider having the option of communicating to the processing unit amended bids that include at least one of new, lower prices and ancillary services in competition with the bids of other fulfillment providers to entice the consumer to select their bid;
the processing unit providing a results communication from the processing unit to the consumer, the results communication including details of the final bid of each responding prescription fulfillment provider that made at least one bid to fill the modified unfilled prescription; and
,allowing the consumer to select a winning bid by sending an instruction communication to the processing unit,the communications between the consumer and the processing unit and the communications between the processing unit and the fulfillment providers being accomplished using input/output devices at each of the consumer, processing unit and fulfillment providers.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Unfilled prescriptions are submitted to a registry comprising pre-qualified pharmacies for a “reverse auction” in which the pharmacies bid for the opportunity to fill the prescription. The pharmacies are allowed to bid based on price and/or offering ancillary services. The auction may also be used to bid on supplying specified pharmaceutical cognitive services. The method may also include obtaining cost comparisons with generic substitutes or similar alternative pharmaceutical products. The system may further comprise automatically requesting a review by the prescriber for a list of similar substitutes or prior-authorization for third-party payers. The winner of the reverse auction is selected by the customer. A prescription benefits manager may offer options of a reverse auction, or non-auction fulfillment of the unfilled prescription in accordance with a benefit plan design.
12 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for facilitating the delivery of prescription products or services, the method comprising the steps of:
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utilizing a processing unit, the processing unit being programmed with a rules engine to carry out the steps of the method; utilizing a database for storage and retrieval of information by the processing unit; utilizing a plurality of input/output devices for communication;
conveying, from a prescriber to a consumer, unfilled prescription information;the processing unit conducting a prescription needs assessment and providing, based upon results of the prescription needs assessment, alternatives for processing the unfilled prescription information; performing a BIDRX process comprising the steps of; communicating, from the consumer to the processing unit, the unfilled prescription information and consumer information; communicating, from the processing unit to the consumer, cost information for both the unfilled prescription and for any similar products, the cost information including a price, availability of any discount coupons, a co-pay for any third-party payer benefits, and a final cost to the consumer; the consumer comparing the cost information; the consumer selecting a prescription, the select prescription comprising the unfilled prescription or a select similar product; communicating, from the consumer to the processing unit, the select prescription; the prescriber modifying the unfilled prescription as needed to conform to the select prescription; communicating the modified unfilled prescription information from the processing unit to a plurality of pre-qualified prescription fulfillment providers; conducting a reverse auction in which the pre-qualified prescription fulfillment providers communicate to the processing unit interactive and iterative bids to fill the unfilled prescription, each fulfillment provider receiving real-time feedback communications from the processing unit regarding the status and placement of their bids in comparison to other fulfillment providers, each fulfillment provider having the option of communicating to the processing unit amended bids that include at least one of new, lower prices and ancillary services in competition with the bids of other fulfillment providers to entice the consumer to select their bid; the processing unit providing a results communication from the processing unit to the consumer, the results communication including details of the final bid of each responding prescription fulfillment provider that made at least one bid to fill the modified unfilled prescription; and
,allowing the consumer to select a winning bid by sending an instruction communication to the processing unit, the communications between the consumer and the processing unit and the communications between the processing unit and the fulfillment providers being accomplished using input/output devices at each of the consumer, processing unit and fulfillment providers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for facilitating the delivery of prescription products or services, the method comprising the steps of:
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utilizing a processing unit, the processing unit being programmed with a rules engine to carry out the steps of the method; utilizing a database for storage and retrieval of information by the processing unit; utilizing a plurality of input/output devices for communication;
conveying, from a prescriber to a consumer, unfilled prescription information;
the processing unit conducting a prescription needs assessment and providing, based upon results of the prescription needs assessment, alternatives for processing the unfilled prescription information;performing a BIDRX process comprising the steps of; communicating, from the consumer to the processing unit, the unfilled prescription information and consumer information; communicating, from the processing unit to the consumer, cost information for both the unfilled prescription and for any similar products, the cost information including a price, availability of any discount coupons, a co-pay for any third-party payer benefits, and a final cost to the consumer; the consumer comparing the cost information; the consumer selecting a prescription, the select prescription comprising the unfilled prescription or a select similar product; communicating, from the consumer to the processing unit, the select prescription; the provider modifying the unfilled prescription as needed to conform to the select prescription; communicating the modified unfilled prescription information from the processing unit to a plurality of pre-qualified prescription fulfillment providers; conducting a reverse auction in which the pre-qualified prescription fulfillment providers communicate to the processing unit interactive and iterative bids to fill the modified unfilled prescription, each fulfillment provider receiving real-time feedback communications from the processing unit regarding the status and placement of their bids in comparison to other fulfillment providers, each fulfillment provider having the option of communicating to the processing unit amended bids that include at least one of new, lower prices and ancillary services in competition with the bids of other fulfillment providers to entice the consumer to select their bid; setting a predetermined time limit to conclude the reverse auction; the processing unit providing the consumer with the option of selecting a winning bid at any time during the reverse auction; the processing unit providing a results communication from the processing unit to the consumer, the results communication including details of the final bid of each responding prescription fulfillment provider that made at least one bid to fill the modified unfilled prescription; and
,allowing the consumer to select a winning bid by sending an instruction communication to the processing unit, the communications between the consumer and the processing unit and the communications between the processing unit and the fulfillment providers being accomplished using input/output devices at each of the consumer, processing unit and fulfillment providers. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification