As pharmacies continue to deal in real time with fallout
from the COVID-19 pandemic, most have done a yeoman's job in improvising ways
to continue to serve patients while
prioritizing safety and wellness. While the term "social distancing"
didn't even exist a year ago, pharmacies have become models of efficiency in
maintaining safe distances through the widespread use of point-of-sale tables,
plex-glass barriers, one-way aisles and, of course, delivery services. While these solutions are helping to maintain
distance between patients and employees, pharmacies likely have another tool at
their disposal that can further assist during this unprecedented time.
Specifically, pharmacy managers need to ensure they are
taking full advantage of their technology management solutions. The PrimeRx™ system, for example, includes
multiple capabilities that can automatically manage key pharmacy functions,
thereby freeing up staff to handle the multitude of daily front burner
issues.
A quick overview of some critical PrimeRx™ functionalities
includes:
Delivery Services
PrimeDELIVERY™ manages the logistics, signature capture,
documentation, and co-pay collection components of a pharmacy delivery
service. PrimeDELIVERY™ integrates with
the PrimeRx™ pharmacy management system to ensure the highest levels of quality
control, records management, and efficiency.
- Remote Signature Capability. PrimeDELIVERY™ allows for remote
HIPAA-compliant signature capture, with signatures and transaction information
automatically transferred to the main PrimeRx™ management system and added to
the patient's record. The system
provides patients with an easy-to-use, flexible solution that even allows a
delivery to be made if the patient is not at home to accept delivery. Instead, an advance electronic signature
request is sent to the individual, who then provides an electronic signature
that is automatically transmitted back to the pharmacy and uploaded to the
patient record.
- Delivery Route Optimization. Google Maps-based route optimization ensures
deliveries follow an efficient, logical course.
In addition, ready access to a map allows pharmacists to quickly
determine if an address falls within its home delivery radius.
Contactless, Electronic Co-pay Collection.
PrimeRxPAY™ is the latest addition to the
PrimeRx™ suite of solutions. With
PrimeRxPAY™, pharmacies can seamlessly manage co-pay collection and receipt
issuance for medications dispensed from within PrimeRx™. PrimeRxPAY™ enables contactless electronic copay
transactions. Here's a brief overview of
how it works:
- PrimeRxPAY™ integrates with the PrimeRx™
Pharmacy Management System to access each patient's account. From there, all prescriptions for which
co-pays need to be collected can be identified from within the patient’s
profile lookup within the PrimeRxPAY™ pharmacy profile.
- A text message is then sent to the patient,
advising that a co-payment is due. The
text will include a URL link that directs the patient to a "co-pay
invoice." That invoice will include
a "masked" (partially obscured) prescription number and drug name. (A
prescription for Advair, for example, might appear as: A*****.)
- The copay invoice includes a "Click Here
for Payment" button that will direct the patient to a secure page, where
credit card information can be submitted, and the co-pay transaction
finalized.
- A receipt will be automatically transmitted back
to the patient, with the pharmacy's records seamlessly updated within the
PrimeRxPAY™ pharmacy profile.
- PrimeRxPAY™ does not require the use of
PrimeCOMM™ Communications Module for texting, or PrimePOS™ Pharmacy Point-of-Sale System for transaction processing.
- PrimeRxPAY™ is an ideal solution for pharmacies
seeking to provide an alternative to touch pads and cash exchanges.
Shipment Preparation
PrimeSHIPPING™ provides a highly efficient solution for
mail-order pharmacies and retail pharmacies that offer shipping services. The PrimeSHIPPING™ module integrates directly
with PrimeRx™ with critical benefits including:
- Patient name and address information are
exported directly from PrimeRx™ for shipment label generation. This avoids staff members from having to
manually reenter this information when generating a label from the pharmacy's
designated shipping software manager.
- Data is automatically imported from the shipping
provider's software. This ensures
shipment tracking information will be captured within PrimeRx™ and easily accessible to staff members.
- Seamlessly export patient name and address information from PrimeRx™ into the pharmacy's designated shipping software manager to eliminate steps from your shipping process.
- Automatically import shipment tracking information from the shipping provider's software into PrimeRx™.
Value-Added Interface
ScriptDrop prescription delivery service is
available to PrimeRx™ users for a monthly subscription fee. Through ScriptDrop, pharmacies have immediate
access to a network of delivery providers to ensure guaranteed, on-time
deliveries based on patient need.
Pharmacy staff can access ScriptDrop directly from the PrimeRx™
navigation menu.
Communication
The PrimeCOMM™ module allows pharmacies to easily
communicate with patients via secure, two-way outbound calling, SMS/TXT or
email. The PrimeCOMM™ solution is built
into the PrimeRx™ management system, and integrates seamlessly with a
pharmacy's daily workflow with capabilities that include:
- Pre-programmed outbound emails, texts and phone calls to patients
- Personalized Messages
- Prescription refill reminders
- "Ready for pickup" reminders
- Notification that a prescription has been received
- Dosage/Adherence reminder.
- Receive inbound text and email messages from patients
Workflow Efficiency
Pharmacists were already over-extended before the COVID-19 crisis struck,
with the 2019 National Pharmacist Workforce Survey reporting more than 70
percent of pharmacists believe their workloads are "high" or
"excessively high."
Pharmacists had a full plate before the pandemic changed everything,
which means a greater need for time-management tools. PrimeRx can help improve daily workflows in
several critical areas that include:
Refills Management
The FillMyRefills™ app allows patients to submit refill requests directly
from their home computers or personal devices.
Refills can be submitted 24/7, eliminating the need to call or visit the
pharmacy.
- The app directs patients to a web portal, where
they can create an account and submit refill requests directly to the
pharmacy. The web portal can be
accessed from any PC, tablet, smartphone or internet-connected device.
- FillMyRefills™ was originally intended as a
convenience for pharmacy customers but has become a vital tool in helping to
ensure contact-less transactions.
- Refill requests transmitted via the app are
automatically added to the pharmacy's daily work queue, with all records
recorded in the main PrimeRx™ operating system.
Inventory Management
PrimeRx™ simplifies the critically important - and time-consuming - inventory management process with capabilities that include:
- Automated dispensing. Drug levels are monitored within PrimeRx™,
with inventory subtracted each time a prescription is filled. The system can interface with an automated
dispensing device which eliminates the need for manual pill counting, thereby
reducing the risk of an error occurring while allowing more prescriptions to be
filled in less time.
- Automatic medication reordering. A pharmacy manager can determine preferred
inventory levels for medications and trigger an automatic reorder when the
supply of a particular drug reaches that level.
Pharmacies also have the option to manage inventory from the
convenience of the PrimeINVENTORY™ app.
The app is compatible with Android, iPhone and other smart devices, and
provides broad capabilities that include:
- Scanning capability: A pharmacy manager's device becomes a
powerful barcode scanner and can be used to read codes found on medication
bottles and packages.
- Inventory management: Inventory counts can be monitored in real
time, with new products "checked-in" as they arrive from wholesalers
or distributors.
- Drug search capability: Specific drugs can be identified either via
barcode, or by entering an NDC or item code.
- Report capability: Customized inventory-related reports can be
requested directly from a device.
- Workflow visibility: Real-time insight into pharmacy activity with
regard to prescription queues, bin activity, and individual prescriptions.
Prior Authorizations
Prior authorization (PA) management has long been a pain point for
pharmacists, but the time and emotion the process requires is exacerbated
during this time of crisis. Pharmacists often find themselves having to inform
patients that a prescription request has been denied by an insurance company or
other payer. Too often, pharmacists act
as liaisons between the patient and prescriber.
PrimeRx™ offers capabilities that help streamline the PA
process, thereby facilitating the initial request, adding visibility, and
helping to accelerate the decision-making process. Key capabilities include:
- Direct integration with the CoverMyMeds
platform, which is the U.S. healthcare industry's primary platform for
electronic transmission of prior authorization requests. This direct linkage automates the process of
exchanging patient health and medication information, and also allows providers
to initiate PA requests after a rejection at the pharmacy. One study of more than 4,000 prior
authorizations submitted electronically found the automated process reduced
turn-around time by as much as 90 percent, and entirely eliminated incidences
of missing information.
- Direct integration allows pharmacies to easily
track the status of PA requests. This
real-time visibility reduces the need for pharmacy staff to spend time on
follow-up phone calls, and allows pharmacies to update patients, thereby
minimizing instances of patients arriving at the pharmacy only to learn their
prescription has been rejected.
- Facilitated recordkeeping. Prior authorization outcomes – including
rejections – can automatically be added to patient records, thereby ensuring
real-time access to complete patient prescription histories.
Each of the capabilities outlined above can have a measurable impact in helping pharmacies manage during this unprecedented period. But implemented as a whole, the results can be truly significant.
If your pharmacy has yet to integrate any of these PrimeRx™ capabilities, you may be missing out on opportunities to streamline key processes. Please contact Micro Merchant Systems today, and we will be pleased to have a technician consult with you about obtaining maximum efficiency from your pharmacy management system.
At Micro Merchant Systems, we have the deepest respect for our pharmacy partners as they continue to serve on the front lines of this healthcare emergency. Our partners can count on us to help in any way we can.
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Don’t forget to check out our COVID19 Resource page for latest info on
assistance to Independent Retail Pharmacies.