METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING DRUG PRICING INFORMATION FROM MULTIPLE PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS (PBMS)
A system according to certain aspects of the disclosure provides drug pricing information from multiple PBMs to users. For example, the system may obtain, calculate, and/or estimate drug prices that are available under contracts or agreements between PBMs and various pharmacies. These prices may be prices of drugs for purchase at the various pharmacies. In response to requests for prices of particular drugs, the system can display relevant prices. For example, the system displays a price for each pharmacy chain and/or displays prices for a particular geographical area. The users can compare the prices for a particular drug and determine which pharmacy they would like to purchase the drug from. The system can provide a discount coupon that allows the users to purchase the drug at the price listed by the system at the selected pharmacy.
1 . A method of displaying prices for drugs from a plurality of pharmacy benefit managers, the method comprising:
using one or more computing devices comprising computer hardware:
providing a user interface;
receiving from the user interface information identifying a first drug;
obtaining a first set of prices for the first drug that is associated with a first pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), wherein a pharmacy benefit manager processes a claim relating to a drug and has an agreement with a pharmacy relating to a price of one or more drugs, the first set of prices comprising at least one price for the first drug;
obtaining a second set of prices for the first drug that is associated with a second pharmacy benefit manager, the second set of prices comprising at least one price for the first drug; and
displaying in the user interface the first set of prices and the second set of prices.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a selection of a price from the first set of prices and the second set of prices displayed in the user interface; and
generating a discount card or a discount coupon that provides access to the selected price for a purchase of the first drug at a pharmacy associated with the selected price.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the selected price is not available to a customer for the purchase of the first drug at the pharmacy from a PBM associated with the selected price without the discount card or the discount coupon.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the selected price is provided under an agreement with the PBM associated with the selected price, the agreement being different from an agreement between the PBM associated with the selected price and the pharmacy associated with the selected price.
5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the discount card or the discount coupon comprises an identification number that is recognized by a PBM associated with the selected price.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the first PBM administers claims relating to a first health insurance plan, and an agreement between the first PBM and a first pharmacy specifies a price of the first drug for a member of the first health insurance plan and a first price of the first drug for a customer that is not a member of the first health insurance plan, the first set of prices comprising the first price of the first drug for a customer that is not a member of the first health insurance plan; and
the second PBM administers claims relating to a second health insurance plan, and an agreement between the second PBM and a second pharmacy specifies a price of the first drug for a member of the second health insurance plan and a second price of the first drug for a customer that is not a member of the second health insurance plan, the second set of prices comprising the second price of the first drug for a customer that is not a member of the second health insurance plan.
7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
displaying in the user interface the first price and the second price of the first drug for a customer that is not a member of the first health insurance plan and that is not a member of the second health insurance plan; and
in response to selection of the first price received from the user interface, generating a discount coupon for a purchase of the first drug at the first price at the first pharmacy.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the information identifying the first drug comprises a name of the first drug.
9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving from the user interface location information; and
prior to said displaying the first set of prices and the second set of prices, filtering the first set of prices and the second set of prices based on the location information.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one price in the first set of prices is obtained by using an API provided by the first PBM.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one price in the first set of prices is obtained based on pricing rules for the first drug provided by the first PBM.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first set of prices comprises a first price for the first drug determined by an agreement between the first PBM and a first pharmacy and the second set of prices comprises a second price for the first drug determined by an agreement between the second PBM and the first pharmacy.
13 . A system for displaying prices for drugs from a plurality of pharmacy benefit managers, the system comprising:
one or more computing devices comprising computer hardware configured to:
receive a request for one or more prices for a first drug;
obtain a first set of prices for the first drug that is associated with a first pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), wherein a pharmacy benefit manager processes a claim relating to a drug and has an agreement with a pharmacy relating to a price of one or more drugs, the first set of prices comprising at least one price for the first drug;
obtain a second set of prices for the first drug that is associated with a second pharmacy benefit manager, the second set of prices comprising at least one price for the first drug; and
display in the user interface the first set of prices and the second set of prices.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the one or more computing devices are further configured to:
receive a selection of a price from the first set of prices and the second set of prices displayed in the user interface; and
generate a discount card or a discount coupon that provides access to the selected price for a purchase of the first drug at a pharmacy associated with the selected price.
15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the selected price is not available to a customer for the purchase of the first drug at the pharmacy from a PBM associated with the selected price without the discount card or the discount coupon.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the selected price is provided under an agreement with the PBM associated with the selected price, the agreement being different from an agreement between the PBM associated with the selected price and the pharmacy associated with the selected price.
17 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the discount card or the discount coupon comprises an identification number that is recognized by a PBM associated with the selected price.
18 . The system of claim 13 , wherein:
the first PBM administers claims relating to a first health insurance plan, and an agreement between the first PBM and a first pharmacy specifies a price of the first drug for a member of the first health insurance plan and a first price of the first drug for a customer that is not a member of the first health insurance plan, the first set of prices comprising the first price of the first drug for a customer that is not a member of the first health insurance plan; and
the second PBM administers claims relating to a second health insurance plan, and an agreement between the second PBM and a second pharmacy specifies a price of the first drug for a member of the second health insurance plan and a second price of the first drug for a customer that is not a member of the second health insurance plan, the second set of prices comprising the second price of the first drug for a customer that is not a member of the second health insurance plan.
19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the one or more computing devices are further configured to:
display in the user interface the first price and the second price of the first drug for a customer that is not a member of the first health insurance plan and that is not a member of the second health insurance plan; and
in response to selection of the first price received from the user interface, generate a discount coupon for a purchase of the first drug at the first price at the first pharmacy.
20 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the first set of prices comprises a first price for the first drug determined by an agreement between the first PBM and a first pharmacy and the second set of prices comprises a second price for the first drug determined by an agreement between the second PBM and the first pharmacy.