When a provider leverages Real-Time Prescription Benefit to view patient-specific cost and coverage information in the ePrescribing workflow, they can easily switch to covered medications, lower-cost options, or various pharmacy locations. Unfortunately, most vendors are not able to measure medication switches and the benefit to the patient or health system.
Measuring Switches and Patient Savings
With new data connections and analytic insights, Arrive Health is able to track what prescription was originally pended and if the provider made a switch to a different med, a different fulfillment option (e.g. pharmacy location, mail-order, etc.), or an option that avoided a restriction (like a prior authorization).
This level of detailed reporting enables Arrive Health to partner more closely with provider partners, reduce order variability, and identify opportunities for low-cost, high-value prescribing. For example, Arrive Health found that one doctor at a health system in Colorado was able to save a patient $769 dollars by switching a heartburn medication from the patient’s preferred pharmacy to the mail-order option. $769!
Research has shown that decreasing patient costs increases their care adherence. Therefore, if you can surface clinically-relevant, lower-cost medication options, there is an opportunity to dramatically improve health outcomes – at scale.
Numerous examples demonstrate switch types taking place because of the data within the Arrive Health RTPB display window:
- A provider from Wisconsin switched from a 2% cream to a 2% ointment of mupirocin, saving a patient $168.
- A provider from Pennsylvania switched a diabetes medication order from a patient-preferred pharmacy to a recommended local pharmacy, saving a patient $92.
- A provider from North Carolina switched from a non-covered anti-fungal medication to a covered option, saving a patient $43 and avoiding a prior authorization.
What’s Next?
These examples are only a glimpse into the meaningful impact RTPB can have on patient affordability and access. With Arrive Health’s industry-leading accurate data at their fingertips, providers can make more informed prescribing decisions and improve medication adherence. Further, health systems can identify areas for improvement, measure impact, and drive ongoing value.
Reach out to learn about how we can help you enable – and measure – medication switches at your health system.
