Usually Benefit sponsors already have a system in place to be replaced by the PBM Internet solution. If these Benefit sponsors have a retrospective system the datafiles can easily be converted to the formats required by the PBM software. (Those firms without an existing Drug Benefit program will have the additional task of manually creating a database of members if no system records exist.)

INTERFACING PBM SOFTWARE WITH TODAY'S BATCH SYSTEM

The PBM system’s TeleRx module will be used at each dispensing location for order entry and adjudication of Rx prescriptions. This module has a similar Rx entry screen to the inventory Rx order entry screen. Consequently the amount of training for orientation of the store operators will be minimal compared to the training necessary for the inauguration of an entirely new system.

Additionally, the PBM vendor/supplier will provide a training module available on the Internet for any new employees.

This TeleRx module is a seasoned product and has been successfully operating in a variety of venues for over ten years. It employs the latest ease-of-operation data entry tools. AJAX, a dynamic data lookup tool, starts immediately to display matching record scrolling lists as each character is entered by the operator. This feature accelerates entry by targeting matching records almost immediately ("on-the-fly") for mouse selection without additional entry characters.

Each TeleRx screen can accommodate up to 4 separate Rxs for one recipient transaction. This, also, is a great time saver particularly since Chronic Disease patients often have more than one drug prescribed.

The operator launches the adjudication processing for each recipient before dispensing any drug. The system records each approved and completed transaction. These may be displayed as a daily transaction batch at any time during the day. Ultimately the day’s batch will be transferred automatically to the Inventory system.

The PBM system will interface with the Inventory system by transferring transaction batches for each day at some prescribed scheduled time late in the evening of the same day and from each store location.

After transfer of a the batch transaction from each store in the network of stores, the Inventory system completes its daily processing for computation of an up-to-date inventory status for the next day. This determines the scheduling of deliveries for that day.

No special development is required for integrating the two systems since the Inventory system processes batches of data where no synchronization is required with the PBM system.

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