Drug Pricing Interface for Multi-Tier Prescription-Free Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional price look-up solutions do not provide patients with co-pay or membership prices for prescription drugs without requiring a prescription, limiting their ability to make informed decisions based on drug pricing.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows users to access multi-tiered prescription drug pricing information, including cash, co-pay, and membership prices, via a graphical user interface without a valid prescription, by utilizing a database schema that enables access to this information and generates notifications with pricing details.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional price look-up solutions require a prescription to access prescription drug pricing information, then pharmacy security and authorization requirements are maintained, but patients cannot obtain pricing information before visiting the doctor or when comparing alternative drugs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pricing information retrieval function from the prescription fulfillment process. The system allows patients to query drug pricing information without submitting a prescription, separating the information lookup function from the prescription validation requirement. This enables patients to obtain pricing data independently before deciding whether to pursue prescription fulfillment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the system validates patient identity and drug eligibility through alternative means without requiring a physical prescription. The intermediary process involves checking patient profiles, insurance coverage, and drug formulary status to authorize pricing information disclosure without the traditional prescription barrier.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pharmacies provide only cash prices for prescription drugs without prescriptions, then access is simplified, but patients cannot see co-pay or membership price options that require prescription context
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal access mechanism that provides multiple pricing tiers (cash price, co-pay price, membership price) through a single inquiry interface. The system determines which price options to display based on patient profile and insurance status, making the pricing system universally accessible while adapting the displayed information to individual patient contexts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of price accessibility by allowing pricing information to be displayed in multiple formats (cash price, co-pay price, membership price) based on patient eligibility. The system dynamically adjusts which price parameters are revealed without changing the fundamental access mechanism, providing comprehensive pricing information through a unified interface.
3Loss of information
If the system displays multiple pricing tiers (cash, co-pay, membership) without prescriptions, then patient decision-making is improved, but database security and access control mechanisms must be enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary validation of patient identity and insurance eligibility before retrieving or displaying any pricing information. The system pre-authenticates users and pre-verifies their coverage status, ensuring that only authorized patients can access pricing data. This preliminary action maintains database security while enabling comprehensive pricing transparency for eligible users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously verifies patient eligibility and updates available pricing options based on current insurance status and formulary information. The feedback loop ensures that pricing information displayed is both accurate and authorized, maintaining security while providing real-time pricing transparency across multiple tiers.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are disclosed providing drug pricing information for display on a graphical user interface (GUI). The methods and systems may receive an electronic request from an electronic device that includes information that identifies the user and a prescription drug. The systems and methods transmit the information and an overriding indicator to a database management module configured to access information for the prescription drug, and prevent access to the drug pricing information without additional information unless the overriding indicator is received. Based upon the information and the overriding indicator, the systems and methods determine drug pricing information for the prescription drug, which includes a cash price for the prescription drug. The systems and methods generate a notification that includes the drug pricing information, and transmit the notification to the electronic device for display via the GUI.