US 12,469,040 B1
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for providing real-time pricing information
Stacy McCrommon, Loganville, GA (US); Scott Genone, Roswell, GA (US); Mark Beers, Lilburn, GA (US); and Keith Crozier, North Kingstown, RI (US)
Assigned to McKesson Corporation, Irving, TX (US)
Filed by McKesson Corporation, Irving, TX (US)
Filed on Apr. 24, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/138,414.
Application 18/138,414 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/499,976, filed on Oct. 13, 2021.
Application 18/138,414 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/832,318, filed on Mar. 27, 2020, granted, now 11,636,548.
Application 18/138,414 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/698,752, filed on Nov. 27, 2019, abandoned.
Application 17/499,976 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/453,509, filed on Jun. 26, 2019, granted, now 11,562,437, issued on Jan. 24, 2023.
Application 16/832,318 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/453,509, filed on Jun. 26, 2019, granted, now 11,562,437, issued on Jan. 24, 2023.
Int. Cl. G06Q 30/0201 (2023.01); G06Q 40/08 (2012.01)
CPC G06Q 30/0206 (2013.01) [G06Q 40/08 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising one or more processors and at least one memory including computer program code, that when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform steps of:
storing a time threshold, and prescription transactions comprising prior prices paid by patients for medication;
storing a special price list comprising one or more special prices for which a medication can be purchased at one or more pharmacies;
receiving from a prescriber computer, a prescription inquiry comprising a routing indication, a patient, a pharmacy, and a prescribed medication;
accessing the prescription transactions and determining at least one alternative price for which the prescribed medication is available with at least one of one or more benefits, one or more incentives, or cash discounts;
accessing the special price list and determining based on the prescription inquiry whether a special price is available;
if a special price is available:
in an instance the special price is less than the at least one alternative price, transmitting the special price to the prescriber computer;
if: (a) the special price is not available, or (b) the special price is greater than or equal to the at least one alternative price:
transmitting, based on the routing indication, the prescription inquiry to either at least one of a claims processor computer or a cash discount system;
in an instance in which a response to the transmitted prescription inquiry is received from the claims processor computer or the cash discount system within the time threshold and the response comprises a patient pay amount, transmitting the response, comprising the patient pay amount and an indication of at least one of the claims processor computer or the cash discount system from which the response was received, to the prescriber computer; and
in an instance a response to the transmitted prescription inquiry is not received from the claims processor computer or the cash discount system within the time threshold or the response received within the time threshold lacks the patient pay amount, determining an estimated cost range for the prescribed medication based on the prescription transactions, and transmitting the estimated cost range for the prescribed medication to the prescriber computer.