Patents Assigned to Express Scripts, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8851127
    Abstract: Methods and systems for pharmaceutical compounding are described. In one embodiment a system comprises a solution of a pharmaceutical in an injection vehicle, the solution being contained in a vessel. The system also includes one or more tubes, a filter, and one or more valves. The system presents a sterile environment for compounding the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Marquis, Douglas Lang
  • Publication number: 20140245835
    Abstract: Solid contents verification systems and methods are provided. The system includes a contents sensor unit, a container-carrying unit and a control unit. The contents sensor unit has at least one contents sensor configured to send and receive sonic pulses to determine a state of contents in a container. The contents sensor unit is configured to send a signal communicating a state of the contents in a container. The container-carrying unit is configured to hold a container in substantial alignment with the contents sensors to expose the contents to the sonic pulses. The control unit is operatively connected to the contents sensor unit. The control unit is configured to receive the signal communicating the state of the contents and to compare the state of the contents with a desired state of the contents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan W. JOPLIN
  • Publication number: 20140244307
    Abstract: Methods and systems for promoting mobile awareness are described. In an embodiment, a location associated with a member of a drug benefit plan is accessed. A drug benefit plan action is determined based on the location associated with the member. The drug benefit plan action is an action at least partially at the direction of a pharmacy benefit manager that administers the drug benefit plan. A drug benefit notification is generated based on the drug benefit plan action. The pharmacy notification benefit is associated with the drug benefit plan. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan T. Shutko, Mark G. Bini
  • Patent number: 8801628
    Abstract: Methods and systems for medical home testing are described. In one embodiment, the device includes a case member, a plunger member, an accumulator member and a handle member. The case member has a first distal end portion and a first proximal end portion. The first distal end portion has a distal opening and the first proximal end portion has an aperture. The plunger member is sized and configured for sliding through the aperture. The plunger member has a second distal end portion configured to slide within the case member. The accumulator member is disposed in the case member adjacent the plunger member. The accumulator member is compressed by the case member and configured for sliding through the distal opening as the plunger slides through the aperture. The handle member is attached to the accumulator member and extends through the plunger member. Other methods and systems are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventor: Lauren K. Teschendorf
  • Publication number: 20140222456
    Abstract: Methods and systems for drug purchase validation are described. In an example embodiment, drug sale data is accessed from a prescription drug wholesaler regarding prescription drugs sold to the pharmacy by the prescription drug wholesaler during a period of time. A number of units of a prescription drug sold to the pharmacy are determined based on the drug sale data during the period of time. Pharmacy claims data over the period of time is accessed, where the pharmacy claims data reflects a plurality of adjudicated claims, and the plurality of adjudicated claims are a plurality of claims that were submitted for adjudication by the pharmacy during the period of time. A number of units of a prescription drug associated with the plurality of claims submitted during the period of time by the pharmacy for adjudication are determined based on the pharmacy claims data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Jo-Ellen Abou Nader, Suzanne B. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 8799016
    Abstract: Methods and systems for managing drug usage are provided. In an embodiment, reminder data associated with a drug treatment plan of a patient is accessed. The reminder data includes a reminder time indicia and a patient identifier associated with the patient. The drug treatment plan is associated with a drug to be taken by the patient. A determination of whether a reminder criterion of the prescription drug treatment plan has been met is made based on the reminder time indicia. A patient messaging configuration is accessed based on the patient identifier. A notification is generated based on a determination that the reminder criterion has been met and the patient messaging configuration. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin C. Cohan, William G. Fogarty, IV, Bryan V. Muehlberger, Katherine H. Sundararaman
  • Patent number: 8799030
    Abstract: Methods and systems for disease management care coordination are described. In one embodiment, claim data associated with a prescription drug is integrated with additional health data from a plurality of data feeds received from a client device, a care coordination device, and a health management vendor device. The integrated data is targeted to identify a member. The integrated data associated with the member is transmitted to a patient evaluator device. The integrated data is updated using additional member information received from the patient evaluator device. Other methods and systems are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Z. Chen, Ann Hilstrom, Anthony L. Grillo
  • Patent number: 8799204
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improving therapy adherence are described. In an embodiment, a disease state associated with a member is identified. A member classification of the member is determined. The member classification may be based on past therapy the member received to treat a condition associated with the disease state. A diagnostic loop is selected based on the disease state associated with the member and the member classification. The diagnostic loop may include a plurality of operations. At least one of the plurality of operations of the diagnostic loop is performed. Other methods and systems are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Nease, Jr., Katherine Harini Sundararaman, Heather D. Sundar, Krista Lynn Theby, Tina Lynn Bauman Butcher
  • Publication number: 20140202935
    Abstract: Method and systems for sorting are described. In one embodiment, a container is released into a pocket section, with the pocket section being at a first alignment stage. The pocket section is rotated with the container away from the first alignment stage to a second alignment stage. Attributes of the container are acquired at the second alignment stage. An order to which the container belongs is identified with the acquired attributes. The pocket section with the container is rotated to a third alignment stage. The location of the third alignment stage is selected based on the identified order. The container is received to group with one or more containers in the identified order. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Joplin, Steve Hanlon
  • Patent number: 8786650
    Abstract: Systems and methods for pharmacy messaging are described. A system includes a laser module and a control module. The laser module includes a marking chamber with a plurality of laser heads therein. A first and second entry gate are adjacent the marking chamber. The first entry gate is configured to open when the second entry gate is closed. A first and second exit gate are adjacent the marking chamber at a side different from the first entry and second entry gate. The first exit gate is configured to open when the second exit gate is closed. A transporter moves the objects being marked into and out of the marking chamber through the various gates. The control module is communicatively coupled to the laser module and adapted to control the laser module. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Eller, Jacob J. Reinhardt, Katherine H. Sundararaman
  • Publication number: 20140188506
    Abstract: Methods and systems for treatment regimen management are described. In one embodiment, a treatment regimen associated with a user is determined. The treatment regimen includes treatment first treatment component and a second treatment component. The treatment regimen also includes a first treatment schedule associated with the first treatment component and a second treatment schedule associated with the second treatment component. Multiple treatment events are scheduled in an electronic calendar. The treatment events are based upon the first treatment schedule and the second treatment schedule. A treatment alert associated with each of the treatment events is generated. Other methods and systems are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Julie T. Kulawiec, Elizabeth W. Tooley
  • Publication number: 20140188505
    Abstract: Methods and systems for pharmacy location are described. In one embodiment, a plurality of pharmacy network associations of a member is determined. The pharmacy network associations are associated with a drug benefit plan of the member. A pharmacy within a pharmacy network association of the plurality of pharmacy network associations is capable of fulfilling a prescription for a prescription drug. A location associated with the member is accessed. A display is generated based on the determination of the pharmacy network associations and the location of the member. The display includes a first indicator and a second indicator. A first network pharmacy of a first pharmacy network association is associated with the first indicator on the display. A second network pharmacy of a second pharmacy network association is associated with the second indicator on the display. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin C. Cohan, Alan T. Shutko, Gary S. Wilcox, Elizabeth T. Cole
  • Patent number: 8756998
    Abstract: Solid contents verification systems and methods are provided. The system includes a contents sensor unit, a container-carrying unit and a control unit. The contents sensor unit has at least one contents sensor configured to send and receive sonic pulses to determine a state of contents in a container. The contents sensor unit is configured to send a signal communicating a state of the contents in a container. The container-carrying unit is configured to hold a container in substantial alignment with the contents sensors to expose the contents to the sonic pulses. The control unit is operatively connected to the contents sensor unit. The control unit is configured to receive the signal communicating the state of the contents and to compare the state of the contents with a desired state of the contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan W. Joplin
  • Patent number: 8762175
    Abstract: Methods and systems for promoting mobile awareness are described. In an embodiment, a location associated with a member of a drug benefit plan is accessed. A drug benefit plan action is determined based on the location associated with the member. The drug benefit plan action is an action at least partially at the direction of a pharmacy benefit manager that administers the drug benefit plan. A drug benefit notification is generated based on the drug benefit plan action. The pharmacy notification benefit is associated with the drug benefit plan. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan T. Shutko, Mark G. Bini
  • Patent number: 8738399
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, drug sale data is accessed from a prescription drug wholesaler regarding prescription drugs sold to the pharmacy by the prescription drug wholesaler during a period of time. Pharmacy claims data over the period of time is accessed, where the pharmacy claims data reflects a plurality of claims that were submitted for adjudication by the pharmacy during the period of time. A number of units of a prescription drug associated with the plurality of claims submitted during the period of time by the pharmacy for adjudication are determined based on the pharmacy claims data. This number of units of the prescription drug is compared with the number of units of the prescription drug sold to the pharmacy. A determination is then made as to whether a discrepancy exists based on the results of the comparison. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Jo-Ellen Abou Nader, Suzanne B. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 8731711
    Abstract: Method and systems for sorting are described. In one embodiment, a container is released into a pocket section, with the pocket section being at a first alignment stage. The pocket section is rotated with the container away from the first alignment stage to a second alignment stage. Attributes of the container are acquired at the second alignment stage. An order to which the container belongs is identified with the acquired attributes. The pocket section with the container is rotated to a third alignment stage. The location of the third alignment stage is selected based on the identified order. The container is received to group with one or more containers in the identified order. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Joplin, Steve Hanlon
  • Patent number: 8706523
    Abstract: Methods and systems for treatment regimen management are described. In one embodiment, a treatment regimen associated with a user is determined. The treatment regimen includes treatment first treatment component and a second treatment component. The treatment regimen also includes a first treatment schedule associated with the first treatment component and a second treatment schedule associated with the second treatment component. Multiple treatment events are scheduled in an electronic calendar. The treatment events are based upon the first treatment schedule and the second treatment schedule. A treatment alert associated with each of the treatment events is generated. Other methods and systems are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Julie T. Kulawiec, Elizabeth W. Tooley
  • Patent number: 8706522
    Abstract: Methods and systems for pharmacy location are described. In one embodiment, a plurality of pharmacy network associations of a member is determined. The pharmacy network associations are associated with a drug benefit plan of the member. A pharmacy within a pharmacy network association of the plurality of pharmacy network associations is capable of fulfilling a prescription for a prescription drug. A location associated with the member is accessed. A display is generated based on the determination of the pharmacy network associations and the location of the member. The display includes a first indicator and a second indicator. A first network pharmacy of a first pharmacy network association is associated with the first indicator on the display. A second network pharmacy of a second pharmacy network association is associated with the second indicator on the display. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin C. Cohan, Alan T. Shutko, Gary S. Wilcox, Elizabeth T. Cole
  • Patent number: 8682704
    Abstract: Methods and systems for scheduling wellness based meetings are described. In one embodiment, meeting data associated with a meeting is accessed. A meeting type designation is received. The meeting type designation designates the meeting as a walking meeting, a standing meeting, or a sitting meeting. Updated meeting data based on the meeting data and the meeting type designation is stored. Other methods and systems are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Nease, Jr., Katherine Harini Sundararaman, John T. Reid
  • Patent number: 8666926
    Abstract: A system and method for improving adherence to therapy programs, in particular to adherence to medication therapy and/or to healthcare therapy, that includes medication therapy. Methods of the present invention may also be used to improve compliance with and/or adherence to other wellness and/or health care programs. Methods and systems of the invention may include methods of identifying patients who are at risk of non-adherence, non-compliance, or likelihood of cessation with a therapy program, predicting a basis for such noncompliance, and targeting interventions directed to patients who have been identified as likely to be non-compliant, wherein interventions take into consideration the predicted basis for noncompliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Nease, David A. Tomala, Seda Follis, Tina L. Bauman Butcher