Patents Assigned to Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8087579
    Abstract: Systems and methods for verifying branding of pharmaceutical/medical containers are provided. In some embodiments, systems for verifying branding of at least one medication container associated with at least one of a prescription and medication order are provided. The systems including: a scanning system including at least one scanner for determining the branding of at least one of a first medication container and a cap used to cover the first medication container; a transport system that transports the first medication container; and a control system that: controls the transport system to transport the first medication container to the scanning system; and controls the scanning system to determine whether the branding of at least one of the first medication container and the cap correctly matches a predetermined branding among a plurality of brandings based on predetermined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Leu, James G. McErlean, Dennis Wayne Rice
  • Patent number: 8086472
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for managing prescription benefits. Case records containing information regarding patients and prescription coverage activities for the patients are stored in the system. Users are allowed access to the system via an appropriate electronic communication network. The user can subsequently perform various tasks in order to maintain and review coverage activities. The user can also enter additional prescription coverage activities into the case records, as well as verify that information entered into the case records has been updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Alexander, William J. Jackson, Glen D. Stettin, Mark A. Carlson, Nicholas C. Taylor, Zev Juravel, Richard P. Healy
  • Patent number: 8065858
    Abstract: Systems and methods for branding medication are provided, including, a first capper system that caps a first medication container with a first cap of a first branding including first identification of a third party supplier of one of the prescription and medication order; a second capper system that caps a second medication container with a second cap of a second branding including second identification of another third party supplier of the one of the prescription and medication order; a transport system that transports the first and second medication containers; and a control system that controls the transport system to transport the first and second medication containers based on customer information, and controls the one of the first capper system and the second capper system to cap the first and second medication containers with one of the first and second caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Leu, James G. McErlean, Wayne Rice
  • Patent number: 8065165
    Abstract: An system for constructing formularies is disclosed. The system includes a central computer system and at least one additional computer. The central computer system compiles a list of various pharmaceutical products and sort them into different categories. Formularies are then created by selecting individual products or categories of products that will be covered. When prescription claims are received, coverage is either accepted or denied based on whether the products in the prescription claims are covered by the formulary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Brown, William D. Tobin, Glen D. Stettin, Roselin Daniel
  • Patent number: 8060380
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for processing phone-in prescription requests. The apparatus is in the form of a prescription processing network that includes a prescription processing system and a communication device remotely located from the prescription processing system. The communication device is used to establish a communication channel with the prescription processing system and submit a prescription request over the communication channel. A pharmacist, associated with the prescription processing system, prepares a completed prescription form based, at least in part, on the submitted prescription request. The prescription processing network also includes a pharmacy for receiving the completed prescription form, and filling the prescription request based on the completed prescription form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Sullivan, Diana L. Kosinski, Steven M. McNamara, Melissa Russo
  • Patent number: 8032398
    Abstract: An interactive computer assisted method compiles comprehensive health care information on patients in a central repository, assesses and analyzes this information, and identifies high utilizers of health care services using a computer and a user associated therewith. The method includes the steps of creating a central repository of various databases containing patient information, including demographic information and behavior, and optionally the results of a core survey of health status questions. The invention optionally involves the step of determining the appropriate core questions and the criteria to determine whether and when to ask certain questions of particular patients based on their response to prior questions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Miriam A. Kelly, Alan M. Lotvin
  • Patent number: 8032395
    Abstract: An imaging and workflow method, system, computer readable medium and user interface for processing information efficiently for the processing of medical prescription orders. The system includes support for document scanning, automated rules-based order processing, statistical reporting, document generation and document storage and retrieval. The present invention takes advantage of imaging technology to assist the user in scanning information into the system and software modules to improve the processing of orders. The present invention also includes database tables that identify to application processing logic the types and sequences of actions to be implemented for orders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott M. Helmus, Donna L. Rosen, Leo H. Bressman
  • Publication number: 20110023416
    Abstract: Systems and methods for branding medication are provided, including, a first capper system that caps a first medication container with a first cap of a first branding including first identification of a third party supplier of one of the prescription and medication order; a second capper system that caps a second medication container with a second cap of a second branding including second identification of another third party supplier of the one of the prescription and medication order; a transport system that transports the first and second medication containers; and a control system that controls the transport system to transport the first and second medication containers based on customer information, and controls the one of the first capper system and the second capper system to cap the first and second medication containers with one of the first and second caps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Leu, James G. Mcerlean, Dennis W. Rice
  • Patent number: 7853458
    Abstract: A system is provided that integrates of records of clinical laboratory services into the assessment and optimization of patient health care and, in particular, regulation of the use of pharmaceuticals. Laboratory test result records are used in conjunction with other health care benefits records to monitor regulation of use of pharmaceuticals by patients. The incorporation of laboratory tests and results into such a utilization system allows improvement in the management of a patient's therapy based on a more precise picture of the patient's level of illness as revealed by the laboratory test results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Hoffman, Monique Parr, Aida Leroy
  • Publication number: 20100312576
    Abstract: An system for constructing formularies is disclosed. The system includes a central computer system and at least one additional computer. The central computer system compiles a list of various pharmaceutical products and sort them into different categories. Formularies are then created by selecting individual products or categories of products that will be covered. When prescription claims are received, coverage is either accepted or denied based on whether the products in the prescription claims are covered by the formulary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. BROWN, William D. Tobin, Glen D. Stettin, Roselin Daniel
  • Patent number: 7837093
    Abstract: Systems and methods for verifying branding of pharmaceutical/medical containers are provided. In some embodiments, systems for verifying branding of at least one medication container associated with at least one of a prescription and medication order are provided. The systems including: a scanning system including at least one scanner for determining the branding of at least one of a first medication container and a cap used to cover the first medication container; a transport system that transports the first medication container; and a control system that: controls the transport system to transport the first medication container to the scanning system; and controls the scanning system to determine whether the branding of at least one of the first medication container and the cap correctly matches a predetermined branding among a plurality of brandings based on predetermined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Leu, James G. McErlean, Dennis Wayne Rice
  • Patent number: 7837107
    Abstract: In some embodiments, quality assurance systems for verifying branding of at least one medication container associated with at least one of a prescription and medication order are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Leu, James G. McErlean, Wayne Rice
  • Publication number: 20100281829
    Abstract: In some embodiments, containers can be, for example, labeled with a uniquely identifiable customer label. The labeled containers can be loaded into a carrier that caries containers. The carrier can be transported to and from various stations by a transport system. The container carrier can travel through, for example, a solid pharmaceutical dispensing system where all or some of the containers in the carrier can be filled with a specific quantity of pharmaceutical product. The carrier can be transported to a capping and branding station where the containers can be capped and branded. The caps can be pre-branded, blank, or a combination of pre-branded and blank. Where at least some of the containers are branded with blank caps, a carrier and/or container can be transported to a branding station that can brand caps with cap labeling information (e.g., logos, graphics, artwork, text, etc.) that can be specific to each cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Leu, James G. McErlean, Dennis W. Rice
  • Patent number: 7783502
    Abstract: An system for constructing formularies is disclosed. The system includes a central computer system and at least one additional computer. The central computer system compiles a list of various pharmaceutical products and sort them into different categories. Formularies are then created by selecting individual products or categories of products that will be covered. When prescription claims are received, coverage is either accepted or denied based on whether the products in the prescription claims are covered by the formulary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Brown, William D. Tobin, Glen D. Stettin, Roselin Daniel
  • Publication number: 20100205010
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for processing phone-in prescription requests. The apparatus is in the form of a prescription processing network that includes a prescription processing system and a communication device remotely located from the prescription processing system. The communication device is used to establish a communication channel with the prescription processing system and submit a prescription request over the communication channel. A pharmacist, associated with the prescription processing system, prepares a completed prescription form based, at least in part, on the submitted prescription request. The prescription processing network also includes a pharmacy for receiving the completed prescription form, and filling the prescription request based on the completed prescription form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Diana L. Kosinski, Mark W. Sullivan, Steven M. McNamara, Melissa Russo
  • Patent number: 7770364
    Abstract: Systems and methods for branding medication are provided, including, a first capper system that caps a first medication container with a first cap of a first branding including first identification of a third party supplier of one of the prescription and medication order; a second capper system that caps a second medication container with a second cap of a second branding including second identification of another third party supplier of the one of the prescription and medication order; a transport system that transports the first and second medication containers; and a control system that controls the transport system to transport the first and second medication containers based on customer information, and controls the one of the first capper system and the second capper system to cap the first and second medication containers with one of the first and second caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Leu, James G. McErlean, Dennis Wayne Rice
  • Patent number: 7774213
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for managing prescription benefits. Case records containing information regarding patients and prescription coverage activities for the patients are stored in the system. Users are allowed access to the system via an appropriate electronic communication network. The user can subsequently perform various tasks in order to maintain and review coverage activities. The user can also enter additional prescription coverage activities into the case records, as well as verify that information entered into the case records has been updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Alexander, William J. Jackson, Glen D. Stettin, Mark A. Carlson, Nicholas C. Taylor, Zev Juravel, Richard P. Healy
  • Patent number: RE42730
    Abstract: In an automated prescription dispensing and packing system, empty prescription bottles are labeled and loaded in assigned locations in carriers. Pills are automatically dispensed into the prescription bottles in the carriers. Ranks of carriers containing filled prescription bottles are assembled at stations where the bottles are unloaded and packed into shipping containers with literature printed by the system. Multiple bottles of an order are automatically packed in the same shipping container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Lasher, Dennis W. Rice, Michael J. Szesko, Frank Modrowsky, James G. McErlean, Michael Kennedy, Paul Thomas Shupert
  • Patent number: RE42766
    Abstract: In an automated prescription dispensing and packing system, empty prescription bottles are labeled and loaded in assigned locations in carriers. Pills are automatically dispensed into the prescription bottles in the carriers. Ranks of carriers containing filled prescription bottles are assembled at stations where the bottles are unloaded and packed into shipping containers with literature printed by the system. Multiple bottles of an order are automatically packed in the same shipping container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Lasher, Dennis W. Rice, Michael J. Szesko, Frank Modrowsky, James G. McErlean, Michael Kennedy, Paul Thomas Shupert
  • Patent number: RE42937
    Abstract: In an automated prescription dispensing and packing system, empty prescription bottles are labeled and loaded in assigned locations in carriers. Pills are automatically dispensed into the prescription bottles in the carriers. Ranks of carriers containing filled prescription bottles are assembled at stations where the bottles are unloaded and packed into shipping containers with literature printed by the system. Multiple bottles of an order are automatically packed in the same shipping container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Lasher, Dennis W. Rice, Michael J. Szesko, Frank Modrowsky, James McErlean, Michael Kennedy, Paul Thomas Shupert