Patents Assigned to Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7412814
    Abstract: Computer assisted systems, methods and mediums for filling one or more orders. One embodiment of the present invention is a system that includes an order consolidation station configured to receive at least one bottle containing pills individually counted and/or at least one package containing pharmaceutical products without having been designated for any of the orders when the package was created and/or at least one literature pack optionally including patient specific information. The order consolidation station is further configured to combine automatically the received bottle and/or package and/or literature pack into a container to be sent to a recipient including, for example, mail order pharmacies, wholesalers and/or central fill dealers for subsequent distribution or sale including retailer distribution or sale. The bottle is specifically designated for the order, and the order generally includes at least one prescription for the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Wayne Rice, James G. McErlean, E. Christian Hess, P. Thomas Shupert, Chih-Jen Leu, Robert G. Howell, Michael J. Szesko, Andrew P. Booler, Peter Monkhouse, Douglas W. Walton, Michael W. G. Bell, Christopher J. Lasher, Thomas P. Bonkenburg
  • Patent number: 7409977
    Abstract: A method of labeling of a container including a medication includes, in at least one embodiment, reducing the size of the label using a label apparatus and reducing the label size using the label apparatus, applying a surface securing adhesive to at least one surface securing section of the label using an adhesive application apparatus, and attaching the at least one surface securing section of the label to the container with the securing adhesive. The method also includes applying a label securing adhesive to the label to maintain the label in the reduced orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Wayne Rice, James G. McErlean, E. Christian Hess, Andrew P. Booler, Allen Petten, P. Thomas Shupert, Michael Joseph Szesko, Orlando Vidal, Mark A. Detri
  • Patent number: 7386965
    Abstract: A system and method places a printed label on a bag. A first plurality of rollers can feed one or more bags, and a second plurality of rollers can feed one or more labels. A tamp pad can place the label on the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. McErlean, Chih-Jen Leu, Michael J. Szesko
  • Patent number: 7386465
    Abstract: A method of allocating resources includes scheduling jobs from among a plurality of resources of a work-producing system. The work producing system is a pharmacy. The method includes the steps of sorting, in a predetermined order, available resources to be utilized in the pharmacy by a last task assignment, a number of tasks performable, rate per task, and/or cost per hour, and determining one or more queues responsive to the sorting. The method also includes the step of normalizing the queue by dividing a current task queue by an average rate of the available resources for each task in the current task queue. The method also includes the step of assigning the available resources to one or more tasks with a predetermined normalized queue, subject to at least one task constraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Friedland, Karmon Lai, Paul I. Wood, Jen-Shyang Chen
  • Publication number: 20070203752
    Abstract: A software-based, integrated member decision support system provides a method for corporations, insurance carriers, health maintenance organizations, physicians, physician groups, or other clients to efficiently provide medical, pharmaceutical, and health benefit advice and information for an enrolled population. The system contains one or more databases which include member profiles, clinical information and guidelines, pharmaceutical information and guidelines, health benefit information, and optional additional information. A caller establishes communication with the system, which directs the caller to an operator who provides the caller with medical, pharmaceutical, and/or health benefit advice based on an inquiry from the caller and the information stored on the system. The system may automatically alert the caller or the operator of important medical or pharmaceutical information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Brinkman, Wayne Gattinella, William Kleinfelter, Glen Stettin, David Angaran, J. Teagarden
  • Publication number: 20070169439
    Abstract: Computer assisted systems, methods and mediums for filling one or more orders. One embodiment of the present invention is a system that includes an order consolidation station configured to receive at least one bottle containing pills individually counted and/or at least one package containing pharmaceutical products without having been designated for any of the orders when the package was created and/or at least one literature pack optionally including patient specific information. The order consolidation station is further configured to combine automatically the received bottle and/or package and/or literature pack into a container to be sent to a recipient including, for example, mail order pharmacies, wholesalers and/or central fill dealers for subsequent distribution or sale including retailer distribution or sale. The bottle is specifically designated for the order, and the order generally includes at least one prescription for the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Rice, James McErlean, E. Hess, P. Shupert, Chih-Jen Leu, Robert Howell, Michael Szesko, Andrew Booler, Peter Monkhouse, Douglas Walton, Michael Bell, Christopher Lasher, Thomas Bonkenburg
  • Patent number: 7216084
    Abstract: A software-based, integrated member decision support system provides a method for corporations, insurance carriers, health maintenance organizations, physicians, physician groups, or other clients to efficiently provide medical, pharmaceutical, and health benefit advice and information for an enrolled population. A caller is, for example, directed to an operator who provides the caller with medical, pharmaceutical, and/or health benefit advice based on an inquiry from the caller and the information stored on the system. The system may automatically alert the caller or the operator of important medical or pharmaceutical information. At the conclusion of the call, the system or the system with the operator's input, may updated the caller's member profile, request written materials, generate referrals, order prescriptions, or generate reports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Brinkman, Wayne Gattinella, William Kleinfelter, Glen Stettin, David Angaran, J. Russel Teagarden
  • Patent number: 7185477
    Abstract: Computer assisted systems, methods and mediums for filling one or more orders. One embodiment of the present invention is a system that includes an order consolidation station configured to receive at least one bottle containing pills individually counted and/or at least one package containing pharmaceutical products without having been designated for any of the orders when the package was created and/or at least one literature pack optionally including patient specific information. The order consolidation station is further configured to combine automatically the received bottle and/or package and/or literature pack into a container to be sent to a recipient including, for example, mail order pharmacies, wholesalers and/or central fill dealers for subsequent distribution or sale including retailer distribution or sale. The bottle is specifically designated for the order, and the order generally includes at least one prescription for the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis W. Rice, James G. McErlean, E. Christian Hess, P. Thomas Shupert, Chih-Jen Leu, Robert G. Howell, Michael J. Szesko, Andrew P. Booler, Peter Monkhouse, Douglas W. Walton, Michael W. G. Bell, Christopher J. Lasher, Thomas P. Bonkenburg
  • Patent number: 7155397
    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: January 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    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: 7124031
    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: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Hoffman, Monique Parr, Aida A. Leroy
  • Publication number: 20060229915
    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: June 5, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Applicant: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Diana Kosinski, Mark Sullivan, Steven McNamara, Melissa Russo
  • Patent number: 7058584
    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: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Diana L. Kosinski, Mark W. Sullivan, Steven M. McNamara, Melissa Russo
  • Publication number: 20060107623
    Abstract: Computer assisted systems, methods and mediums for filling one or more orders. One embodiment of the present invention is a system that includes an order consolidation station configured to receive at least one bottle containing pills individually counted and/or at least one package containing pharmaceutical products without having been designated for any of the orders when the package was created and/or at least one literature pack optionally including patient specific information. The order consolidation station is further configured to combine automatically the received bottle and/or package and/or literature pack into a container to be sent to a recipient including, for example, mail order pharmacies, wholesalers and/or central fill dealers for subsequent distribution or sale including retailer distribution or sale. The bottle is specifically designated for the order, and the order generally includes at least one prescription for the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Publication date: May 25, 2006
    Applicant: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Rice, James McErlean, E. Christian Hess, P. Shupert, Chih-Jen Leu, Robert Howell, Michael Szesko, Andrew Booler, Peter Monkhouse, Douglas Walton, Michael W. Bell, Christopher Lasher, Thomas Bonkenburg
  • Publication number: 20060090422
    Abstract: A system and method places a printed label on a bag. A first plurality of rollers can feed one or more bags, and a second plurality of rollers can feed one or more labels. A tamp pad can place the label on the bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Applicant: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: James McErlean, Chih-Jen Leu, Michael Szesko
  • Publication number: 20060074521
    Abstract: Computer assisted systems, methods and mediums for filling one or more orders. One embodiment of the present invention is a system that includes an order consolidation station configured to receive at least one bottle containing pills individually counted and/or at least one package containing pharmaceutical products without having been designated for any of the orders when the package was created and/or at least one literature pack optionally including patient specific information. The order consolidation station is further configured to combine automatically the received bottle and/or package and/or literature pack into a container to be sent to a recipient including, for example, mail order pharmacies, wholesalers and/or central fill dealers for subsequent distribution or sale including retailer distribution or sale. The bottle is specifically designated for the order, and the order generally includes at least one prescription for the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Applicant: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Rice, James McErlean, E. Hess, P. Shupert, Chih-Jen Leu, Robert Howell, Michael Szesko, Andrew Booler, Peter Monkhouse, Douglas Walton, Michael Bell, Christopher Lasher, Thomas Bonkenburg
  • Patent number: 7010899
    Abstract: A system and method places a printed label on a bag. A first plurality of rollers can feed one or more bags, and a second plurality of rollers can feed one or more labels. A tamp pad can place the label on the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. McErlean, Chih-Jen Leu, Michael Joseph Szesko
  • Patent number: 6983579
    Abstract: Computer assisted systems, methods and mediums for filling one or more orders. One embodiment of the present invention is a system that includes an order consolidation station configured to receive at least one bottle containing pills individually counted and/or at least one package containing pharmaceutical products without having been designated for any of the orders when the package was created and/or at least one literature pack optionally including patient specific information. The order consolidation station is further configured to combine automatically the received bottle and/or package and/or literature pack into a container to be sent to a recipient including, for example, mail order pharmacies, wholesalers and/or central fill dealers for subsequent distribution or sale including retailer distribution or sale. The bottle is specifically designated for the order, and the order generally includes at least one prescription for the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Wayne Rice, James G. McErlean, E. Christian Hess, P. Thomas Shupert, Chih-Jen Leu, Robert Gregory Howell, Michael Joseph Szesko, Andrew P. Booler, Peter Monkhouse, Douglas W. Walton, Michael W. G. Bell, Christopher J. Lasher, Thomas P. Bonkenburg
  • Patent number: 6970769
    Abstract: Computer assisted systems, methods and mediums for filling one or more orders. One embodiment of the present invention is a system that includes an order consolidation station configured to receive at least one bottle containing pills individually counted and/or at least one package containing pharmaceutical products without having been designated for any of the orders when the package was created and/or at least one literature pack optionally including patient specific information. The order consolidation station is further configured to combine automatically the received bottle and/or package and/or literature pack into a container to be sent to a recipient including, for example, mail order pharmacies, wholesalers and/or central fill dealers for subsequent distribution or sale including retailer distribution or sale. The bottle is specifically designated for the order, and the order generally includes at least one prescription for the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Wayne Rice, James G. McErlean, E. Christian Hess, P. Thomas Shupert, Chih-Jen Leu, Robert Gregory Howell, Michael Joseph Szesko, Andrew P. Booler, Peter Monkhouse, Douglas W. Walton, Michael W. G. Bell, Christopher J. Lasher, Thomas P. Bonkenburg
  • Patent number: 6892512
    Abstract: Computer assisted systems, methods and mediums for filling one or more orders. One embodiment of the present invention is a system that includes an order consolidation station configured to receive at least one bottle containing pills individually counted and/or at least one package containing pharmaceutical products without having been designated for any of the orders when the package was created and/or at least one literature pack optionally including patient specific information. The order consolidation station is further configured to combine automatically the received bottle and/or package and/or literature pack into a container to be sent to a recipient including, for example, mail order pharmacies, wholesalers and/or central fill dealers for subsequent distribution or sale including retailer distribution or sale. The bottle is specifically designated for the order, and the order generally includes at least one prescription for the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Wayne Rice, James G. McErlean, E. Christian Hess, P. Thomas Shupert, Chih-Jen Leu, Robert Gregory Howell, Michael Joseph Szesko, Andrew P. Booler, Peter Monkhouse, Douglas W. Walton, Michael W. G. Bell, Christopher J. Lasher, Thomas P. Bonkenburg
  • Patent number: RE40453
    Abstract: In an automated prescription pill dispensing system, a multiplicity of pill dispensers are provided each operable to count out and dispense pills from supply hoppers. The dispensers are controlled by a computer which selects up to five of the dispensers to operate and control the selected pill dispensers to count out pills simultaneously. The pill dispensers dispense the pills into the first set of output hoppers, from which the pills can be released into a second output hopper under the control of the computer. The computer will release the pills from the second output hopper corresponding to a selected pill dispenser through a snout into a pill vial in response to sensing the presence of a pill vial at the snout. The computer controls a prescription label printer to print prescription labels for the pill vials. The computer also controls indicator lights to indicate which dispensing cell is selected and ready to have pills released from the second output hopper corresponding thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Lasher, Dennis W. Rice, Michael J. Szesko, Michael L. Mahar