PillPack, BCBS of Massachusetts offer direct integration for drug delivery

PillPack by Amazon Pharmacy and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusuetts are partnering for what the insurer calls the first direct integration with PillPack for prescription delivery.

The program is available to eligible members of the health plan's commercial, fully insured accounts.

Through a MyBlue member app and website, members can order, pay for, track and get prescriptions delivered to their door at no extra charge.

WHY THIS MATTERS

The direct integration gives PillPack a competitive edge with members who take multiple daily medications.

Blue Cross worked with PillPack to create the digital option for those eligible members to switch to PillPack directly from their Blue Cross MyBlue member app or website.

THE LARGER TREND

Pillpack, as Amazon has done, is offering members a user-friendly, convenient experience. In reordering medications, members using PillPack don't need to re-enter their insurance details, demographic information, or medication lists.

PillPack's core services include: a 30-day supply of medications, pre-sorted and delivered to members' doorsteps, in full coordination with their doctor, before they run out of their last prescription; customized dosing packaging with the date, time, medication name and strength, plus a medication label that has a picture of each pill and notes on how it should be taken; regular copay or co-insurance rates with no additional subscription, service or shipping fees; round-the-clock access to pharmacists via phone, email or online chat; proactive contact with members' doctors about prescription refills to ensure there are no gaps in medication; and ongoing prescription checking to prevent adverse medication interactions.

ON THE RECORD

"We know many of our members are managing multiple daily medications, which can cause confusion and stress," said Andrew Dreyfus, president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, a not-for-profit health plan. "By making it easy to use PillPack, we are giving our members easy access to a simpler, more personalized experience that removes the guesswork from managing multiple medications. Members will receive automatic, reliable, clearly labeled prescriptions at their homes when they need them."

"By using the MyBlue app or website to switch to PillPack, members who take multiple medications won't need to stand in line at a pharmacy, spend their time sorting pills or worry about missing a refill," said Katie Catlender, vice president of customer experience at Blue Cross.

Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: susan.morse@himssmedia.com