WEGO Health PillPack Health Activist Program FAQs

Transcription

1 WEGO Health PillPack Health Activist Program FAQs About PillPack How did PillPack get started? TJ Parker, a second-generation pharmacist, spent most of his life watching people struggle with managing their medications -- dozens of pill bottles, weekly trips to the pharmacy and timeconsuming DIY organization -- while their pharmacists had limited resources to help. The entire system was complicated, confusing and did little to support health or wellness. TJ had one foot in the stagnant world of pharmacy and one foot in the fast-paced realm of design and technology, and he always thought there was a better way. While finishing pharmacy school, TJ met Elliot Cohen through MIT s Hacking Medicine. They started PillPack to prove that managing meds could actually be simple. They recognized that fixing pharmacy requires actually building a better pharmacy. Until customers had an alternative to traditional retail pharmacy, no app or smart pill box could truly effect the problem. After making it their mission to challenge traditional retail pharmacies, TJ and Elliot focused first on helping the people with the toughest problem - the 30 million US adults (that s 1 in 10) who take more than 5 prescription medications a day. From the beginning, PillPack s mission has been to deliver a delightful customer experience. We believe that simple, convenient service empowers regular people to take medications correctly and achieve better overall wellness. How is PillPack making a business if there is no charge for the service? PillPack makes money similarly to other local pharmacies. Just like CVS and Walgreens, they purchase medications off a wholesaler. How many customers does PillPack have? PillPack is growing rapidly. As of September 2014, they are licensed in 41 states. Those states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. They are currently in the process of applying for the necessary regulatory approvals to deliver medications to additional states and are hoping to be nation-wide by the end of 2014.

2 Cost What is the cost of PillPack? There is no charge for PillPack beyond standard 30-day co-pays. You receive a monthly billing statement that shows the cost of your medications, the amount that was covered by insurance, and the amount to be paid out-of-pocket. There are no shipping, handling, or extra fees associated with switching to PillPack. Can you explain the co-pay aspect of PillPack? Co-pays for PillPack are standard as a 30 day copay from a local pharmacy. To find out information about your individual copay, contact your insurance provider. If you are currently receiving your medication in 90-day supplies from your insurer or local retail pharmacy, you may pay a slightly higher co-pay at PillPack. Your co-pays are set by your insurance company and may vary based on where you fill medicines, if you have a deductible, and what kind of medication you re receiving. Because of these different factors, PillPack recommends that you call your insurance provider directly to get an accurate quote for your set of medications. When you call, make sure to specify that you would like your co-pay information for filling 30-day prescriptions at PillPack, a pharmacy in Manchester, NH, How does billing work? PillPack charges your credit card every 28 days for medications shipped since your last billing statement. This statement includes co-pays for the prescription medications and any charges for non-prescription medications that you added to your order. Your monthly co-pay statement will usually be the same as at a retail pharmacy. You will receive a notice one week before the charge posts so that you have time to review the statement and make any changes. Is the Referral Fee tax free? Any earnings equal to or more than $600 are taxable. You will need to complete a 1099 form for any amount over $600.

3 Shipping How often does PillPack ship? PillPack ships every 2 weeks. You will receive an 3 days prior to shipping informing you that your PillPack is being packaged. What does PillPack do if I travel frequently? PillPack is more than happy to accommodate you and your travel plans. They are able to ship your prescriptions ahead of time. You will need to inform PillPack of the dates you will be gone and they ll coordinate with your insurance company (if necessary) to provide you with a sufficient supply of medication to last through your trip. If preferable, PillPack can ship your medications to an alternative address provided they are licensed in the state you will be visiting. If you are in a location where PillPack is not licensed, you ll need to contact PillPack to discuss next steps. A note for those who do travel frequently It is a requirement to have your medications in their original container. The good news with this is that the PillPack dispenser is the original container and has the list of the medications/prescriptions you re currently taking. PillPack is also required to send a new dispenser box every 2 weeks.

4 Packaging and Medication Management How does PillPack handle medications that change on a weekly basis? If you have a medication that changes dosage frequently, PillPack may put that medication in a separate packet, or send a standard pill bottle with clear instructions. PillPack does this so that you can easily change your dosing without changing the rest of your shipment. In all situations, PillPack will work closely with you and your healthcare provider to deliver the solution that best fits your unique situation. Some current customers, use PillPack for those medications/prescriptions that are standard and for others that are in flux, they use local pharmacies. For new prescriptions or changes, have your doctor send notice to PillPack (fax: , phone: , or e-scribe). Upon receipt of the new prescription, PillPack will stop your old prescription and send you enough new medication to get you through until your next PillPack arrives. Will I be able to manage my prescriptions easily through PillPack? PillPack has recently launched a new online dashboard. You will be able to decipher which medications you need refilled and how you d like your medications packaged. If specialists are slow getting back to PillPack, what do they do? They will contact your prescriber eight weeks before your last refill and take any necessary steps to get your new prescription in place. If a prescription needs a prior authorization, PillPack will work with your doctor and insurance company to make sure it goes through. In the event that your prescriber requires additional action on your behalf (such as an office visit or consultation) PillPack will make that step as easy as possible by communicating clearly and consistently with you. They will never put the work of chasing refills on you - that is their responsibility as your pharmacy. What about over the counter medication? Are there any limitations? PillPack can include vitamins, supplements and over-the-counter medications in your PillPack in addition to prescriptions. You ll need to inform PillPack of how you would like these supplements packaged. They are a full-service pharmacy and can dispense inhalers and creams, as well as prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and vitamins. If there is a change in prescription, how quickly can they incorporate them into my PillPack? If there are any changes to your medications/prescriptions, please inform PillPack. They can incorporate any changes up to 24 hours within shipping. What is the process for incorporating a new prescription? If you receive a new prescription for a medication that should start right away, PillPack will ship you an interim supply to carry you through until your next PillPack arrives. For drugs that should start immediately, like an antibiotic, they recommend filling at a local retail pharmacy. If it s not urgent, PillPack will wait and start the medication with your next PillPack.

5 Is the packaging recyclable? The exterior of your PillPack Dispenser is recyclable.