3 Ways a Patient Access Platform Breaks Through Barriers to Medication

There was a time when the path from a physician prescribing to the patient starting drug therapy was straightforward. With the rise of value-based healthcare and novel specialty treatments, that’s no longer the case.

Today, rigorous payer requirements and increasing out-of-pocket obligations frequently hinder patient access. Up to one-third of patients report they experience difficulties getting their prescription drugs due to delays, denials, and costs. At the same time, one in ten fail to take medications as prescribed solely because of financial constraints.

For specialty drug manufacturers, patient access services have become as vital to a brand’s success as efficacy and price. Here are three ways manufactures can maximize the support they provide patients  with a patient access  platform: 

1.  Streamline benefits and reimbursement workflows

Specialty and specialty-lite medication reimbursements are complicated by strict patient authorization (PA) and step-therapy criteria. There are a multitude of financial assistance programs from manufacturers and foundations that patients qualify for if they meet certain conditions. 

Managing insurance coverage, prior authorizations, reimbursements, and patient assistance program enrollments are labor- and time-intensive and can extend the time to therapy by days or weeks when done manually. It is well-established that impeding speed to therapy dramatically increases the risk of therapy abandonment and is detrimental to patient outcomes. 

Manual patient support workflows translate to missed opportunities; however, a patient  access platform alleviates pressure on patients, providers, and pharmacies. Electronic benefits verification (eBV) and prior authorizations (ePAs) can be initiated at the point of care, decreasing delays, accelerating time to therapy, and minimizing patient out-of-pocket costs. By streamlining the entire patient access process, all stakeholders achieve better outcomes.    

2.  Enable data-driven decision-making 

Unlocking and leveraging data have been at the forefront of pharmaceutical manufacturers’ efforts to align business goals and outcomes for decades. With an over-abundance of data and a complex healthcare ecosystem, getting a holistic – and timely – view of stakeholders is more important than ever. 

Visibility into performance, real-time connectivity, and flexibility will enable the most accurate insights and best decisions to improve patient access. To drive better insights, manufacturers should be looking for the following elements in a patient access services platform:  

• Real-time data reporting that provides an accurate view of what’s happening across the patient access journey

• The flexibility to support rapid onboarding, response to changes in reimbursement criteria or other data requirements, and scaling of support services up or down 

• Data integration and aggregation capabilities that offer a more comprehensive look at the effectiveness of and gaps within programs

• Ease of use with customizable dashboards and reports

• Interoperability with other systems along the supply chain 

• Security features that include encryption of health data and compliance with HIPAA guidelines  

3.  Deliver a patient-centered experience

A large survey of U.S. healthcare consumers revealed that 59 percent expect a digital experience similar to online retailers like Amazon and Apple. Seventy-four percent felt improvement was needed when it comes to filling prescriptions. And this was before the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Undoubtedly, the consumerization of healthcare has accelerated over the last several years. Patients today expect simple and reliable digital interactions to help them get the care they want when they need it. 

A well-designed eHub  platform  delivers the patient-centered experience that healthcare consumers prefer and should include supplementing digital interactions with call-based support for those who prefer that route. 

While many patients may not want to talk on the phone and will  rarely answer a call from an unknown number, a patient access platform has tech-enabled tools that connect with patients through their preferred communication channels. They can also support patients with automated reminders to take their medication or refill a  prescription.   

A digitally enabled platform not only enhances dialogue with patients, but also personalizes their experience and increases engagement, all of which will help sustain medication adherence.

Elevating your brand’s success 

Pharmaceutical manufacturers face substantial hurdles to enabling access to their brands – and they cannot afford to miss a piece of the puzzle when it comes to patient support services. A patient access platform can be an effective and efficient way to manage the complexities of patient access. 

It’s crucial to implement a strong patient support services program that aligns with your business goals and delivers on your brand objectives while helping patients access their therapy as conveniently and reliably as possible. 

Phil partners with life sciences and pharmaceutical companies to support the commercialization of their brands in a complex and ever-changing marketplace. Our next-generation patient access platform improves outcomes and experience by enabling speed to therapy with the lowest possible out-of-pocket burden. Learn more here.