Implementation and impact assessment of integrated electronic prior authorization in an academic health system.

Objective: To describe the system-wide implementation of integrated electronic prior authorization (ePA) and its impact within a centralized prior authorization (PA) department in an academic health system.

Setting: Prescription drugs have been among the fastest growing areas of health care and continue to advance; therefore, costs associated with medications are continually rising. Pharmacy benefit managers implement tools such as PAs in an effort to manage costs.

Implementation of a centralized mail-order pharmacy service.

Purpose: The development and implementation of centralized mail-order pharmacy services in an academic healthcare system are described.

Summary: The use of mail-order pharmacy services continues to increase, as mail-order services offer patient benefits such as reduced copayments and improved clinical outcomes. Prior to undertaking an initiative to improve its mail-order pharmacy services, the University of Utah Health system's pharmacy department offered decentralized mail-order pharmacy services at all of its retail pharmacies, but there was no standardized process for processing mail-order prescriptions or providing phone support to mail-order patients.