A visit to Medicare.gov to help patients compare Part D plans can try the patience of even the most tolerant pharmacist. Frustration with the slow, complex and hard-to-navigate site is what inspired a tech-minded pharmacist to partner with a software developer to create iMedicare.
iMedicare was designed specifically for independent pharmacists to make Medicare Part D plan comparisons drastically quicker and simpler. It can be used on a tablet, laptop or any device with an Internet connection.
“You can do a comparison in less than one minute, as opposed to the 30 or 40 minutes it might take on Medicare.gov,” said Flaviu Simihaian, CEO of iMedicare.
“One reason iMedicare can do that, besides the super-fast, easy to use interface, is that we integrate with virtually every computer system out there, so the pharmacy doesn’t have to enter any data,” he said. “They just import their patients’ information and medications right from their computer system.”
A better Part D comparison
Another big advantage of iMedicare is that it only shows plans that are in-network for the pharmacy using it.
“Everything is specific to the pharmacy’s NPI, including reimbursement and plan cost, so you can see which plan is better or worse for the patient, as well as for the pharmacy,” Simihaian said.
iMedicare also shows whether the pharmacy is “preferred” for each plan; points out plan restrictions, such as step therapy, prior authorization or quantity limits; and shows if a drug is covered or not.
“If the drug isn’t covered on the plan, we show the pharmacy therapeutically-equivalent alternative drugs that are covered,” Simihaian said. “Instead of waiting hours on the phone with insurance companies to get this information, they can see it with one tap in the iMedicare application.”
A flexible, year-round tool
While the advantages of having iMedicare during open enrollment are obvious, it isn’t a program that hibernates during the rest of the year. Dual-eligible patients, people turning 65, patients who have moved, who have lost coverage, or who are beginning their coverage, frequently need assistance navigating Part D plans throughout the year.
And because iMedicare can travel with you on a tablet or laptop, it offers a new way to go to where potential patients are.
“It’s especially powerful when you use it outside of the pharmacy counter,” Simihaian said. “You can take it to nursing homes and retirement communities, or you can have a brown-bag lunch event at a community center. It’s a great way to gain new business from your community.”
