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| |  Two Innovative Reimbursement Approaches Introduced for Betaseron Patients SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Sept. 24, 1996 -- Healthcare Delivery Systems (HDS), and Berlex Laboratories, Inc., today announced two exciting new enhancements to the Multiple Sclerosis Pathways(sm) program, which offers a full range of product ordering and patient support services to people who receive Betaseron(R) (Interferon beta-1b) for SC Injection. The innovative new reimbursement processing capabilities will benefit Betaseron(R) patients, payers and Prescription Benefit Managers (PBMs). The first enhancement, ON-LINE, The Betaseron(R) Fast-Track Prescription Program, now enables patients who are covered by prescription benefit plans to obtain Betaseron(R) in virtually the same way they obtain their other prescription medications. They will no longer have to file paper claims for reimbursement. Utilizing ON-LINE, pharmacists continue to electronically transmit Betaseron(R) orders directly to HDS, which then redirects the claim to the appropriate PBM for processing prior to authorization of product shipment. This enables PBMs to manage and process Betaseron(R) claim adjudication at the point-of-sale and assures payers that critical editing protocols such as prior authorization, Drug Utilization Review and co-payment calculations are conducted "on-line" for each Betaseron(R) transaction. Several PBMs successfully piloted ON-LINE, which is now being rolled-out nationwide to all PBMs and managed care organizations as a cost-free enhancement to the MS Pathways(sm) program. "ON-LINE provides seamless, electronic integration of Betaseron(R) ordering with Betaseron(R) claims processing by PBMs at the point-of-sale," said Patrick Connoy, HDS' president. "This innovative program allows for the ultimate coordination of just-in-time delivery with PBM claims processing for Betaseron(R) patients. HDS has worked closely with Berlex to incorporate this important capability into the MS Pathways(sm) program, and we believe it will benefit patients, payers and PBMs alike." The second new initiative - Betaseron(R) Benefits Claims Assistance Program - offers claim preparation and submission assistance as well as reimbursement payment coordination to patients whose medical benefits cover Betaseron(R). This program provides indemnity patients with an assignment-of- benefits option while ensuring that managed care organizations continue to receive Betaseron(R) at the wholesale acquisition cost. "Since the introduction of Betaseron(R) in 1993, Berlex and HDS have worked closely to address the evolving needs of people with multiple sclerosis," said Mike Quattro, executive director of marketing for Berlex. "In the beginning, we designed a unique distribution system to ensure equitable product availability when Betaseron(R) was in short supply. We then established the BETASERON(R) FOUNDATION to assist underinsured patients. And recently we introduced MS Pathways(sm) as a comprehensive patient management program. The two programs we're announcing today continue this focus by providing easy-to-adopt solutions to some of the reimbursement challenges that have faced Betaseron(R) patients as well as managed care organizations," said Quattro. Both ON-LINE and Betaseron(R) Benefits Claims Assistance Program take full advantage of the ongoing Compliance Assistance Program (CAP) offered by Berlex. Under this program, patients receive two free months of Betaseron(R) therapy for each 10 consecutive months of therapy. Patients and managed care organizations who take advantage of the new programs receive the full financial benefit of CAP through the electronic integration of Betaseron(R) order processing with patient claim processing. Berlex Laboratories, Inc., established its leadership position in the treatment of MS with the 1993 launch of Betaseron(R). Berlex has experience in treating more than 50,000 MS patients with Betaseron(R) therapy. In addition, the company is conducting ongoing research and clinical trials in MS. Headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey, the company researches, develops, manufactures, and markets ethical pharmaceuticals in the areas of Diagnostic Imaging, Female Heathcare and Life-threatening and Disabling Diseases. Healthcare Delivery Systems is a unit of San Francisco-based McKesson Corp., a leading provider of pharmaceuticals and health care products and services. HDS designs and manages patient and product support systems, reimbursement programs, and marketing support services utilizing advanced health care information technology, helping to meet the needs of pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers in successfully commercializing their products. Betaseron(R) is a registered trademark of Berlex Laboratories, Inc. MS Pathways(sm) is a service mark of Berlex Laboratories, Inc.
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