ZappRx builds out more disease-specific prior-authorization programs

Unlike other providers of electronic prior-authorization (ePA) support, who tend to be focused around the specifications of payer programs, ZappRx offers its support on a disease-specific (and in some cases, manufacturer-specific) basis. Having already set up programs for a variety of pulmonary, cardiology and gastroenterology therapies, the company says that it plans to expand into rheumatology, neurology and oncology. In Bayer’s case, the company will manage a program for pulmonary hypertension and relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), conditions within Bayer’s Specialty Medicines portfolio. Subsequent to the integration with ZappRx’s platform, Bayer will also gain access to unique data assets and meaningful insights around the treatment of these patient populations, says ZappRx.

Prior authorization is an element in the never-ending tussle between payers, who want to control access to high-priced medicines, and manufacturers who want to do all they can for expanded patient access. Typically, the PA process is a burden on physicians’ offices, who have to file the necessary paperwork. ZappRx, like a number of other companies in the patient-support business, provides a digital connection to speed up the filing and completion of the PA forms. As tracked by the ePA Scorecard, a report from the PA provider CoverMyMeds, most states have now adopted an ePA standard for managing this documentation digitally.