Ohio taps ACS for management of pharmacy benefits

Affiliated Computer Services Inc. has won a one-year contract with the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation to provide pharmacy benefit management services, the company announced June 17.

The contract is worth $4.5 million if the four 1-year options are exercised, the company said.

ACS of Dallas will perform online adjudication of pharmacy bills at the point of service, ensure that medications reimbursed are medically necessary, implement a prior authorization system, administer an agency-specific network, perform a drug use review, and provide ad-hoc management reporting.

The state bureau operates one of the most sophisticated workers' compensation programs in the country, according to ACS. It is an injury-specific insurance fund administered by Ohio for employers and workers in the state. The bureau is responsible for making payments for medical treatment, supplies and services rendered to an injured worker when such treatment is necessary. ACS' pharmacy benefit management services will assist the state in carrying out the bureau's work.

Harvey Braswell, group president of ACS' government services, said that pharmacy benefit management is an area of "explosive growth" for the company as states seek to lower program costs in various areas as a result of budget shortfalls.

"Many states are faced with the challenges of budget shortfalls, and seek partners who can enhance and streamline programs for their citizens while lowering costs. [Pharmacy benefit management] is one area in which those objectives can be met," he said.