ACS keeps Texas vendor drug-program work

Affiliated Computer Services Inc. will continue delivering services that automate prescription approval for Medicaid patients in Texas through a two-year, $4.8 million contract.

Under the contract, ACS of Dallas will conduct clinical editing and pharmacy authorizations for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's vendor drug program. Clinical editing is a process to determine whether claims are coded properly.

ACS' automated program, known as SmartPA, helps the state contain costs, improve pharmacy benefit administration and deliver medications to recipients.

The program uses a clinical rules system, in tandem with drug and medical claims data, to help pharmacists determine whether it is appropriate to dispense certain medications to Medicaid patients. The system also draws on information from health care providers to determine if these medications should be given.

ACS has 55,000 employees and had annual sales of $5.3 billion in fiscal 2006. The company ranks No. 11 on Washington Technology's 2006 Top 100 list of the largest federal IT contractors.