UX AWARDS 2017
Consumers can t keep up with rising costs of medications Every year, Americans fill millions of prescriptions, spending billions of dollars as the cost of healthcare continues to rise. Many people are paying for expensive prescriptions when medically-validated alternatives could effectively treat their conditions for a fraction of the cost. With thousands of drugs available in the market and unpredictable insurance coverage, doctors aren't able to keep track of which medications are affordable for each of their patients. Our task was to design a new responsive interface that empowers consumers to tap into Connecture's leading database of therapeutic alternatives and drug prices across pharmacies. 2
We understood that helping consumers switch medications required not only talking to consumers, but also medical professionals to learn how patients, doctors, and pharmacists interact. We interviewed pharmacist, doctors, and caretakers. These exploratory session lead to new understanding of healthcare professionals relationships with their patients. We talked with dozens of people taking multiple prescriptions. They gave us a unique understanding of their needs that helped us create a meaningful solution.
DrugCompare reduces stress and cost DrugCompare brings drug costs down by empowering users to choose more affordable medications options including generic drugs, therapeutic alternatives (drugs with similar therapeutic outcome), different dosing regimens, alternate pharmacies and adhere to their treatment plans. DrugCompare can even integrate with insurance plans to give members recommendations based on what s covered by their specific policy. 4
Goal-focused, research-driven methodology Our team created multiple iterations over four months before arriving at a final concept, each cycle gaining new insights from our target audience. Initially, we reviewed analytics, industry research, academic articles and whitepapers, and primary research. Following this review, we interviewed stakeholders, multiple-prescription takers, and medical professionals, seeking to challenge any assumptions we had. The members of the team identified opportunities and challenges we could solve. With a clear focus on the challenges and needs people face, we defined a core goal: Reduce healthcare spending and stress by facilitating confident, collaborative medication decisions for doctors and patients. We consolidated the research, opportunities, and challenges into a journey map to focus the scope of our project. 5
Iterative design, user-validated During each iteration, the team brainstormed ways of addressing the core goal and challenges, using several rounds of sketching and role-playing. Team members were encouraged to think big and come up with impactful ideas that solve open issues. We voted on the ideas that best addressed the core goal and needs of users. We consolidated those concepts into a single workflow and created a rapid prototype. Next, our researchers conducted moderated usability sessions with recruited representative end-users. Together, we synthesized the findings and planned our next iteration. 6
Through the design process, we learned several key insights that informed our design. The result is an empowered prescription drug taker. DrugCompare applies design thinking to an intimidating process in order to provide confidence, clarity, and flexibility to patients and doctors as they make prescription drug decisions together. 7
Insights gained. Challenges solved. Confident communication Patients are often afraid to discuss switching medications with their doctors. DrugCompare gives the consumer's resources to facilitate a confident conversation with their provider, including a printable doctor s report and quick drug search on mobile. Prescription cost transparency Both doctors and patients don't realize how much patients overspend on prescription drugs. DrugCompare helps consumers save an average of $958 per search on medications by providing clarity in how much prescriptions cost with their plan at their pharmacy. Numerous pharmacy strategies Flexibility is important. While some people shop around for drugs, most would pick them all up at one place. And ways of getting to the pharmacy is different in urban areas. DrugCompare help people find pharmacies for their prescriptions in a way that works for their situation. 8
Insights gained. Challenges solved. A need for choice Patients and doctors may not realize the number of medications that can effectively treat a condition. Often, doctors prescribe what is most quickly comes to mind. DrugCompare helps both doctors and patients explore alternatives, beyond cost. Prescription burden Sometimes, people consider their prescriptions to a burden. DrugCompare helps reduce the burden by suggesting easier dosages for members who must take a high number of pills per day. Prescriptions personalized People consider their prescriptions to be very personal. DrugCompare acknowledges by giving each household member a view of their prescriptions. DrugCompare isn't aligned with a particular pharmacy, so it doesn't feel like it's selling you anything. 9
DrugCompare s Magic ingredients Plan intelligence DrugCompare integrates with insurance plan design to give members recommendations based on what s covered by their specific policy, prices based on pharmacies and mailorder options, and spend against their deductible. Clinical excellence DrugCompare includes numerous specialty drug classes, even where significant innovation is occurring. No other solution more accurately and completely reflects the drug research occurring today. Plus, Connecture s expert review team of pharmacists and physicians conducts rigorous clinical reviews for every drug in the dataset. Unmatched experience With its 16-year history, 31 million annual look-ups and over $4 billion in industry savings, Connecture is trusted by health plans and providers to help millions of people across the country. 10
Personalized. Proven. Prepared. With $4 billion in realized savings per year, DrugCompare is relied upon by many of the largest health plans and PBMs in the country. Leading the industry We ve built the industry s largest therapeutic alternative dataset, with tens of thousands of medications and options in over 150 drug classes and it s still growing. Price transparency and savings Members get visibility into their prescription coverages, helping them make more informed plan and drug selections. And when members save, so do you. Adherence Increased Members who can afford all of their drugs at the right dosage have increased adherence, which leads to healthier outcomes. 11