BUSINESS INSURANCE DIRECTORY OF PRESCRIPTION BENEFIT MANAGERS: U

U

United Drugs

7227 N. 16 St., Suite 160, Phoenix, Ariz. 85020; 602-678-1179; fax: 602-678-0772

http: //www.uniteddrugs.com

1997 revenues

Total gross revenues$8,000,000

PBM gross revenues$100,000

PBM clients

Total20

Employer/group plans with direct service10

Lives covered

Group Health:

Total200,000

Active enrollees200,000

Through employers25%

Through third-party vendors75%

Retail network

Pharmacy locations12,000

Mail-order services

Percent of prescription volume10%

Generic usage

Percent of prescription volume70%

Staff

Total35

Professionals8

Includes: 2 registered pharmacists

PBM services since: 1989.

Parent: American Associated Druggists; primary business: independent pharmacy cooperative.

Services: Retail pharmacy network, mail-order distribution, claims processing*, online claims processing*, concurrent utilization review, disease management, retrospective utilization review, benefit design consulting, formulary management/review, monitoring of physician prescribing practices, patient education.

Formularies offered: Restricted/customized.

Pharmacies contracted: Independently owned; retail chains.

Reports provided: Physician prescribing patterns, generic vs. name brands dispensed analysis, utilization review by therapy class, top drugs by dollar volume/number of prescriptions.

Service area: Nationwide.

Billing methods: Fee per claim. Volume discounts to employers.

Officers: Michael Huston, CEO; Elizabeth Schrader, vp-finance/operations; Bruce Semingson, vp-managed care sales; Frank Taylor, vp-marketing.

Contact: Bruce Semingson.

* Subcontracted.