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Company: IPM
Company Description: Integrated Prescription Management (IPM) is a full-service pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) that works with self-funded employer groups, brokers, and TPAs around the country. Known for our high-touch service, insightful analytics, and flexible benefit designs, we take a collaborative approach to controlling costs without compromising care.
Nomination Category: Management Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Lifetime Achievement Award - Business Services Industries
 Nomination Title: Melissa Hawkins
- Which will you provide for your nomination in this category, an essay of up to 650 words describing the achievements of the nominee, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length describing the same? CHOOSE ONE:
An essay of up to 650 words
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video:
- In bullet-list form, provide a brief summary of up to ten (10) of the chief accomplishments over the career of the nominee. This is required whether you are submitting a video or an essay:
- In 1998, Melissa developed a system to manage account receivables from all payor sources. Previously, this process was handled manually. The new system provided weekly reports that were used to reconcile payments received from various payors, project incoming payments, identify errors, and provide management with insights into profitability and where improvements should be made. As a result, there were greater insights into cash flow, increased profitability, and increased accuracy of accounting details.
- In 1999, Melissa developed a tracking system to manage patient data and track manufacturer assistance applications for drugs available for free to vulnerable populations. Her tracking system was converted to a web-based system and is available today and is still in use with hospital systems, FQHCs, and behavioral health clinics.
- In 2001, Melissa developed and implemented a successful account management model to support clients with custom quarterly reports and templates, clinical reporting, utilization reporting, utilization trends, and an executive review packet. This led to an increase in client retention from 75 percent to 100 percent.
- In 2004, amidst a corporate merger, Melissa successfully merged two separate pharmacy operations in to one with the outcome of converting several manual processes to an automated and streamlined process.
- In 2006, Melissa discovered a niche business line and quickly developed a supporting program for the indigent health care model to help counties contain costs.
- In 2014, Melissa developed the Specialty Services Division at IPM as a new business line. As part of this development, she fully developed the operational and financial model, sales and marketing strategies, account management model, client reporting, and training for all new staff.
- In 2015, IPM’s Specialty Services Division won a proposal for a large client with over 4,500 members. To win this business, a pharmacy needed to be established at the clinic site. With Melissa as project manager, the pharmacy was built out with no issues or disruptions, passing ADA, DEA, and state inspections.
- In 2016, Melissa developed an inventory management system that streamlined reporting and inventory insights, successfully integrating three different systems.
- In 2017, by implementing all of Melissa’s strategies in first few years, IPM’s Specialty Services Division implemented more new clients than ever before in history, which included 40,000 new members.
- In the past two years, Melissa built a national sales team, while also implementing a virtual training program, referred to as IPMU. In 2020, she was called over to compliance, where she developed a compliance management and monitoring system to track laws and regulations relevant to PBM industry, monitor state reporting deadlines, and produce reports for company executives and board members regarding state licensing statuses.
- If you are providing an essay of up to 650 words, place it in this space:
Total 607 words used.
Melissa Hawkins has been a leader in the pharmacy benefits industry for 25 years. She currently serves as chief strategy officer at Integrated Prescription Management (IPM), a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM). A PBM works with employer groups, insurance brokers, unions, and government programs to help manage prescription benefit plans while providing quality access to care for their members. Melissa specializes in creating pharmacy benefit solutions for behavioral health centers and county governments serving the indigent health population.
Melissa began her pharmacy benefits career in 1997 managing four Texas pharmacies from a corporate office in Las Vegas. Handling the day-to-day operations from afar was a manual and time-consuming process that she quickly realized could be more efficient and streamlined. Melissa then developed a database system to integrate pharmacy dispensing data and generate custom, actionable reports to provide insights into prescription drug inventories.
In 1999, as Melissa became more familiar with the pharmacy clients and patients they served, it became apparent that they needed more access to expensive but necessary medications. Many of the patients did not have health insurance or the means to pay for high-cost specialty drugs. She realized clinics were not taking advantage of free medications available from manufacturers and developed a tracking database system with proprietary formulas that simplified managing patient data, applications for patients, and status/renewals. Her system was converted to SQL and is still utilized in hospitals, FQHCs, and behavioral health clinics nationwide.
Melissa later relocated to Texas and led the development and implementation of sales and account management for behavioral health and government programs. In 2004, the company she worked for was acquired by a national PBM and she worked closely with key executives to integrate business operations, while still managing pharmacy operations and onboarding/supporting clients. The transition happened with zero issues or client disruptions.
As the director of client services, she streamlined, enhanced, and implemented specialized programs and cost containment initiatives with a 100 percent client retention rate. Melissa developed and implemented automated custom reporting packages for her account management teams and clients to access. She also built relationships with various pharmacy locations to support clients with mail order prescriptions and expanded care by utilizing retail pharmacy networks.
Melissa Hawkins joined IPM in 2014 and launched the innovative specialty services division (SSD) to serve the unique needs of the behavioral health and indigent market. Working with the CIO, they developed proprietary client modules that are integrated with the pharmacy site operations. Over the years, she has made extraordinary progress in helping develop and streamline processes for these facilities, which have proven to reduce costs through flexible benefit designs, tailored solutions, custom reporting, Patient Assistance Programs (PAP), inventory management systems, and exceptional account management. Melissa grew the division from 0 clients to more than 20,000 members in the first 2 years. After 6 years, SSD grew to 100k+ members and generates over $20+M in annual revenue and continues to grow today.
In 2020, Melissa became senior vice president of strategy, innovation, and compliance. Possessing a unique mindset and analytical abilities, combined with more than 20 years of experience in pharmacy benefits and operations, Melissa researched, identified, and built strategic processes to implement new products, programs, and efficiencies that continuously add value to IPM’s portfolio.
Recently Melissa was promoted to chief strategy officer to scale and grow the SSD program nationally, while still sitting as chief compliance officer, providing oversight of the compliance department.
Melissa holds a BA in business administration and BS in human relations and business from Amberton University. She is also a certified pharmacy technician, licensed nationally and with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, and holds ERISA certification.
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