What does "point-of-sale (POS) billing" refer to in pharmacy?

"Point-of-sale (POS) billing" specifically refers to the system for processing insurance claims at the time a sale occurs in the pharmacy. This method allows pharmacies to verify a patient’s prescription insurance benefits and copayment responsibilities in real time, ensuring that the correct charges are applied when a patient picks up their medication.

Using a POS system streamlines the transaction process, as it integrates prescription processing with billing and reimbursement. This immediate processing helps reduce paperwork and delays associated with claims submission and payment, which can be especially beneficial for both pharmacies and patients. The capability to handle insurance verifications at the point of sale ensures a smoother experience for patients, who can often leave the pharmacy with their medication in hand instead of waiting for claims processing afterward.

This contrasts with the other options which, while related to pharmacy practices, do not directly address the real-time billing process that occurs when a transaction takes place at the pharmacy.