A Closer Look at the Benefis Specialty Pharmacy

The Benefis Specialty Pharmacy launched in 2023, offering patient-centered care to people with complex, chronic, and rare conditions — right here in Great Falls. A group of pharmacists and pharmacy liaisons serve eight Benefis medical clinics in total. The Benefis Specialty Pharmacy treats diseases across a wide variety of areas, including endocrinology, oncology, neurology, and autoimmune disorders.

Pharmacist Cassidy Kline is a member of the team, but she is also a patient. She has rheumatoid arthritis, a condition that requires specialty medication. Cassidy knows from personal and professional experience that navigating the landscape of specialty medications is complex and challenging — filled with medical authorizations, care coordination, financial hurdles, and logistical barriers.

“Sometimes these patients fall through the cracks,” she says. “We work to seal those cracks.”

Pharmacy Liaison Jarrel Nelson works with Cassidy at Benefis East Campus.

“Many of our patients have received a difficult diagnosis,” he notes. “We can help lift the access burden for them when it comes to their medication.”

Cost isn’t the only roadblock that can stand between a patient and the specialty medication they need. Pre-authorizations and other insurance requirements often need to be met before a prescription for specialty medications can be filled.

“We navigate those challenges and barriers due to the cost and nature of the medication,” Pharmacist Levi Stanley says.

The Specialty Pharmacy team does more than help patients get the medications they need, they also consult with patients about dosing instructions, potential drug interactions, and potential side effects. They provide high-quality care in the same facility that patients receive their medical care. Providers and nurses can grab one of the pharmacists or liaisons during an appointment to answer a question.

“When you call us, you get a real person,” adds Pharmacy Liaison Riley McCullough. “And you can call back and speak to the same person again.”

This standard of care cuts down on wait times when it comes to filling a prescription and obtaining refills. The Specialty Pharmacy team tracks the prior authorization process for each patient, and they start the process a month before the due date to prevent a lapse in care. They also use the same electronic medical record system as the providers, so the process is streamlined from Benefis to the insurance company.

The entire team is dedicated to providing comprehensive care to patients, a calling that led them to the Specialty Pharmacy.

“I want my career to mean something,” says Pharmacist Ben Houston. “You’re helping people with life-changing medications. I don’t think I’ve had an opportunity make as big of an impact as I have here.”