Specialty Pharmacy Services
Avera Specialty Pharmacy specializes in pharmacy care for patients with chronic, rare or complex conditions that require certain high-cost, biotech medications. These specialty medications typically require special handling, administration or monitoring beyond what a traditional retail pharmacy can provide.
Experts at our specialty pharmacy location will work closely with physicians, patients and the patient’s insurance company. They provide personalized care, clinical support, quality products and outstanding customer service focused on patient adherence to therapy. Dedicated liaisons help identify and obtain patient financial services and programs, medication adherence programs, personalized refill reminders, home delivery and pharmacy support.
Nationally Accredited
Avera Specialty Pharmacy is nationally accredited by URAC and the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC). This means we meet official regulatory requirements and national standards, promoting health care quality through accreditation, education and measurement.
New Patient Information
By choosing Avera Specialty Pharmacy, you'll have access to the specialty medications you need, as well as routine prescriptions, all in one location. Both patients and providers also have support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 605-322-8300 or 855-442-8372. Contact us via email at SpecialtyRxGeneral@Avera.org.
Avera Specialty Pharmacy serves South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Arizona, Texas and Florida. You can also view our patient handbook to learn more about patient rights and responsibilities and frequently asked questions. Los materiales están disponibles en inglés y español (manual del paciente).
Hearing, Language & Financial Support
Hearing Assistance
Communication assistance is available for people who are blind, deaf, deaf-blind, visually impaired or hard-of-hearing. These free aids and services are available via audio, video, in person or in writing to people with disabilities in order to communicate effectively with us. Examples include qualified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, Language Line solutions and written translations.
Language Interpretation
Communication assistance is available for people with limited English proficiency (LEP) or who have need for an interpreter or translator. Avera works with virtual and in-person interpreters and contracts with agencies such as Lutheran Social Services and the Multi-Cultural Center.
Financial Assistance
As a health care ministry, Avera cares for all patients regardless of ability to pay. If you are experiencing financial hardship, our billing staff is here to discuss payment options to decrease the burden. We treat all patients with dignity and respect. Learn More.
Patient Enrollment Is Easy & Free
Call or ask your physician to phone, fax or e-prescribe your prescription to our pharmacy. Our staff will call to welcome you to our program and provide important information about your enrollment. We will also:
- Complete an insurance benefit investigation on your behalf (including Medicare Part D).
- Coordinate, manage and follow up with insurance benefits so you don’t have to.
- Obtain prior authorization, if required.
- Work to find support for financially challenged patients.
- Deliver your medication and provide needed medical equipment to you at no extra cost.
Care for Complex Conditions
Our pharmacists are experienced in working with a variety of health care teams to make sure you receive the medication you need.
View Complex Conditions
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Cystic fibrosis
- Growth hormone deficiency
- Hemophilia
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Human immune deficiency virus (HIV)
- Hyperlipidemia
- Migraine headaches
- Movement disorders
- Multiple sclerosis
- Psoriasis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Osteoporosis
- Osteoarthritis
- Solid organ transplant
Prior Authorization Assistance
We work in conjunction with your provider’s office to obtain required approval documentation from the insurance provider. With our experience and understanding of this complicated process, we effectively partner with insurance companies on behalf of patients.
Benefits Investigation
We collaborate with your provider’s office to verify whether or not insurance covers the prescribed medication(s). If a prescription is not included under a specific insurance plan, we’ll identify other ways to help get the needed medication. Our diverse network of resources grants us a variety of options to fill prescription orders.
If we cannot fill a prescription, we’ll notify the patient and provider’s office right away. Mandated prescriptions will then be sent to the pharmacy insurance requires the medication to be filled.
Patient Management Program
The patient management program offers personalized education and support from nurses and pharmacists to ensure patients receive the most benefits from therapy. By choosing to participate in this program, you'll receive:
- Check-in calls from a nurse case manager knowledgeable about your condition and specialty medication
- Information about the safe and effective use and handling of your medication
- Assistance in learning how to take or inject your medications correctly
- Advice to help prevent and manage medication side effects and injection site reactions
- Refill reminder phone calls to ensure you always have enough medication on hand
To learn more about our patient management program, email SpecialtyRxClinical@Avera.org to reach the Avera Specialty Pharmacy.
Partner with the Avera Specialty Pharmacy
As a health system-based specialty pharmacy, Avera Specialty Pharmacy brings comprehensive care to patients with complex conditions right at the point of care. By implementing clinical care protocols, using specialized data management systems, providing high-touch service and integrating providers, we ensure the best clinical and financial outcomes for patients. Other benefits include:
- Quick and easy ordering by fax, phone or e-prescribing
- Friendly, local pharmacy staff who are trained in working with specialty medications
- Prior authorization completion
- Patient reimbursement assistance to ensure patients receive the maximum benefit from their insurance provider
- Patient financial assistance to identify additional payment resources in order to lessen the financial burden for patients
- Medication adherence monitoring to ensure the patient is taking the medication correctly
- Medication side effect monitoring to communicate any issues the patient may be experiencing while taking the prescription
- Patient education materials to help the patient understand the purpose of the medication
- Refill reminders to patients to ensure timely medication availability
- Clinical support to help physicians streamline the care delivery process
- Interdisciplinary team member involvement to assist physicians in their patients’ care plan
- Free, overnight shipping in a temperature-controlled package to the location of choice
- 24-hour, on-call pharmacist available to answer medication questions
- Lab monitoring
To learn about partnering with Avera Specialty Pharmacy, email SpecialtyRxGeneral@Avera.org.