What is a Plan Design Document used for?

The Plan Design Document is an essential tool in the realm of pharmacy benefit management, as it outlines the specific features and parameters of a health plan or pharmacy benefit plan. Its primary purpose is to ensure the proper application of these plan features, which can include formulary design, copayment structures, and prior authorization requirements.

By detailing how the plan is structured, the document serves as a guide for implementation and operational processes, helping stakeholders understand the intricacies of the benefits being offered. This allows pharmacy benefit managers, healthcare providers, and insurers to align their services with the established guidelines, ensuring that beneficiaries receive the intended benefits while adhering to the plan's policies.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the function of a Plan Design Document. For instance, creating marketing strategies pertains more to the promotional aspects of healthcare services rather than the operational specifications of a plan. Developing new drugs focuses on pharmaceutical research and innovation, which is outside the scope of plan design. Lastly, processing insurance claims relates to the administrative functions that occur after a healthcare service is provided, rather than the foundational planning and structuring that the Plan Design Document addresses.