Executive summary. Acquisition cost is what a pharmacy actually paid for a medication, stated so it can be compared fairly against anything else.
Definition
Acquisition cost is the amount paid to purchase a medication, including the relevant package and unit.
Where this work lives in Attergo
Margin dashboards, Item Costs, Cost Sources, Payer Contracts, and Payer Scorecards sit beside one another in Attergo, so purchasing and finance leads can read the figures together. Open the supporting record behind any number that looks wrong, note the question, and take it into the next conversation with the supplier or the payer.
The amount on an invoice may cover a bottle, a carton, a vial, or a case. Comparing it against reimbursement or against another purchase needs the package size and the unit. A price without that context produces a margin figure that looks real and is not.
Review and follow up
Keep invoices, credits, and purchase records long enough to explain an important transaction. Market benchmarks are useful context, and they will differ from the price your pharmacy paid.
Final decisions stay with the role your organization holds accountable for them. Record the decision on the item, with the evidence behind it, so the next person to open it does not start over.
Frequently asked questions
Who should use this Attergo workspace?
The role that owns the next action leads it: a billing specialist, an authorization coordinator, an inventory lead, a pharmacist, a compliance lead, or a finance reviewer. Access follows the role your organization assigns.
Referenced standards and further reading
- CMS: National Average Drug Acquisition Cost ↗Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Related articles
Acquisition cost is evidence with a date on it →