Prescription Drug Spending News and Resources for Healthcare

Reshaping the PBM, Payer Relationship Could Improve Access to Care

March 4, 2024 - Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and health insurers have significant influence on prescription drug costs and, as a result, on access to care, but the traditional model for this relationship may not support affordability. PBMs were designed to alleviate payers of the responsibility of coordinating with pharmaceutical manufacturers. While the services that PBMs provide are...

Washington Passes Data Privacy Law, DEA Delays Telehealth Prescribing Limits

May 09, 2023 by Hayden Schmidt

Policy news this week includes the DEA’s recent flip-flop on telehealth prescribing rules and a groundbreaking Washington state health data privacy law. Washington Governor Signs Health...

CURES 2.0 set to Expand Telehealth, CMS Zeros in on Drug Prices

December 01, 2021 by Hayden Schmidt

Senators have introduced an act that would dole out the rest of the Provider Relief Fund to front-line hospitals and care centers. Another bill, CURES 2.0, would expand the actions of the initial CURES...

How Does the Healthcare Industry Lower Prescription Drug Spending?

July 27, 2021 by Emily Sokol, MPH

The exponential cost of prescription drugs has long been a debate in the United States. While many solutions have been proposed, few have been successful. From rate negotiations to pricing cap limits, no strategy to cut prescription drug...

Controversial Alzheimer’s Drug Under CMS, FDA Watch; EO Looks to Prescription Drug Spending

July 14, 2021 by Emily Sokol, MPH

CMS announced it will begin coverage determination investigations for the controversial Alzheimer’s drug, Aduhelm, while the drug’s approval process is also being investigated by the FDA....

Why Separating Prescription Drug Benefits Does Not Reduce Costs

May 24, 2021 by Emily Sokol, MPH

Integrating pharmacy and medical benefits drives down costs for employer groups, Highmark Inc. verified through three separate studies. And Sarah Marche, senior vice president of pharmacy services at...

Addressing the Drug Cost Challenge; Big Data Combats Rural Health Gaps

March 16, 2021 by Jacqueline LaPointe

Healthcare has faced longstanding challenges with prescription drug costs, health inequities, and care fragmentation. Organizations from across the care continuum are now leveraging capabilities, such...