The payer said around 15 percent of its 114,000 ACA members will have to switch pharmacies.
Chronis Manolis, chief pharmacy officer for UPMC Health Plan, told the outlet networks are a “powerful lever” to manage prescription drug spending. UPMC has used pharmacy networks in its Medicare Advantage plan since 2019.
Mr. Manolis told the newspaper large suppliers Walgreens and CVS are not part of the preferred network, to make room for smaller, independent pharmacies.
Independent pharmacists told the Post-Gazette UPMC’s network changes, and similar moves from other payers, threaten small pharmacies’ ability to stay in business.
Read more here.
At the Becker's 5th Annual Fall Payer Issues Roundtable, taking place November 2–3 in Chicago, payer executives and healthcare leaders will come together to discuss value-based care, regulatory changes, cost management strategies and innovations shaping the future of payer-provider collaboration. Apply for complimentary registration now.