Episode 19 - Special Guest Tracy Spencer of Pharmaceutical Strategies Group
Release Date: 08/17/2020
HR Benecast
In this episode, we're joined by Madison Connor, senior vice president of regulatory compliance and external affairs at Employers Health. She will share the latest in state and federal PBM legislation. Hear who's behind many of the recent PBM legislative initiatives, how PBMs like CVS and Optum Rx plan to handle these newly-proposed state laws and discover how employers can prepare for these new requirements.
info_outline Episode 42 - Fiduciary Duties: A Wakeup CallHR Benecast
Hear from employee benefits and compensation lawyer Jeff Zimon as he covers why fiduciary obligations are making headlines and what the Johnson & Johnson lawsuit means for plan sponsors. He discusses steps employers can take to ensure they are fulfilling their fiduciary duties, the importance of summary plan descriptions (SPDs) and the need for proper pharmacy benefit documentation.
info_outline Episode 41 - The Latest in GLP-1s for Employers and ConsultantsHR Benecast
The first 2024 episode of HR Benecast features , Employers Health's resident GLP-1 expert. She'll share utilization, discontinuation and coverage trends for GLP-1s and anti-obesity drugs. Listeners will hear the latest on anti-obesity drug coverage under the pharmacy benefit, new drugs in the pipeline and how the big PBM's are managing drugs like Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound.
info_outline Episode 40 - Stop Loss and Catastrophic Claimant Risk ManagementHR Benecast
On our last episode of 2023, we sit down with Ryan Siemers, founder and principal at Aegis Risk to cover all the intricacies of stop loss. As the costs of catastrophic claims continue to grow, reinsurance protection and medical stop loss are more important than ever. Listen to hear how costly gene therapies are impacting deductibles, potential health care industry changes could drive prices even higher and more. To learn more about the Aegis Risk Medical Stop Loss Premium Survey visit and to register to hear Ryan Siemers presentation on Medical Stop Loss & Risk Strategies...
info_outline Episode 39 - What Should Employers Know About Pharmacogenomics?HR Benecast
In this episode of HR Benecast, we're joined by Travis Baughn, vice president of clinical solutions at Optum Rx. Listen to hear how pharmacogenetics works and its importance for employers. He'll share what plan participants need to know, and how it can be used to reduce medical waste and long and complex medication journeys. For additional resources on pharmacogenomics, please visit and .
info_outline Episode 38 - Obesity and What it Means for Plan SponsorsHR Benecast
Nearly half of working Americans have obesity, raising the risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Hear from George Huntley, founding member and CEO of the , about the importance of addressing obesity and the role it plays in employee retention. He'll share successful treatment options and the direct and indirect benefits for plan sponsors and their participants.
info_outline Episode 37 - Diabetes Leadership CouncilHR Benecast
On the latest episode of HR Benecast we're joined by George Huntley, founding member and CEO of the Diabetes Leadership Council. He shares how plan sponsors can develop a benefits strategy to help employees with diabetes and other chronic conditions, advice for PBM contract negotiations, the latest in PBM legislation and more.
info_outline Episode 36 - Hypertension Awareness MonthHR Benecast
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S.; nearly half the adults in our country have high blood pressure, putting them at risk for heart disease and stroke. April is hypertension awareness month, so we sat down with Jenn Roberts of to discuss how employers can reduce heart-disease-related costs while supporting their employees' heart health. Together, Jenn and our host, , will share the importance of lifestyle changes in managing heart health, best practices for plan design and more.
info_outline Episode 35 - Ask Mike Anything - Your Pharmacy Benefit Questions AnsweredHR Benecast
In our first episode of 2023 we answer your employee benefits and pharmacy benefit questions. Listen as we cover: The latest on rising insulin prices, What the launch of a means for payors and plan sponsors, How employers can combat exorbitant carve-out fees charged by some medical providers, The future of rebates, What employers can do to protect their pharmacy plan against the high costs of gene therapies, The ideal amount of time for a PBM finalist meeting, and Our predictions for pharmacy trend in 2023.
info_outline Episode 34 - Clinical CheckupHR Benecast
Hear from Employers Health's Vice President of Clinical Solutions, , as he shares the clinical team's learnings at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Nexus conference, what the team's growth means for clients, upcoming clinical strategies for self-insured employers and more.
info_outlineWe recently interviewed Tracy Spencer, senior vice president of employer groups and strategic clients at Pharmaceutical Strategies Group, a leading pharmacy intelligence and technology company. In this episode Tracy shares opportunities for employers in the PBM marketplace, the latest plan design trends and developments including copay programs, needs-based programs and more.