Advertise on podcast: 340B Leaders Upfront

In this episode of our business podcast 340B Leaders Upfront, host Anna Mangum sits down with Ali Farzad, Co-Founder and CEO of CompassRx and Rory Phillips, a long-time health system pharmacy director who is now one of the firm's key advisors. CompassRx deploys AI agents to maximize in-house pharmacy growth and compliance for 340B covered entities (CEs).  Key Topics Covered:  Career Trajectories Ali outlines his early career work in AI and healthcare, how this and other experiences including being an Emergency Medical Technician led him to co-found CompassRx, with a focus on improving CE efficiency and performance. Rory discusses the key highlights of his 38-year tenure as Director of Pharmacy and Respiratory Care at Southern Ohio Medical Center (SOMC). He talks about his longtime involvement in the 340B program and how Compass Rx has helped SOMC expand its reach and improve patient care. Growing In-House Capture with AI Rory showcases how CompassRx's AI platform enabled SOMC to achieve major increases in in-house pharmacy capture and 340B savings, especially in outreach to patients. Ali outlines ongoing challenges in contract pharmacy and their implications for CEs and why a pivot to more in-house pharmacy use can help alleviate these challenges. Leveraging 340B  Ali and Rory discuss the stiff financial headwinds facing CEs due to developments such as the upcoming rebate pilot, and the importance of leveraging 340B given its unique role in not only driving organizational financial health but in improving community health outcomes. They advise CE professionals to promote C-suite engagement in optimizing 340B at their institutions and deploy AI strategically in these vitally important efforts.  Follow our Podcasts Stay tuned for more episodes of 340B Leaders Upfront, which are posted monthly! Subscribe to 340B Leaders Upfront on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube.  Bonus: Listen to Inside 340B Report, our twice-monthly podcast, to get a behind-the-scenes window into the latest 340B news and developments from the journalists at 340B Report. Special Offer for New 340B Report Subscribers First-time subscribers to 340B Report can use code PODCAST25 for 25% off when subscribing. Or contact us for a free 15-day trial to see why 340B Report is the indispensable source for 340B news and intelligence.

In this episode of our business podcast 340B Leaders Upfront, host Anna Mangum sits down with Melissa Opraseuth, Chief Clinical Officer at NuvemRx. Founded in 2013 as 340B Basics and rebranded as NuvemRx in 2023 to reflect a broader mission, the firm offers solutions in pharmacy management, 340B technology and compliance customized for community health centers.   Key Topics Covered:   Journey to 340B Melissa shares formative experiences that inspired her to pursue a career in pharmacy,, including how healthcare technology innovations and other supports were critically important for a disabled family member. She outlines her experience in direct patient care, medical affairs at two drug companies, entrepreneurship, and executive leadership.   Referral Capture from Specialist Visits Melissa provides background on the company that she worked for before it was acquired by NuvemRx earlier this year that specializes in referral capture. She highlights how this service is unlocking 340B savings that community health center clients are investing in a variety of programs to serve vulnerable patients, such as addressing pediatric dental "deserts" and helping with transportation needs.   Responding to Claims Data Requirements Melissa provides an overview of how clients are leveraging NuvemRx' platform to respond to drug manufacturers' increasing claims data requirements. She describes the advantage of deploying NuvemRx' synergistic platform, which supports the full dispensing footprint, including in-house, contract and specialty pharmacy, versus managing disparate platforms.   Career Directions in 340B Services Melissa describes current and emerging career opportunities in the 340B services space, including in technology. She emphasizes the importance of consistently honing a strong understanding of covered entity operations, and of seeking input and guidance from 340B peers.   Follow our Podcasts   Stay tuned for more episodes of 340B Leaders Upfront, which are posted monthly! Subscribe to 340B Leaders Upfront on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube.   Bonus: Listen to Inside 340B Report, our twice-monthly podcast, to get a behind-the-scenes window into the latest 340B news and developments from the journalists at 340B Report.   Special Offer for New 340B Report Subscribers First-time subscribers to 340B Report can use code PODCAST25 for 25% off when subscribing. Or contact us for a free 15-day trial to see why 340B Report is the indispensable source for 340B news and intelligence.

In this episode of our business podcast 340B Leaders Upfront, host Anna Mangum sits down with Lynn Eschenbacher, Chief Pharmacy and Strategy Officer, and Anthony Velazquez, Chief Product Officer. PharmaForce is a pharmacy solutions provider, third-party administrator (TPA), and pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) that provides inventory management, contract pharmacy, split billing implementation, referral capture, and 340B ESP reporting services to 340B health systems and grantees.   Key Topics Covered:   Formative Experiences in 340B Lynn and Anthony outline their career trajectories in pharmacy leadership and business operations, respectively, and formative experiences in providing pharmacy services to vulnerable patient populations in 340B settings. Lynn describes her roles with a number of prestigious academic health centers and start-up ventures. Anthony describes his 340B business and compliance roles with both health centers and health systems in the Philadelphia area.   Information to Action to Outcomes Anthony provides an overview of how PharmaForce is reimagining the TPA space, anchored by an evolving business intelligence platform that enables covered entities (CEs) to help meet the new compliance requirements and other challenges in 340B. Lynn reviews several key features of the platform: adaptability, real-time transparency, data insight, and unification of siloed functions and data streams.   Investing in Technology vs. More FTEs Anthony provides a historical perspective, observing that today's CEs are at an inflection point: having to deploy ever increasing numbers of highly specialized staff to operate the 340B program, and why embracing technology can play a key role in alleviating the burden. He showcases the value of PharmaForce's offerings in enabling CEs to more effectively meet the growing volume and magnitude of compliance demands.   Supporting Clients in Addressing State-Level Action Lynn provides an overview of how PharmaForce supports clients in navigating the fragmented and sometimes confusing landscape of state-level contract pharmacy restrictions and provider reporting requirements, ranging from interpreting new policies to implementing documentation discipline.   340B Leadership Skills Lynn outlines key skills in effective operational leadership for the 340B programs of today: approaching 340B strategically, versus administering 340B as an isolated program within a larger healthcare system or context; crafting the CE's narrative around 340B, to ensure that it is accurate; cultivating relationships with C-suite leaders; and investing in IT and other infrastructure solutions to more efficiently manage increasingly complex 340B operations.   Follow our Podcasts   Stay tuned for more episodes of 340B Leaders Upfront, which are posted monthly! Subscribe to 340B Leaders Upfront on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube.   Bonus: Listen to Inside 340B Report, our twice-monthly podcast, to get a behind-the-scenes window into the latest 340B news and developments from the journalists at 340B Report.   Special Offer for New 340B Report Subscribers First-time subscribers to 340B Report can use code PODCAST25 for 25% off when subscribing. Or contact us for a free 15-day trial to see why 340B Report is the indispensable source for 340B news and intelligence.

In this episode of our business-focused podcast 340B Leaders Upfront, host Anna Mangum sits down with RxParadigm senior leaders Tim Neylan, Chief Operating Officer and Lauren Reiss, Chief Strategy Officer. RxParadigm is a pharmacy technology solutions provider developing what the firm describes as the first ever neutral 340B claims clearinghouse. Tungsten+PLUS™  is a new system to resolve duplicate discounts and other pricing discrepancy challenges.  A neutral infrastructure, RxParadigm argues, is particularly important because it provides a shared operational framework that is not exclusively controlled by manufacturers, covered entities (CEs), or other single stakeholders. This can support greater trust, transparency, standardization, and operational consistency. Key Topics Covered:  Pathway to 340B  Tim and Lauren outline their backgrounds in managed IT services and business process and operations, respectively. Lauren shares how working in 340B is a "family" business for her, her brother and their children, who are following in Lauren's father's footsteps in 340B service companies. 340B Skillset Lauren discusses some of the key skills and aptitudes that are increasingly valuable for 340B professionals: coordinating across multiple, often disconnected systems, understanding how to interpret and apply data across business functions, and adaptability. Mitigating Medicare Maximum Fair Price Workflow Impacts Tim provides an overview of RxParadigm's portfolio and how it continues to support clients in navigating the increasing pace of policy changes in the 340B landscape. Lauren emphasizes  the need for providers to have ready access and visibility into their own data, and for standardized processes and policies to respond to the disparate types and patterns of data requests from drug manufacturers and other stakeholders.  Lauren discusses RxParadigm's recent analysis showing that 40% of Medicare Maximum Fair Price (MFP) claims missed the mark in January, the first month of the new program's effectuation, and how the firm supports clients in improving their performance given operationally complex and heavy MFP workflows. She describes how Tungsten+PLUS™ takes care of disputes when MFP reimbursements and 340B rebate payments are not made accurately, on time, or at all. Oregon and National 340B Claims Clearinghouse Solutions Tim outlines how RxParadigm is serving as a clearinghouse for data from CEs and pharmacies in Oregon, in response to a new state policy requiring CEs and their pharmacies to include a 340B indicator. Tim also touches upon the Rx Paradigm's first of its kind national neutral clearinghouse. Unlike the current vendors that are retained by the drug industry to collect claims data from CEs, Rx Paradigm's service is an impartial solution to the industry-wide challenge of 340B de-duplication, enabling trusted coordination, compliance, and accuracy across stakeholders without the need to share sensitive information.   Follow our Podcasts Stay tuned for more episodes of 340B Leaders Upfront, which are posted monthly! Subscribe to 340B Leaders Upfront on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube.  Bonus: Listen to Inside 340B Report, our twice-monthly podcast, to get a behind-the-scenes window into the latest 340B news and developments from the journalists at 340B Report. Special Offer for New 340B Report Subscribers First-time subscribers to 340B Report can use code PODCAST25 for 25% off when subscribing. Or contact us for a free 15-day trial to see why 340B Report is the indispensable source for 340B news and intelligence.

In this episode of our business-focused podcast 340B Leaders Upfront, host Anna Mangum sits down with Nick Rebmann, Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer of Pillr Health. Pillr Health is a leading provider of innovative solutions designed to optimize and streamline pharmacy operations. Their focus is on enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and improving patient outcomes, particularly within the 340B space. Key Topics Covered:  Pathway to 340B and Pillr Health Nick outlines his journey to 340B, including his education as a PharmD and MBA and his stint at Rite Aid. He describes his later roles including COO at Hudson Headwaters Health Network, the renowned community health center in upstate New York, where he grew up and continues to reside, and subsequently CEO of the 340B services company Hudson Headwaters 340B, which was acquired by Pillr Health.  Skills and Mentors Nick describes the varied skills and aptitudes that enable professionals to navigate 340B. He also discusses the mentoring he received at all levels of his career and its importance in shaping his leadership effectiveness and direction. Value Proposition Nick provides an overview of Pillr Health's 340B portfolio, highlighting the firm's pharmacy accelerator, which supports clients in expanding current pharmacies or building specialty pharmacies. He discusses Pillr's Rebate Readiness Center which helps clients navigate the anticipated shift of some 340B drugs from an upfront discount to a rebate model. He also touches upon its offerings aimed at alleviating contract pharmacy restrictions and manufacturer claims data requirements. Community Voices 340B Nick describes Community Voices 340B (CV340B), a grassroots 340B advocacy organization which he chairs and for which Pillr Health was a founding member. He describes the organization's success stories and urges providers to continue to showcase 340B's essential role in serving vulnerable patients. Follow our Podcasts Stay tuned for more episodes of 340B Leaders Upfront, which are posted monthly! Follow 340B Leaders Upfront on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube.  Bonus: Listen to Inside 340B Report, our twice-monthly podcast, to get a behind-the-scenes window into the latest 340B news and developments from the journalists at 340B Report. Special Offer for New 340B Report Subscribers First-time subscribers to 340B Report can use code PODCAST25 for 25% off when subscribing. Or contact us for a free 15-day trial to see why 340B Report is the indispensable source for 340B news and intelligence.

In this episode of our business-focused podcast 340B Leaders Upfront, host Anna Mangum sits down with two senior leaders at Visante: Kristin Fox-Smith, Managing Director, and Angela De Ianni, Senior Vice President of Client Services. Visante is a leading national healthcare solutions firm focused on pharmacy strategy and performance, with extensive expertise and offerings in 340B. Key Topics Covered:  Pathways to Visante Kristin and Angela outline their respective journeys in 340B. Kristin describes her early career role in implementing a medication assistance program at the University of Utah and subsequent leadership posts, and some of the important mentors she received training from over the years. Angela describes her career trajectory from serving as a pharmacy director to supply chain leadership positions at Wheaton Franciscan and Aurora Health Care. Kristin highlights how the 340B space, with its numerous and sometimes competing stakeholders, attracts professionals who enjoy solving problems that do not have black and white answers. Key Origins and Offerings Kristin describes Visante's origin story and the 25-year old firm's products and services. They outline Visante's evolution from offering audit compliance support to the current portfolio of 340B optimization, program management and specialty pharmacy offerings, which are highly valued by both covered entities (CEs) with mature 340B programs as well as those which require more external support. Value Proposition Angela highlights Visante's extensive relationships with key third-party administrators (TPAs), strong familiarity with manual and homegrown solutions, and experience with 340B AI firms. She also talks about Visante's ability to work closely with the vendors who work for the drug industry on claims data requests. Together, these attributes uniquely equip Visante to support clients in navigating challenges such as the anticipated 340B rebate model pilot. Helping to Shape 340B Kristin and Angela provide helpful advice to CEs and others interested in protecting and strengthening the 340B program. They also advise CEs to review the basics of their 340B programs to identify any areas for improvement or savings, while also responding to new challenges. Follow our Podcasts Stay tuned for more episodes of 340B Leaders Upfront, which are posted monthly! Subscribe to 340B Leaders Upfront on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Bonus: Listen to Inside 340B Report, our twice-monthly podcast, to get a behind-the-scenes window into the latest 340B news and developments from the journalists at 340B Report. Special Offer for New 340B Report Subscribers First-time subscribers to 340B Report can use code PODCAST25 for 25% off when subscribing. Or contact us for a free 15-day trial to learn why 340B Report is the indispensable source for 340B news and intelligence.

In the latest episode of our business-focused podcast 340B Leaders Upfront, host Anna Mangum sits down with two senior leaders at Verity Solutions: Brendan Kerrigan, Chief Growth Officer, and Kim Pirtle, Regulatory and Compliance Director. Verity Solutions is an award-winning leader in pharmacy supply chain software and services for better financial results and patient care. Key Topics Covered: Pathways to 340B Brendan and Kim describe their respective pathways to the 340B space and to Verity Solutions. Brendan, who comes from a family of nurses, outlines his business development roles in payer, clinical services and health care fintech companies, including venture capital backed firms as well as Fortune 50 health plans. Kim, a pharmacist, describes her leadership roles at CVS Health, Walgreens, and Onco 360, as well as her time at Erlanger Health System, one of the first hospitals in the country to enroll in the 340B program. They describe the value of continued operational precision given the oversight of the program by numerous stakeholders including Congress, state houses, regulators and the courts, and how precision also drives quality patient care.  Key Offerings Kim and Brendan provide an overview of Verity Solutions' compliance-centric, transparency focused end-to-end 340B administration solutions and offerings such as their purchasing optimization suite and their price verification service, Verisave. They also outline Verity Solutions' extensive customer support platform, and the firm's receipt of the 2026 Best in KLAS Award. Upstream Challenges Impacting Operations Brendan discusses how Verity Solutions supports clients in navigating emerging reimbursement flows, the integration of Medicare maximum fair price (MFP) files, and the importance of having helpful administrative and reporting resources. Kim outlines how drug manufacturer 340B list price reductions can be helpful to patients but are resulting in lower reimbursement - and thus lower savings opportunities - and how Verity Solutions supports clients in addressing this challenge. Staying Resilient Kim encourages covered entities to remember the "why" in 340B: patients who need support and care and to remain agile in responding to the ongoing challenges in program implementation. Brendan points to Verity Solutions' relationship with Evernorth Health Services and how this enhances Verity's portfolio and operations. Follow our Podcasts Stay tuned for more episodes of 340B Leaders Upfront, which are posted monthly! Subscribe to 340B Leaders Upfront on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Bonus: Listen to Inside 340B Report, our twice-monthly podcast, to get a behind-the-scenes window into the latest 340B news and developments from the journalists at 340B Report. Special Offer for New 340B Report Subscribers First-time subscribers to 340B Report can use code PODCAST25 for 25% off when subscribing. Or contact us for a free 15-day trial to see why 340B Report is the indispensable source for 340B news and intelligence.

In the latest episode of our business-focused podcast 340B Leaders Upfront, host Anna Mangum sits down with two executive leaders at VytlOne: Joel Wright, President of Pharmacy Services and John Stephens, Senior Vice President of Transformation and Analytics. VytlOne is a comprehensive pharmacy services company that also offers pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services. Key Topics Covered: Pathways to 340B Joel and John describe their respective pathways to 340B and to VytlOne. Joel outlines prior roles in pharmacy, including at Walgreens. John outlines his background in business development, strategy and innovation, including a stint at the specialty pharmacy service company AllianceRx that provided services to 340B providers.  Rebate Pilot John discusses the recently paused rebate pilot program, and how covered entities are navigating the temporary injunction imposed by a federal court and the uncertainty around the pilot's potential return. Joel encourages providers to prepare for the eventual return of the program, including thoroughly understanding cash flow impacts and reporting requirements. Medicare Price Negotiation Program Joel discusses the new Medicare price negotiation program and compares its implementation which began on January 1, with the paused rebate pilot. He describes the major differences in how each of these was approached, noting the short runway for covered entities (CEs) to prepare for the rebate pilot in contrast to the Medicare price negotiation program. Drug Manufacturer Price Reductions John outlines how price reductions negotiated by Medicare may impact 340B ceiling prices and the potential implications of this interplay for CE cash flow. 340B Pharmacy Management + PBM Joel provides an overview of VytlOne's unique portfolio which includes both 340B pharmacy management services as well as a PBM offering. Follow our Podcasts Stay tuned for more episodes of 340B Leaders Upfront, which are posted monthly! Subscribe to 340B Leaders Upfront on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Bonus: Listen to Inside 340B Report, our twice-monthly podcast, to get a behind-the-scenes window into the latest 340B news and developments from the journalists at 340B Report. Special Offer for New 340B Report Subscribers First-time subscribers to 340B Report can use code PODCAST25 for 25% off when subscribing. Or contact us for a free 15-day trial to see why 340B Report is the indispensable source for 340B news and intelligence.

In the latest episode of our business-focused podcast 340B Leaders Upfront, host Anna Mangum sits down with two executive leaders at The Craneware Group: Chief Customer Officer Lidia Rodriguez-Hupp and Chief Transformation Officer Tara Hanuscak. Founded in 1999, The Craneware Group is a leading provider of healthcare financial performance and 340B management solutions, serving over 12,000 hospitals, clinics and pharmacies. Key Topics Covered: Pathways to 340B Lidia and Tara describe their respective pathways to 340B and to The Craneware Group. Lidia outlines prior roles as a congressional aide and in various 340B provider service leadership positions. Tara outlines her 18 years rising through the ranks in pharmacy administration at OhioHealth and her leadership in 340B compliance and implementation.  Trisus Optimization Suites Tara outlines Trisus, The Craneware Group's SaaS-based cloud platform which includes four optimization suites designed to unify financial, clinical, and operational data into one ecosystem. She details how the platform comprehensively builds out the firm's flagship chargemaster solution. Acquisitions and AI Lidia and Tara describe The Craneware Group's acquisition of long-time 340B industry leader Sentry Data Systems and Agilum Healthcare, and how the integration of these platforms enables 340B hospitals to manage their costs, maximize compliance, and capture revenue in supporting sustainable margins for delivering patient care. Tara outlines the firm's moves in leveraging AI, including Trisus Assist, an assistive AI capability that pairs automation with transparency to support better, faster decisions across healthcare finance and operations. Rebate Pilot Resource Center and Contract Pharmacy Restriction Tool Lidia raises concerns about what she sees as the disruptive and harmful impact of the rebate pilot on 340B covered entities. She previews the firm's Rebate Pilot Resource Center which enables clients to help protect cash flow challenges due to rebate recovery delays and harnessing data and documentation to defend against denials. She also provides an overview of the firm's manufacturer restriction tool, a critically important resource since the firm has the largest number of contract pharmacy networks in 340B. 340B Matters Campaign and Advocate Awards Lidia describes the firm's 340B Matters initiative, an informational campaign launched by Sentry in 2016 to be a candid, strong voice in promoting the 340B program's importance to the public and to policymakers. Follow our Podcasts Stay tuned for more episodes of 340B Leaders Upfront, which are posted monthly! Subscribe to 340B Leaders Upfront on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Bonus: Listen to Inside 340B Report, our twice-monthly podcast, to get a behind-the-scenes window into the latest 340B news and developments from the journalists at 340B Report. Special Offer for New 340B Report Subscribers First-time subscribers to 340B Report can use code PODCAST25 for 25% off when subscribing. Or contact us for a free 15-day trial to see why 340B Report is the indispensable source for 340B news and intelligence.

In the latest episode of our business-focused podcast 340B Leaders Upfront, host Anna Mangum sits down with Rob Ferraro, Chief Operating Officer and Principal of Ravin Consultants. A Florida-based company founded by Jennifer Lockwood in 2017, Ravin Consultants specializes in various 340B implementation and compliance matters. The growing company supports a variety of covered entity (CE) types in key dimensions of 340B, including enrollment, implementation, compliance, and optimization. Key Topics Covered: Pharmacy Career Focus Rob describes his education in pharmacy and his roles in a variety of settings including CVS Health, HCA Healthcare, MailMeds and TrellisRx, culminating in being one of the first hires at Ravin Consultants. 340B Specialty Rob outlines Ravin Consultants' strategic decision to focus on 340B, and the four key areas where it provides services: enrollment, implementation, compliance, and optimization. He describes the unique experience and skill sets that distinguishes the team ("Ravineers"), including their deep roots in the 340B program and their 340B ACE certification. Keeping the Lights On - And More Rob shares several inspiring success stories of supporting clients in securing 340B savings which enabled them to provide much-needed services to vulnerable populations. One client was not only able to keep the lights on but add a mobile unit to reach more underserved patients in their community. Another was able to use their savings to enable patients to qualify for medical insurance so they could receive Hepatitis C treatment. Rebate Pilot and Contract Pharmacy Challenges Rob outlines how Ravin Consultants deploys its 340B dashboard to help clients analyze the impact of the soon to be launched rebate pilot and contract pharmacy restrictions, and determine actions that may be needed, such as establishing an in-house pharmacy. Protecting 340B Rob encourages CEs to actively participate in advocacy efforts, including reaching out to lawmakers with compelling stories about how 340B enables them to support their communities. Follow our Podcasts Stay tuned for more episodes of 340B Leaders Upfront, which are posted monthly! Subscribe to 340B Leaders Upfront on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Bonus: Listen to Inside 340B Report, our twice-monthly podcast, to get a behind-the-scenes window into the latest 340B news and developments from the journalists at 340B Report. Special Offer for New 340B Report Subscribers First-time subscribers to 340B Report can use code PODCAST25 for 25% off when subscribing. Or contact us for a free 15-day trial to see why 340B Report is the indispensable source for 340B news and intelligence.

In the latest episode of our business focused podcast 340B Leaders Upfront, host Anna Mangum sits down with Scott Seidelmann, CEO of Nuvem, and Nuvem Chief Customer Officer Brenda Barry. Nuvem, founded in 2013 as 340B Basics and rebranded as Nuvem in 2023 to reflect a broader mission, offers solutions in pharmacy management, 340B technology and compliance largely customized for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Ryan White Clinics (RWCs). Key Topics Covered: Career Journeys Scott and Brenda describe their respective educational backgrounds and career trajectories, including stints in healthcare start ups and with McKesson and Omnicell, among others. Value Proposition Pillars and Upcoming Apollo Launch Scott discusses how Nuvem's integrated portfolio of third party administration (TPA) plus pharmacy management and other key services enables community health centers to achieve better outcomes, increase access and generate much-needed savings. He outlines the key pillars of what differentiates Nuvem in the competitive 340B space: specialization in FQHCs and RWCs; continued investment in an analytics and knowledge function ("mission control"), as well as a proprietary software platform, Apollo. Brenda provides an example of how, thanks to Nuvem's solutions, a rural Pennsylvania FQHC optimized its savings, which the center then invested into much-needed translation and transportation services. 340B Policy Challenges Scott outlines how Nuvem is supporting clients in navigating the compliance and implementation impacts of regulatory headwinds, including contract pharmacy restrictions and the upcoming pilot of a shift in 340B from an upfront discount model to a rebate for certain drug products.  Follow our Podcasts Stay tuned for more episodes of 340B Leaders Upfront, which are posted monthly! Follow 340B Leaders Upfront on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Bonus: Listen to Inside 340B Report, our twice monthly podcast, to get a behind-the-scenes window into the latest 340B news and developments from the journalists at 340B Report. Special Offer for New 340B Report Subscribers First-time subscribers to 340B Report can use code PODCAST25 for 25% off when subscribing. Or contact us for a free 15-day trial to see why 340B Report is the indispensable source for 340B news and intelligence.

In our latest episode of our business focused podcast 340B Leaders Upfront, host Anna Mangum sits down with Ali Farzad, Chief Executive Officer of CompassRx and Alice Cheng, CompassRx Chief Operating Officer. CompassRx's solution leverages AI to streamline and improve 340B operations, such as signficantly increasing the capture of in-house prescriptions. Key Topics Covered: 340B Career Trajectories Ali and Alice describe their 340B career trajectories and what inspired them to co-found CompassRx, having worked as colleagues at two different healthcare AI startups, Aegis Ventures and Ascertain as well as time at CVS Health and a prestigious national consulting firm. In addition to telling us about their compelling life stories, they discuss how their respective additional experiences on the provider side inform their strong command of the many operational and other challenges facing 340B covered entities. Deploying AI to Increase 340B Capture Rate Ali discusses how CompassRx partners with its health system and community health center clients to create customized AI-powered solutions to increase their 340B in-house pharmacy capture rate, which results not only in significant savings but improved patient outcomes. Alice outlines the benefits and risks of AI and how covered entities can increase efficiency while also ensuring patient safety and data privacy and security. Ongoing Policy Challenges Ali and Alice express their concerns about the ongoing challenges facing covered entities, including contract pharmacy restrictions and the potential shift in the 340B program from an upfront discount to a rebate model. They discuss ways to mitigate the damage and detail how AI is a powerful tool for addressing escalating compliance demands on already strained 340B workflows. Follow our Podcasts Stay tuned for more episodes of 340B Leaders Upfront, which are posted monthly! Subscribe to 340B Leaders Upfront on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Bonus: Listen to Inside 340B Report, our twice monthly podcast, to get a behind-the-scenes window into the latest 340B news and developments from the journalists at 340B Report.  Special Offer for New 340B Report Subscribers First-time subscribers to 340B Report can use code PODCAST25 for 25% off when subscribing. Or contact us for a free 15-day trial to see why 340B Report is the indispensable source for 340B news and intelligence.

As you may know, 340B Report now has two podcasts. In addition to Inside 340B Report—a twice monthly podcast featuring conversations between our editorial team on the latest 340B news developments—we launched a business focused podcast called 340B 360° earlier this year. We are excited to announce that we are changing the name of the business podcast to 340B Leaders Upfront. The new name more accurately reflects the podcast's purpose of showcasing conversations with industry executives who are at the cutting edge of innovation and leadership in the 340B space. In our latest episode of 340B Leaders Upfront, host Anna Mangum sits down with Joy Liu, founder and CEO of Plenful, and Tim L'Hommedieu, Plenful's senior vice president of pharmacy. Built to automate healthcare's most manual, fragmented workflows, Plenful streamlines a diverse range of complex processes. Plenful's Agentic Platform offers end-to-end solutions for leading healthcare organizations including 340B Optimization, Intake Authorization and more. Key Topics Covered: From Healthcare Operations to the C-Suite Joy and Tim describe the progression of their careers from operational roles in health care systems, including specialty pharmacy, to executive leadership posts with Plenful. Joy shares a personal story about serving as a patient advocate for a family member, witnessing firsthand the challenges of navigating specialty pharmacy. At Shields Healthcare Solutions, she helped implement 340B specialty pharmacy programs and gained exposure to workflow inefficiencies. Tim, a third-generation pharmacist, discusses his experiences in 340B, starting in pediatric and other hospital and healthcare system settings, and later, at firms focused on leveraging automation and AI to improve efficiencies and patient outcomes. AI in Pharmacy and 340B Joy outlines Plenful's focus of reducing operational inefficiencies and powering a better health care system for all. Plenful believes that administrative workflows are a major area for optimization and growth, especially for the AI technology that they are building. Joy discusses three key areas where Plenful creates value: 1) time and cost savings, especially in administrative workflows; 2) increasing revenue, margin, and/or capacity expansion, which is highly relevant in maximizing 340B savings; and 3) institutional knowledge and ensuring that a covered entity's specific nuances, such as in 340B, are housed in one platform that can handle that complexity at scale. 340B Audit and Optimization Suite Tim describes Plenful's 340B Audit and Optimization Suite, which includes automation and AI solutions to perform compliance audits, access savings opportunities, capture referrals and meet government and manufacturer reporting requirements. Plenful also offers a tool to enable effective claims reconciliation in the forthcoming 340B rebate pilot program, and an intake authorization suite that is particularly relevant to 340B providers responding to contract pharmacy restrictions. Selecting AI Vendors Tim outlines what to look for in AI vendors, stressing the importance of connecting AI solutions for pharmacy to the organization's overall digital transformation strategy. Among other things, he emphasizes the importance of selecting an AI partner that brings both pharmacy and healthcare expertise, as well as feedback loops that facilitate improved performance of automation and AI tools over time.  Preparing for Emerging Challenges Joy highlights the importance of proactively responding to the rapid pace of change in 340B, and engaging partners who understand the unique nuances, compliance requirements and other dimensions of this space.  You can learn more about Plenful at plenful.com. You can read the article Tim references, "How to Vet AI Partners: A Pharmacy Leader's Playbook", here in Becker's Hospital Review. Follow our Podcasts Stay tuned for more episodes of 340B Leaders Upfront, which are posted monthly! Subscribe to 340B Leaders Upfront on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Bonus: Listen to Inside 340B Report, our twice monthly podcast, to get a behind-the-scenes window into the latest 340B news and developments from the journalists at 340B Report.  Special Offer for New 340B Report Subscribers First-time subscribers to 340B Report can use code PODCAST25 for 25% off when subscribing. Or sign up for a free 15-day trial to see why 340B Report is the indispensable source for 340B news and intelligence.

Episode 4: 340B Clearinghouse Game Changer: A Conversation with Tim Neylan, Chief Operating Officer of RxParadigm In this episode of Inside 340B 360°, host Anna Mangum sits down with RxParadigm COO Tim Neylan. Tim reflects on his career journey from the IT services industry, including with drug manufacturers, to his current leadership role with RxParadigm. RxParadigm is a pharmacy technology services provider offering what Tim describes as the first neutral 340B claims clearinghouse. Tungsten+PLUS™ is a new system to resolve duplicate discounts that does not share data with the drug industry, something many in the 340B community believe could be a game changer in resolving one of the most hotly debated challenges in the 340B program. Key Topics Covered: Professional Roots in IT Tim describes his pathway into 340B from health care IT and how his skills are transferable to the 340B space. He describes the mission orientation that motivates many professionals in the 340B program and the energizing nature of impacting the lives of patients. Mission + Movement: Neutral 340B Clearinghouse Tim outlines what RxParadigm describes as a neutral 340B clearinghouse and the experiences that motivated its founder Mesfin Tegenu to launch this solution with the ultimate aim of reducing drug costs and improving health outcomes. Through their platform, both covered entities and drug manufacturers have what Tim describes as a safe place to collaborate to address the challenge of preventing duplicate discounts. Application of Clearinghouse to Medicare Maximum Fair Price Tim discusses the promising application of the clearinghouse for identifying 340B discounts and MFP claims. The clearinghouse helps covered entities identify MFP claims that overlap with 340B and determine which discount is most applicable to them. The solution also helps manufacturers reimburse MFP claims on time and correctly. Staying Ahead of the Curve on Federal Requirements Tim discusses how RxParadigm's neutral clearinghouse is a proactive step towards the centralized, neutral clearinghouse that is called for in pending federal legislation and solution to a long-time challenge. Follow our Podcasts Stay tuned for more episodes of 340B 360°, which are posted monthly! Subscribe to 340B 360° on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on YouTube for video interviews. Bonus: Listen to Inside 340B Report, our twice monthly podcast, to get a behind-the-scenes window into the latest 340B news and developments from the journalists at 340B Report.  Special Offer for New 340B Report Subscribers First-time subscribers to 340B Report can use code PODCAST25 for 25% off your subscription. Or sign up for a free 15-day trial to see why 340B Report is the indispensable source for 340B news and intelligence.

Note: After the taping of this podcast, Maxor rebranded to VytlOne. The new name VytlOne is used below.  Episode 3: From Smalltown Pharmacy to National 340B Firm: A Conversation with Joel Wright and Abel Haile of VytlOne In this episode of Inside 340B 360°, host Anna Mangum sits down with VytlOne President of Pharmacy Services Joel Wright and Senior Director of Health System Strategy and Commercial Analytics, Abel Haile. Joel and Abel reflect on their career journeys as a pharmacist and healthcare finance specialist, respectively, to their current leadership roles with VytlOne, which was founded by pharmacist and former Amarillo, Texas Mayor Jerry Hodge nearly a century ago as a community pharmacy, and has expanded to a comprehensive national pharmacy services firm with over 1,500 employees. Key Topics Covered: Pathways to Leadership in 340B Abel and Joel describe their respective pathways into 340B from for-profit retail and specialty pharmacy,  as well as stints in healthcare and pharmacy consulting. They reflect on the unique aspects of 340B as a provider of care for vulnerable patients, and as a "downstream" program within larger healthcare provider settings, requiring careful tracking and management of upstream operational and infrastructure developments. Addressing Contract Pharmacy Restrictions Joel outlines VytlOne's compliance solutions and support for covered entities to ensure providers can maximize their savings given the growing number of manufacturer-imposed restrictions in contract pharmacy. Building On-Site Pharmacies, PBMs Joel and Abel tell us how their company supports clients in establishing on-site pharmacies as an effective strategy for improving the patient care experience and meeting financial sustainability objectives. They also describe the firm's PBM solution. Rebate Model Threats to Operations, Cashflow Joel and Abel discuss the potential shift of 340B from a discount program to a rebate model and challenges this may pose to providers, and ultimately, patient care. This includes implications for provider cash flow, workflows and appropriate resolution of disputes over claims eligibility. They encourage covered entities to advocate to protect 340B. Medicaid and Self-Audits Abel discusses the possibility that states will require covered entities to perform self-audits of their 340B Medicaid billing requirements, like what has been instituted in California. He provides advice for entities to ensure overall compliance with their program. Follow our Podcasts Stay tuned for more episodes of 340B 360°, which are posted monthly! Subscribe to 340B 360° on your favorite podcast platform or our YouTube channel. Also, listen to Inside 340B Report, our twice monthly podcast, to get a behind-the-scenes view into the latest 340B news and developments from the journalists at 340B Report. Special Offer for New 340B Report Subscribers First-time subscribers to 340B Report can use code PODCAST25 for 25% off. Or sign up for a free 15-day trial to see why 340B Report is the indispensable source for 340B news and intelligence.