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News Releases PBMI Expands 2008 Drug Benefit Conference to Better Serve Benefits Professionals PBMI Accepting Entries for Rx Benefit Innovation Award Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute Survey Rates Industry’s Pharmacy Benefit Managers PBMI Issues Call for Speakers for 2008 Drug Benefit Conference Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute Conducting 12th Annual Drug Benefit Design Survey Online Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute Recognizes Innovation in Drug Benefit Industry PBMI Drug Benefit Conference Fosters Better Benefit Decision-Making PBMI Drug Benefit Conference Qualifies for CE Credit Conference Offers Cost Saving Strategies for Drug Benefit Programs Last Call for Rx Benefit Innovation Award Entries PBMI Drug Benefit Conference To Address Complex Industry Issues Research Shows PBM Transparency Influences Employer Satisfaction Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute Recognizes Innovation in Drug Benefit Industry Drug Benefit Experts Invest in Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute PBMI Drug Management Conference Highlights Medicare Part D Issues PBMI Drug Management Conference Features New Workshops Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute Recognizes Innovation in Drug Benefit Industry
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz, February 28, 2008 — The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI) has awarded its 2008 Rx Benefit Innovation Awards to MemberHealth, LLC; Office of Group Benefits (OGB), State of Louisiana with Catalyst Rx, A HealthExtras Company; and the Upper Peninsula Health Plan with the Upper Peninsula Health Care Network. MemberHealth, LLC, a subsidiary of Universal American Corp., is being recognized for a letter-based initiative that increased HIV patient adherence to antiretroviral therapy among Medicare Part D beneficiaries. The initiative measurably improved medication possession ratios, an indicator of increased patient adherence. The Louisiana OGB and Catalyst Rx are being recognized jointly for a model physician outreach program that significantly increased prescribing and utilization of generic drugs, resulting in a three-year savings of $28 million in drug spend. Rural Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Health Plan (UPHP) and the Upper Peninsula Health Care Network (UPHCN) are being recognized for implementing a regional, cooperative formulary management system. The project resulted in improved prescribing as well as cost savings for the health plan and network providers. “Our 2008 award recipients have collaborated with drug benefit stakeholders—physicians, pharmacists and patients themselves—to improve the quality of the drug benefit they offer,” says Dana H. Felthouse, MBA, president of PBMI. “Their efforts are truly best practices that should be emulated and adopted by others to improve prescribing and increase patient adherence.” MemberHealth administers benefits for the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan, Community CCRxsm. MemberHealth used pharmacy claims data to identify HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy who had a medication possession ratio (MPR) of less than 95 percent. MemberHealth sent letters to the physicians of 1,285 members with patient-specific MPR data and encouraged them to talk with patients about compliance. Ninety days after the intervention, 46 percent of the targeted health plan members achieved an MPR greater than 95 percent. The Prescriber Education and Intervention Program implemented by Catalyst Rx for the Louisiana OGB focuses on top prescribing physicians. A partnership approach among Catalyst Rx clinical pharmacists and physicians, use of plan-specific data to model generic drug savings potential, and ongoing prescriber education are integral elements of the program. It has contributed significantly to a 5 percent increase in OGB’s generic substitution rate and a 7.2 percent increase in its generic utilization rate. UPHP and UPHCN partnered to develop a regional pharmacy and therapeutics committee. The ongoing committee includes physician and pharmacist representation from the health plan, the health care network, and 15 network hospitals. To date, the committee has reviewed 25 drug classes, completed 24 comprehensive new drug reviews, and implemented two treatment protocols. Project partners can access the reviews and protocols on the committee’s new Website. As a result of revised formularies and informed evidence-based prescribing, UPHP’s per member per month drug cost decreased 21 percent from 2003 to 2006. Network hospitals saved $381,000 in drug costs in 2007.
PBMI Educates Industry The sixth annual Rx Benefit Innovation Awards were presented today at PBMI’s 13th annual Drug Benefit Conference at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix. Past winners include AmeriHealth Mercy/Perform Rx, Cingular Wireless, Cypress Care, Catalyst Rx, Department of Defense TRICARE Management Activity, ePocrates, Express Scripts, HR Policy Association Pharmaceutical Purchasing Coalition, Medco Health Solutions, Memorial Health System, PharmaCare and the Polk County Board of County Commissioners, Prescription Solutions, SXC Health Solutions, Inc., and University of Michigan. More than 350 industry professionals involved in the design and administration of drug benefit programs attend the nation’s premier meeting dedicated to drug benefit management. PBMI provides research, continuing education, publications and Web resources to help health care purchasers work effectively with pharmacy benefit managers and other industry professionals to improve pharmacy benefit programs and control costs. Read case studies on award winners at http://www.pbmi.com/. ### PBMI Conference Offers CE Credit to Pharmacists, HR Professionals
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (February 5, 2008) – The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute’s (PBMI) 2008 Drug Benefit Conference scheduled for Feb. 26-29 in Phoenix offers free continuing education credit for both pharmacy and human resource professionals. “The PBMI Drug Benefit Conference offers a blend of formal and informal training for all of the professional disciplines involved in the design and administration of the pharmacy benefit,” says Dana H. Felthouse, MBA, president of PBMI. “Our 2008 faculty bring some of the best thinking in the marketplace about how to effectively manage drug benefit programs. Pharmacists and human resource professionals alike will benefit from this continuing education conference.” The PBMI conference is dedicated to curbing costs and maximizing quality in drug benefit programs. It addresses the needs of human resource managers, pharmacy directors, benefits consultants, information technology experts, and attorneys who plan and manage drug benefit programs for employees, retirees, union groups, trusts or health plan members. Pharmacists HR Professionals PBMI’s conference has been approved for 9.5 recertification credit hours toward the Human Resource Certification Institute’s accreditation programs including Professional in Human Resources (PHR®), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR®), and Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR™). Recertification credit also is available for the Certified Compensation Professional (CCP®), Certified Benefits Professional (CBPTM), Global Remuneration Professional (GRP®), and Work-Life Certified Professional (WLCP®) designations granted by WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals. Attorneys Health care attorneys interested in obtaining MCLE credit should contact their state bar associations to request credit for attending the PBMI conference. Conference Agenda, Registration Available Online A complete agenda, speaker information, and registration for the conference are available at www.pbmi.com/conference.asp. The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute provides research, continuing education, publications and Web resources that help health care benefit executives work effectively with their pharmacy benefit managers to improve the design and management of drug benefit programs. Learn more at http://www.pbmi.com/.
PBMI to Host Town Hall Forums on Critical Drug Benefit Topics SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (January 30, 2008) – The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute will host three Town Hall forums during its 2008 Drug Benefit Conference to better understand how employers and other drug benefit stakeholders can benefit from industry trends. The forum discussions will focus on what’s working and what challenges remain to be tackled on three issues: Emerging Models of Community Pharmacy in Patient Care, Medicare Part D Coverage/Products, and Value-based Pharmacy Benefit Design. Everyone attending the PBMI conference, February 26-29 in Key questions to be discussed include:
“This is a chance for all stakeholders – employers, pharmacy benefit managers, benefits consultants, and industry partners – to hear how their colleagues are capitalizing on new opportunities to increase the value of drug benefit programs,” says PBMI President Dana H. Felthouse, MBA. The forums are one of several ways PBMI has enhanced conference programming to encourage more discussion and idea sharing among attendees.” Following the conference, PBMI will publish white papers on the Town Hall topics. The white papers, to be published electronically, will be available free to conference attendees. They will include insights, solutions and challenges shared by Town Hall participants, as well as information from secondary research. Conference Agenda, Registration Available Online In addition to the Town Hall forums, the 2008 PBMI Drug Benefit Conference offers an educational track for human resource managers, technical programming for managed care pharmacy professionals, and an industry trends track. There are eight general sessions. Immediately before the conference, PBMI is offering a half-day workshop for benefits generalists on the essentials of managing the prescription drug benefit. A complete agenda, speaker information, and registration for PBMI’s conference are available at www.pbmi.com/conference.asp. The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute provides research, continuing education, publications and Web resources that help health care benefit executives work effectively with their pharmacy benefit managers to improve the design and management of drug benefit programs. Learn more at www.pbmi.com. ###
PBMI Conference Faculty to Address Trends in Managing Drug Benefit SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., (December 5, 2007) – The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute has expanded its 2008 Drug Benefit Conference to serve a more diverse audience of benefits professionals and increase their opportunity to network with drug benefit experts. New opportunities include a half-day workshop, educational track for benefits generalists, and town hall forums on critical issues. The conference will be held Feb. 26-29, 2008 at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in “Now in its 13th year, the PBMI Drug Benefit Conference advances best practices that help drug benefit purchasers realize the greatest return from their investment,” says PBMI President Dana H. Felthouse, MBA. “We enhanced our programming this year to better meet the needs of benefits generalists who spend only a portion of their time on the drug benefit, as well as benefits specialists and pharmacy directors who focus exclusively on the drug benefit.” Keynote speaker E. Kinney Zalesne, co-author of Microtrends: The Small Forces Behind Tomorrow’s Big Changes, will discuss emerging preferences of A hands-on, pre-conference workshop on the essentials of managing the drug benefit will be taught by recognized industry leaders. A key advantage of the workshop will be access to workshop faculty after the training for ongoing coaching as benefits managers implement ideas learned in the workshop. Conference sessions will address topics critical to managing the drug benefit in 2008 and beyond. In response to feedback from previous attendees, the conference features more interactive sessions, with town hall forums and case studies on managing drug trend, value-based benefit design, transparency, Medicare Part D, specialty drugs, generics, and drug pricing changes. In addition to eight general sessions and three town hall forums, the 2008 conference will offer 12 breakout sessions organized into three tracks: Human Resource Perspectives on the Drug Benefit, Managed Care Pharmacy Perspectives, and Industry Trends. Agenda, Registration Available Online A complete agenda, speaker information, and registration for the conference are available at www.pbmi.com/conference.asp. There are discounts for registrations received before the early bird deadline of Dec. 14, 2007. The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute provides research, continuing education, publications and Web resources that help health care benefit executives work effectively with their pharmacy benefit managers to improve the design and management of drug benefit programs. Learn more at www.pbmi.com. ###
PBMI Offers New Drug Benefit Training Workshop SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (January 8, 2008) – As part of its 2008 Drug Benefit Conference, the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute will offer a new, half-day workshop for benefits generalists on the essentials of managing the prescription drug benefit. The workshop will be held the morning of Feb. 27, 2008, before the opening of PBMI’s Drug Benefit Conference, which runs from February 27-29 at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Now in its 13th year, the PBMI Drug Benefit Conference advances best practices that help employers, union groups and other drug benefit purchasers realize the greatest return from their investment. The 2008 conference will feature an educational track for human resource managers, technical programming for managed care pharmacy professionals, and an industry trends track. “PBMI’s new workshop is designed for benefits generalists who spend only a small portion of their time overseeing the drug benefit, but want to understand more about what they’re buying and how to manage the investment,” says PBMI President Dana H. Felthouse, MBA. “The workshop also will be valuable for professionals new to drug benefit management.” The “Essential Training Workshop for Drug Benefit Management” will be taught by recognized industry leaders. The 2008 faculty includes Felthouse; Estay Greene, PharmD, Director of Pharmacy Benefits, Cleveland Health Network/Cleveland Clinic; and Jerrell Riley, CEBS, Associate Director, H&W Benefits Design, AT&T Wireless. After completing the workshop, participants will be able to:
Online resources, in-class exercises and group discussions will provide information that human resource professionals can use immediately on the job. A key advantage of the workshop will be access to workshop faculty after the training for ongoing coaching as benefits managers implement ideas learned in the workshop. More information on PBMI’s workshop and Drug Benefit Conference is available at www.pbmi.com/conference.asp. The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute provides research, continuing education, publications and Web resources that help health care benefit executives work effectively with their pharmacy benefit managers to improve the design and management of drug benefit programs. Learn more at www.pbmi.com.
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PBMI Issues Last Call for Rx Benefit Innovation Award Entries SCOTTSDALE, Ariz, (November 14, 2007) – The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI) is accepting final submissions for its 6th annual Rx Benefit Innovation Awards, which showcase innovative solutions to managing cost and quality in drug benefit programs. The deadline for submitting nominees is December 15, 2007. ### Research Confirms Correlation Between PBM Transparency and Employer Satisfaction SCOTTSDALE, Ariz, (November 29, 2007) – The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI) today released its 2007 Pharmacy Benefit Manager Customer Satisfaction Report documenting a strong correlation between transparency and employer satisfaction for the second consecutive year.
PBMI Expands 2008 Drug Benefit Conference to Better Serve Benefits Professionals SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., (December 5, 2007) – The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute has expanded its 2008 Drug Benefit Conference to serve a more diverse audience of benefits professionals and increase their opportunity to network with drug benefit experts. New opportunities include a half-day workshop, educational track for benefits generalists, and town hall forums on critical issues. The conference will be held Feb. 26-29, 2008 at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix.
Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute Research SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – (October 26, 2007) – Employers’ prescription drug cost increases remain in the single digits, according to research findings from the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute’s (PBMI) 2007 Prescription Drug Benefit Cost and Plan Design Report.
“Employers are effectively keeping their rate of drug cost increases to an average of 6.9%, the lowest rate since PBMI began conducting this survey in 1995,” said Dana H. Felthouse, MBA, PBMI president. “This is a decline of 0.6% from the 2005-06 survey. Employers are effectively using many tools to control their drug costs including multi-tiered formularies, innovative cost sharing, generic dispensing incentives, negotiated pharmacy reimbursement, and a broad range of utilization management approaches.” “PBMI’s research is a valuable reference on drug benefit plan design trends to employers, health plans, trade associations, benefits consultants, pharmacy benefit managers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and legislators,” said Suzanne McDonald, vice president, managed markets, Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. “Takeda is pleased to continue its long-standing relationship with PBMI, which founded the report in 1995.” PBMI’s 2007Prescription Drug Benefit Cost and Plan Design Report has been expanded to capture newer metrics on per member per month cost and utilization in addition to trending information on drug benefit plan design. In addition, PBMI has reinstated tracking of utilization management tools. PBMI gratefully acknowledges the support of Takeda for the provision of a grant to cover costs incurred in the production of this report. Takeda has sponsored publication of the Prescription Drug Benefit Cost and Plan Design Report since 2001. Because the new data set is so expansive, Takeda also has underwritten the development of supplemental resources at http://www.pbmi.com/ to make research findings easy to access and use in benefit planning. Copies of the 2007 report also are available at http://www.pbmi.com/. The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute provides research, continuing education, and educational tools to help health care benefit executives work effectively with pharmacy benefit managers to improve the design and management of drug benefit programs. Learn more at http://www.pbmi.com/. Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. ###
PBMI Accepting Entries for Rx Benefit Innovation Award SCOTTSDALE, Ariz, (August 22, 2007) –The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI) is accepting entries for its 6th annual Rx Benefit Innovation Awards to showcase innovative approaches to managing cost and quality in drug benefit programs. Nominees may be employers and other sponsors of drug benefit programs, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), or any other organization involved in the delivery of drug benefit programs. “PBMI wants to recognize organizations and industry partnerships that address drug benefit program challenges with new and different solutions,” says Dana H. Felthouse, MBA, president of PBMI. “Measurable outcomes are a hallmark of effective solutions. Past award winners have made significant improvements to drug benefit program design and administration.” Award recipients will be honored at PBMI's 13th annual Drug Benefit Conference to be held February 26-29, 2008 at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix. The conference, which draws more than 400 human resource executives, health plan executives, pharmacy directors, benefits consultants and pharmacy benefit managers, is dedicated to curbing costs and maximizing quality of drug benefit programs. Award entries need to include a letter to PBMI describing a drug benefit challenge, target audience, objectives, implementation plan, metrics, and results. The strongest entries clearly describe quantifiable results tied to program objectives. Supporting materials including member education materials, news releases, news clippings or letters of support from colleagues, customers or members, may be included with entry. The deadline for submitting nominees is December 15, 2007. Past award recipients include AmeriHealth Mercy/Perform Rx, Cingular Wireless, Cypress Care, Catalyst Rx, U.S. Department of Defense TRICARE Management Activity, ePocrates, Express Scripts, HR Policy Association Pharmaceutical Purchasing Coalition, Medco Health Solutions, Memorial Health System, PharmaCare and Polk County Board of County Commissioners, Prescription Solutions, SXC Health Solutions, Inc., and the University of Michigan. Additional information on the submission process is available at www.pbmi.com/awards.asp. Information on PBMI's 2008 Drug Benefit Conference also is posted at www.pbmi.com/conference.asp. The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute provides research, continuing education, publications and Web resources that help health care benefit executives work effectively with their pharmacy benefit managers to improve the design and management of drug benefit programs. Learn more at www.pbmi.com. ###
Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute Survey SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 9, 2007 —Research fielding is underway on the industry's leading customer satisfaction survey for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) conducted annually by the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute, LP (PBMI). PBMI is encouraging employers nationwide to participate. Now in its 13 th year, the one-page, fax-back survey asks employers to rate their PBMs on overall performance and 17 dimensions of service. Ratings address service functions in the areas of plan design support, administrative functions, network design and management, clinical services, and specialty pharmacy. For the first time, survey respondents will be asked to rate PBMs' Web sites for members to provide a complete picture of PBMs' customer service capabilities. Results of the survey are published in PBMI's annual PBM Customer Satisfaction Report, widely recognized for providing valuable information to benefit executives responsible for researching, selecting and managing PBM services. “PBMI's customer satisfaction study provides comparative information on the performance of individual PBMs,” says Dana H. Felthouse, president of PBMI. “Our report also features trend information about PBM performance at a detail level. From the PBM's perspective, the report provides insights about the services that have the greatest impact on improving customer satisfaction.” Employers who have not received a survey and are interested in participating should contact Jenny Powers at PBMI at 480-730-0814 or info@pbmi.com with the contact information of the person responsible for managing the organization's PBM relationship. Survey participants will receive a free copy of the 2007 PBM Customer Satisfaction Report. The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute provides research, continuing education, publications and Web resources that help health care benefit executives work effectively with their pharmacy benefit managers to improve the design and management of drug benefit programs. Learn more at http://www.pbmi.com/. ###
PBMI Issues Call for Speakers for 2008 Drug Benefit Conference SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – (June 14, 2007) – The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute's (PBMI) 2008 Drug Benefit Conference will feature a new educational track for benefits generalists and newcomers to the drug benefit arena. Speaker proposals are being accepted now for this audience, as well as presentations targeted to drug benefit specialists. The conference will be held February 26-29, 2008 at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix . PBMI is the industry's only membership organization dedicated to helping health care purchasers improve the value of their drug benefit plans. “Our annual conference has a long-standing reputation for educating the industry on the design and management of the drug benefit,” says Dana H. Felthouse, MBA, president of PBMI. “Benefit managers and pharmacy experts alike attend PBMI's meeting to learn about best practices, share their successes, and network with one another.” PBMI wants presentation proposals that educate employers, health plans, union groups and third-party administrators about cost-effective management of the drug benefit. Conference programming will include tracks on Human Resource Perspectives on the Drug Benefit , Managed Care Pharmacy Perspectives, and Industry Trends. “Our market research tells us that we serve customers at both ends of a continuum – benefits generalists who spend 25 percent or less of their time on the drug benefit, as well as benefits specialists and pharmacy directors who are exclusively focused on the drug benefit,” says Felthouse. Proposals should be submitted online at http://www.pbmi.com/SpeakerProposals08.aspby Friday, Aug. 3, 2007. PBMI is looking for proposals that:
Speakers will be notified in early fall. The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute provides research, continuing education, publications and Web resources that help health care benefit executives work effectively with pharmacy benefit managers to improve the design and management of drug benefit programs. Learn more at http://www.pbmi.com/.
Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute Conducting SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – (May 7, 2007) – Research fielding is underway on the nation’s leading survey dedicated to prescription drug benefit cost and plan design, conducted annually by the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI). The survey is being conducted online for the first time this year. PBMI is encouraging employers and other sponsors of drug benefit programs to participate. Now in its 12th year, PBMI’s Prescription Drug Benefit Cost and Plan Design Survey has been expanded to capture newer metrics on Per Member Per Month cost and utilization. In addition, the survey has reinstated tracking of utilization management tools, such as academic detailing, copayment relief, and step therapy. PBMI gratefully acknowledges the support of Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America (TPNA), Inc. for the provision of a grant to cover costs incurred in the production of this report. TPNA has no access to the individual responses or raw data gathered, nor do any other third parties. This protects the confidentiality of the survey respondents and ensures the independence and objectivity of this report. Employers who have not received a survey invitation are interested in participating should contact PBMI at 480-730-9814 or info@pbmi.com for the Web link and log-on credentials. Survey participants will receive a copy of the report. They also will be entered into a drawing for one of three free passes to the 2008 PBMI Drug Benefit Conference to be held Feb. 26-29, 2008 in Phoenix. The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute provides research, continuing education, publications and Web resources that help health care benefit executives work effectively with pharmacy benefit managers to improve the design and management of drug benefit programs. Learn more at www.pbmi.com. ###
Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute Recognizes Innovation in Drug Benefit Industry SCOTTSDALE, Ariz, February 22, 2007 — The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI) has awarded its 2007 Rx Benefit Innovation Awards to the Department of Defense (DoD) TRICARE Management Activity, PharmaCare and the Polk County Board of County Commissioners, and SXC Health Solutions, Inc., for improving the delivery of benefits in a fiscally responsible way. The DoD TRICARE Management Activity is being recognized for an online, real-time coordination of benefits program (COB) that significantly reduces the hassle factor for TRICARE beneficiaries who have drug benefit coverage from multiple sources, while also generating cost savings for the DoD Pharmacy Program. PharmaCare and the Polk County Board of County Commissioners in Bartow , Fla. , are being recognized jointly for an employer-based, pharmacist-coordinated disease management program that measurably improves the health status of diabetic and hypertensive employees and retirees. SXC Health Solutions, Inc., is being recognized for a technology solution that enables the sponsors of drug benefit plans to engage their beneficiaries in understanding drug costs and choosing low-cost alternatives when medically appropriate. “The 2007 award recipients all have forward-thinking solutions that improve the value of the drug benefit by empowering consumers,” says Dana H. Felthouse, MBA, president of PBMI. “They also showcase the value of genuine collaboration among stakeholders in the drug benefit arena.” The DoD's electronic, point-of-purchase COB program minimizes the need for millions of TRICARE beneficiaries to incur reimbursable out-of-pocket expense and then file paper claims for reimbursement. In the eight months following the COB launch, 350,000 TRICARE beneficiaries used the service. Nearly 95% were able to obtain their prescriptions with no out-of-pocket expense. The program is generating an estimated savings of $1 million annually in reduced TRICARE claims processing fees. In the Pharmacare/Polk County collaboration, PharmaCare placed a full-time clinical pharmacist onsite in Polk County 's employee health clinic to help employees, dependents and retirees manage diabetes and hypertension. More than 700 diabetic and hypertensive patients are enrolled in the program, which has resulted in significant average per-patient reductions in HgbA1c and blood pressure values. SXC's RxPORTAL™ is a consumer-friendly, online decision support tool that enables beneficiaries to run real-time trial adjudications to compare the cost impact of prescription drug alternatives, based on their own benefit design. Beneficiaries also can access quality and safety information regarding their prescription alternatives and identify the nearest pharmacy offering the best price. Analysis of trial adjudications submitted through RxPORTAL indicated that nearly 40 percent of consumers who used the tool to investigate more cost-effective drug alternatives made the decision to use a lower-cost product. These consumers realized an average per-claim savings of $41.80. The fifth annual Rx Benefit Innovation Awards were presented today at PBMI's 12th annual Prescription Drug Utilization Management Conference at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix . Past winners include AmeriHealth Mercy/Perform Rx, Cingular Wireless, Cypress Care, Catalyst Rx, ePocrates, Express Scripts, HR Policy Association Pharmaceutical Purchasing Coalition, Medco Health Solutions, Memorial Health System, Prescription Solutions, and University of Michigan. More than 350 industry professionals involved in the design and administration of drug benefit programs attend the nation's premier meeting dedicated to drug benefit management. PBMI provides research, continuing education, publications and Web resources to help health care purchasers work effectively with pharmacy benefit managers and other industry professionals to improve pharmacy benefit programs and control costs. Read case studies on award winners at www.pbmi.com. ###
PBMI Drug Benefit Conference Fosters Better Benefit Decision-Making SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (February 6, 2007) – The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute's (PBMI) 2007 Prescription Drug Utilization Management Conference will help human resource professionals and pharmacy directors sharpen their economic know-how to make smarter drug benefit decisions. Sessions on drug pricing, PBM contracting strategies, and rational cost sharing will be highlights of the conference to be held February 21-23 at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix . “The common thread among our conference sessions is actionable ideas to improve drug benefit decision-making,” says Dana H. Felthouse, MBA, president of PBMI. “We have recruited industry experts who will share successful strategies to manage drug trend and expenditures.” Conference sessions on drug benefit economics will highlight:
Conference Agenda Available On Line The PBMI conference features 10 general sessions and 12 breakout sessions. A complete agenda, and registration for the PBMI drug benefit conference is available at www.pbmi.com/conference.asp PBMI conference faculty include speakers from Carden & Associates; CIGNA Pharmacy Management; Baylor College of Medicine; Consumer Healthcare Products Association; Consumers Union; Dean Health Plan; DeNucci Enterprises; Duane Reade; Evergreen Rx; Gorman Health Group; Health Affairs ; Health Strategies Associates; HealthTrans; Humana Inc.; Interface EAP; James Boyd & Associates, Ltd; JI Companies; Medco Health Solutions; Mercer Health & Benefits; Navitus Health Solutions; Partners Rx Management; Prevsaúde; RegenceRx; Specialty Pharmacy Solutions, LLC; St. Joseph's Hospital; University of Michigan Medical Center; URAC; and U.S. Department of Justice. The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute provides research, continuing education, publications and Web resources that help health care benefit executives work effectively with their pharmacy benefit managers to improve the design and management of drug benefit programs. Learn more at www.pbmi.com . ###
PBMI Drug Benefit Conference Qualifies for CE Credit SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (January 25, 2007) – The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute's (PBMI) 2007 Prescription Drug Utilization Management Conference, to be held Feb. 21-23 in Phoenix , has been approved for continuing education credit for both human resource professionals and pharmacy professionals. The PBMI conference is dedicated to curbing costs and maximizing quality in drug benefit programs. It addresses the needs of human resource managers, pharmacy directors and benefits consultants who plan and manage drug benefit programs for employees, retirees, union groups, trusts or health plan members. “National experts in drug benefit management, managed care pharmacy, contracting and auditing will share their insights and experience at our annual conference,” says Dana H. Felthouse, MBA, president of PBMI. “This three-day meeting is a blend of formal and informal training for human resource professionals, pharmacists, physicians, and attorneys involved in the design and administration of the pharmacy benefit. HR Professionals PBMI's conference has been approved for 13.25 recertification credit hours toward the Human Resource Certification Institute's accreditation programs including Professional in Human Resources (PHR® ), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR® ), and Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR™). Recertification credit also is available for the Certified Compensation Professional (CCP® ), Certified Benefits Professional (CBP™ ) and Global Remuneration Professional (GRP® ) designations granted by WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals. Pharmacists The University of Arizona College of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmaceutical education. PBMI conference participants who attend all sessions and turn in a completed evaluation for each session attended will be awarded 11.4 contact hours of continuing pharmacy education credit. Attorneys Health care attorneys interested in obtaining MCLE credit should contact their state bar associations to request credit for attending the PBMI conference. Conference Agenda Available On Line A complete agenda, and registration for the PBMI drug benefit conference is available at www.pbmi.com/conference.asp PBMI conference faculty include speakers from Carden & Associates; CIGNA Pharmacy Management; Consumer Healthcare Products Association; Consumers Union; Dean Health Plan; DeNucci Enterprises; Duane Reade; Evergreen Rx; Gorman Health Group; Health Affairs ; Health Strategies Associates; HealthTrans; Humana Inc.; Interface EAP; James Boyd & Associates, Ltd; JI Companies; Medco Health Solutions; Mercer Health & Benefits; Navitus Health Solutions; Partners Rx Management; Prevsaúde; RegenceRx; Specialty Pharmacy Solutions, LLC; St. Joseph's Hospital; University of Michigan Medical Center; URAC; and U.S. Department of Justice. The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute provides research, continuing education, publications and Web resources that help health care benefit executives work effectively with their pharmacy benefit managers to improve the design and management of drug benefit programs. Learn more at www.pbmi.com . ###
Conference Offers Cost Saving Strategies for Drug Benefit Programs SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (January 12, 2007) – The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute's (PBMI) 2007 Prescription Drug Utilization Management Conference will feature proven strategies human resource and benefit professionals can adapt for their own organizations to curb the cost of drug benefit programs. The conference will be held Feb. 21-23, 2007 at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix . “Our conference program addresses the challenges that employers, health plans and other sponsors of drug benefit programs face on a daily basis and offers practical solutions that work,” says Dana H. Felthouse, MBA, president of PBMI. “Many of our speakers will present case studies with the economic and clinical results of successful pharmacy benefit management strategies.” Attendees of PBMI's 12 th annual conference will be able to hear about strategies for controlling the high costs of chronic disease therapies, specialty pharmacy drugs, oncology therapies, and drug therapies related to workers' compensation. Other sessions will be dedicated to cost containment in the small group environment and to the value of integrating pharmacy management into behavioral health. The industry experts on PBMI's conference faculty also will provide insight on complex issues like drug pricing, evidence-based formulary design, contracting in an era of transparency, and manufacturer rebate auditing. Agenda Available On Line A complete agenda, and registration for the conference is available at www.pbmi.com/conference.asp PBMI conference faculty include speakers from Carden & Associates; CIGNA Pharmacy Management; Consumer Healthcare Products Association; Consumers Union; Dean Health Plan; DeNucci Enterprises; Duane Reade; Evergreen Rx; Gorman Health Group; Health Affairs ; Health Strategies Associates; HealthTrans; Humana Inc.; Interface EAP; James Boyd & Associates, Ltd; JI Companies; Medco Health Solutions; Mercer Health & Benefits; Navitus Health Solutions; Partners Rx Management; Prevsaúde; RegenceRx; St. Joseph's Hospital; University of Michigan Medical Center; URAC; and U.S. Department of Justice. The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute provides research, continuing education, publications and Web resources that help health care benefit executives work effectively with their pharmacy benefit managers to improve the design and management of drug benefit programs. Learn more at www.pbmi.com. ### Last Call for Rx Benefit Innovation Award Entries SCOTTSDALE, Ariz, (December 13, 2006) –The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI) is accepting final submissions for its 5 th annual Rx Benefit Innovation Awards, which showcase innovative solutions to managing cost and quality in drug benefit programs. The deadline for submitting nominees is December 31, 2006. “Nominees may be employers and other sponsors of drug benefit programs, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), or any other organization involved in the delivery of drug benefit programs,” says Dana H. Felthouse, MBA, president of PBMI. “We want to recognize organizations that have addressed drug benefit program challenges with new and different solutions, and achieved positive, measurable results.” Award recipients will be honored at PBMI's 12 th annual Prescription Drug Utilization Management Conference to be held February 21-23, 2007 at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix. The conference, which draws more than 400 human resource executives, health plan executives, pharmacy directors, benefits consultants and pharmacy benefit managers, is dedicated to curbing costs and maximizing quality of drug benefit programs. Award entries need to include a letter to PBMI describing a statement of need or opportunity, target audience, objectives, implementation plan, metrics, and results. Supporting materials, such as member education materials, news releases, news clippings or letters of support from colleagues, customers or members, may be included. Award recipients include AmeriHealth Mercy/Perform Rx, Cingular Wireless, Cypress Care, Catalyst Rx, ePocrates, Express Scripts, HR Policy Association Pharmaceutical Purchasing Coalition, Medco Health Solutions, Memorial Health System, Prescription Solutions, and the University of Michigan. Additional information on submission process and past recipients is available at www.pbmi.com/awards.asp . Information on PBMI's 2007 Drug Benefit Conference is available at www.pbmi.com/conference.asp . The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute provides research, continuing education, publications and Web resources that help health care benefit executives work effectively with their pharmacy benefit managers to improve the design and management of drug benefit programs. Learn more at www.pbmi.com . ### PBMI Drug Benefit Conference To Address Complex Industry Issues SCOTTSDALE, Ariz, (November 27, 2006) – Drug pricing methodologies, accreditation of pharmacy benefit managers, contracting in an era of transparency, Medicare Part D, value-based drug benefit designs and emerging technologies will be among many of the complex issues discussed by industry experts at the 12 th annual Prescription Drug Utilization Management Conference hosted by the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI.) The meeting, dedicated to curbing costs and maximizing quality in drug benefit programs, will be held Feb. 21-23, 2007 at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix . “Our programming goal is to showcase innovation in the industry to help those responsible for drug benefit programs make the best decisions for their organizations, says Dana H. Felthouse, MBA, president of PBMI. “The conference also is a forum for sharing best practices. Many sessions feature case studies with proven strategies attendees can implement in their own organizations to manage costs and increase the value of the drug benefit.” PBMI's conference programming addresses the needs of employers and other organizations that sponsor drug benefit programs for employees, retirees, union groups, trusts or health plan members. In addition to 10 general sessions, the 2007 PBMI conference will feature 12 breakout sessions organized into three tracks: cost savings strategies, industry trends, and special populations. An educational forum café will be introduced to encourage networking and allow attendees to collect research reports, monographs and other reference materials on drug benefit topics. Agenda Available On Line A complete agenda, speaker information, and registration for the conference is available at www.pbmi.com/conference.asp There is a $100 discount on registrations received before Dec. 15, 2006. Experts from many organizations will speak at the PBMI conference including Carden & Associates; CIGNA Pharmacy Management; Consumer Healthcare Products Association; Consumers Union; Dean Health Plan; DeNucci Enterprises; Duane Reade; Evergreen Rx; Gorman Health Group; Health Affairs ; Health Strategies Associates; HealthTrans; Humana Inc.; Interface EAP; James Boyd & Associates, Ltd; JI Companies; Medco Health Solutions; Mercer Health & Benefits; Navitus Health Solutions; Partners Rx Management; Prevsaúde; RegenceRx; St. Joseph's Hospital; University of Michigan Medical Center; URAC; and U.S. Department of Justice. Continuing Education Credit The University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education, will award 11.4 contact hours of continuing pharmacy education credit to attendees. CE credits for human resource and benefits professionals also will be available. The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute provides research, continuing education, publications and Web resources that help health care benefit executives work effectively with their pharmacy benefit managers to improve the design and management of drug benefit programs. Learn more at www.pbmi.com . ### Research Shows PBM Transparency Influences Employer Satisfaction SCOTTSDALE, Ariz , (November 6, 2006) – The 2006 Pharmacy Benefit Manager Customer Satisfaction Report released today by the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI) shows a clear link between transparency and employer satisfaction. PBMI's annual PBM Customer Satisfaction Survey asks U.S. employers to rate their PBMs on overall service and performance and 16 individual dimensions of service. For the first time this year, PBMI compared ratings on PBM performance with responses to two questions about the degree of financial transparency in their PBM relationships and the levels of satisfaction with that transparency. “PBMI's research findings demonstrate that how PBMs conduct business does impact employer satisfaction with their services,” says Dana H. Felthouse, PBMI president. “Market forces are helping to align the objectives of PBMs and their employer customers to improve the quality of drug benefit programs.” The PBMI research shows that employers who are “extremely satisfied” with the financial transparency of their PBM relationship gave their PBMs an average overall service and performance rating of 8.9 on a 10-point scale, with 10 being the highest rating. Statistically, the rating is significantly higher than the average PBM performance ratings from employers who are less satisfied with financial transparency. By comparison, employers who are “somewhat satisfied” with financial transparency gave their PBMs an average performance rating of 7.8, while those who are “somewhat dissatisfied” or “extremely dissatisfied” with financial transparency rated their PBM's performance at 6.7 and 6.2 respectively. Satisfaction with transparency impacts performance ratings in a very similar way on the 16 individual service measures included in PBMI's research. Again, employers who are the most satisfied with financial transparency rated their PBMs significantly higher on every service measure, including “delivering promised savings” and “delivering promised services.” Slightly more than half of the survey respondents (56%) perceive their PBM relationships to be somewhat transparent, while 28 percent say their relationships are “completely transparent.” Similarly, 57 percent are “somewhat satisfied” with the degree of transparency and 26 percent are “extremely satisfied. More than 540 employers representing 11.2 million beneficiaries nationwide participated in PBMI's 2006 PBM Customer Satisfaction Survey . In addition to trend information on employer satisfaction with PBMs, the research report provides comparative information on the performance of individual PBMs. It is widely recognized for providing valuable information to benefit executives responsible for researching, selecting and managing PBM services. The report profiles 20 different PBMs. The report is available for purchase at www.pbmi.com or by calling 480-730-0814. The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute provides research, continuing education, publications and Web resources that help health care benefit executives work effectively with their pharmacy benefit managers to improve the design and management of drug benefit programs. Learn more at www.pbmi.com . ### Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute Recognizes Innovation in Drug Benefit Industry SCOTTSDALE, Ariz, April 27, 2006 — The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute has awarded its 2006 Rx Benefit Innovation Awards to Cingular Wireless and the HR Policy Association Pharmaceutical Purchasing Coalition for improving the delivery of drug benefits. Cingular Wireless of Atlanta is being recognized for a comprehensive coinsurance plan design and long-term measurement of its impact on drug spend, generic utilization, and compliance for both bargained and non-bargained employees. The HR Policy Association Pharmaceutical Purchasing Coalition, based in Washington, DC, is being recognized for articulating principles of transparency for pharmacy benefit management contracting. “Cingular Wireless and the Pharmaceutical Purchasing Coalition exemplify a commitment to improving the delivery of drug benefit programs in a fiscally responsible way,” says Dana H. Felthouse, president of the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI). “These organizations recognize the value of aligning incentives among employees and the purchasers of their health care.” In the first year of implementing its new four-tier coinsurance plan design with non-bargained employees, Cingular's cost per employee per month decreased by $6.07 or 8 percent. The plan design effectively changed employee purchasing behavior, resulting in a 4.6 percent increase in the generic dispensing rate. Compliance with drug regimens for chronic conditions improved. Annualized savings resulting from this changed employee behavior was more than $2.8 million. The HR Policy Association Pharmaceutical Purchasing Coalition of more than 50 companies representing five million lives developed and published a definition of transparency and standards. The standards, called Transparency in Pharmaceutical Purchasing Solutions (TIPPS), were published in 2005 with the technical assistance of Hewitt Associates. Since then, three of the nation's largest PBMs have been certified by the Coalition under the TIPPS platform. More PBMs are expected to be certified in 2006. HR Policy Association is a public policy advocacy organization representing the senior human resource executives of over 260 leading employers doing business in the United States. PBMI Educates Industry The fourth annual Rx Benefit Innovation Awards will be presented today at PBMI's 11th annual prescription drug utilization management conference at the Scottsdale Plaza in Scottsdale. Past winners include AmeriHealth Mercy/Perform Rx, Cypress Care, Catalyst Rx, ePocrates, Express Scripts, Medco Health Solutions, Memorial Health System, Prescription Solutions, and University of Michigan. More than 350 U.S. benefit executives who design and administer drug benefit programs attend the nation's premier meeting dedicated to drug benefit management. PBMI provides research, continuing education, publications and Web resources to help health care purchasers work effectively with PBMs and other industry professionals to improve pharmacy benefit programs and control costs. Read case studies on award winners at www.pbmi.com. ### Drug Benefit Experts Invest in Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute SCOTTSDALE, Ariz, April 26, 2006 – Dave Borden and Tim Watson, PharmD, MBA, principals of Dallas-based Pharmaceutical Strategies Group (PSG), have purchased the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI) based in Scottsdale, Arizona. PBMI provides research-based educational resources that help employers, health plans, and union groups design and manage drug benefit programs. “The purchase of PBMI is an investment in the employee benefit management industry to ensure that these research-based resources remain available to the purchasers of drug benefit services,” said Watson. “The prescription drug benefit is a complex and costly element of the health care benefit package. Managing a high-value, cost-effective prescription drug plan is a daunting task for health care purchasers. PBMI has an 11-year track record of providing research, education and publications that help purchasers tackle drug benefit management challenges. We will build on this legacy and expand PBMI’s services in each of these areas.” “PBMI was founded on the premise of helping health care purchasers curb the rate of drug benefit cost increases. We designed our signature research and developed our annual conference to support the delivery of quality drug benefits,” said Michael H. Deskin, founder of PBMI. “Dave Borden and Tim Watson’s leadership and infusion of capital will provide continued support to the drug benefit industry.” PBMI is renewing its mission to serve as the industry's premier forum for health care purchasers to exchange ideas, advance best practices, and drive appropriate changes in the pharmacy benefit management marketplace. “All of us at PBMI view industry participants and vendors as essential partners in developing and promoting innovation in the marketplace,” said Borden. “By working together, plan sponsors, PBMs, and industry partners can improve the quality of health care and control drug benefit costs without more government regulation. As industry stakeholders, we can drive market-based reform.” Deskin will continue as a senior advisor to the PBMI team. Dana H. Felthouse, MBA, has been named the new president. The PBMI team includes Maggie Bruce, director of marketing; Ken Carpenter, director of sales; William F. Kane, MS, director of research; and Jenny Powers, membership coordinator. Visit PBMI and its new service offerings at www.pbmi.com. 2006 Advisory Board Advisory Board members are Jasmine Aral, director of pharmacy finance for HIP Health Plan of New York; Donald Benson, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Health Administration Services; Keith Bruhnsen, pharmacy manager for University of Michigan; Patricia Fish, senior vice president of human resources for Steris Corporation; Estay Greene, PharmD, pharmacy care manager for The Cleveland Clinic; Lisa Gish, executive director of Tri-State Business Group on Health; Chris Goff, president/CEO of Employers Health Purchasing Corp. of Ohio; Keith Holtz, vice president of human resource services for Blockbuster, Inc.; Frank Kopenski, ASA, MAAA, associate actuary for Milliman & Robertson; Danny Moriarty, director of cost containment for Peabody Energy; Jerrell Riley, CEBS, manager of health and welfare benefits design for Cingular Wireless; and Jack Simmons, assistant to the executive secretary/treasurer for Empire State Regional Council of Carpenters. PBMI Leadership Borden has more than 20 years of experience in providing healthcare consulting services to Fortune 500 employers, payers, and large public sector purchasers. He has served as an executive in the private insurance sector. Borden has held leadership positions in several leading global consulting firms, including serving as the National Practice Leader for Arthur Andersen's Health & Welfare Practice, and as a regional managing partner for Deloitte Consulting, based in Dallas, Texas. Watson has extensive experience in the pharmacy benefits arena, including management experience with several leading PBMs and consulting experience with Deloitte & Touche. He is a frequent contributor to leading trade journals, and is the author of AIS' best selling book titled, PBM Formulary Strategies and Their Impact on Payers. He has provided pharmacy consulting services to some of the largest employers and plan sponsors in the country. Felthouse managed marketing and product development for PBMI for five years and served as vice president before being named president. She has a depth of experience in management, marketing and business development for health care and service companies. Her work history includes positions of increasing responsibility at Bayer College of Medicine, PCS Health Systems, and The HSM Group, Ltd. ###
PBMI Drug Management Conference Highlights Medicare Part D Issues TEMPE, Ariz., January 11, 2006 – The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI) 2006 Prescription Drug Utilization Management Conference, to be held April 26-28, 2006 at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz., will include a Medicare Part D implementation update and a strategy session on employer retiree options. “In addition to providing cutting-edge strategies for managing employee drug benefit programs, our conference will help employers assess Medicare Part D experience to date and plan their 2007 strategies,” said Michael H. Deskin, PBMI president. Brenda Tranchida, deputy director of the Employer Policy & Operations Group for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and Dan Moriarty, director of cost containment for Peabody Energy, also will conduct an in-depth question-and-answer session on Medicare issues in addition to their presentations. Agenda Available On Line New, in-depth workshops on benefit design and drug mix management, and PBM contracting will be held on April 26. Sessions on April 27 and 28 feature experts presenting research findings, case studies, and ready-to-implement strategies to manage utilization and control drug costs. Topics and case studies include the value of compliance, e-prescribing, evidence-based formulary design, management of physician prescribing, in-house pharmacy, and emerging PBM transparency standards. Experts from many organizations will speak including Advanced Pharmacy Concepts, Allscripts, Aon Consulting, BlueCross BlueShield of Massachusetts, Caremark, Catalyst Rx, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CHD Meridian Healthcare, CIGNA Pharmacy Management, Eastman Chemical Company, First Health Services Corp., HR Policy Association Pharmaceutical Purchasing Coalition, MedImpact, Peabody Energy, Pharmaceutical Strategies Group, Premera Blue Cross, and the State of Oregon Public Employees' Benefit Board. For an agenda and registration discount, visit http://www.pbmi.com/Conference.ASP . Continuing Education PBMI offers continuing education credits for human resource professionals and pharmacists. The conference qualifies for recertification credit for the Certified Compensation Professional (CCP®), Certified Benefits Professional (CBPTM ) and Global Remuneration Professional (GRP®) designations granted by WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals. For more information on recertification, visit the Society Website at http://www.worldatworksociety.org/. The University of Arizona College of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmaceutical education. Participants attending all sessions will be awarded 14 contact hours of continuing education credit. Statements of credit will be mailed four weeks after the program. ACPE Program Number: 003-999-05-071-L04. Privately held, PBMI provides research-based education to help professionals design and manage pharmacy benefit programs. Sponsorships and exhibits are available. Visit PBMI at www.pbmi.com or call (480) 730-0814.
PBMI Drug Management Conference Features New Workshops TEMPE, Ariz., December 19, 2005 – The Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute (PBMI) 2006 Prescription Drug Utilization Management Conference will feature two new in-depth workshops for industry professionals responsible for drug benefit programs for employees, retirees, union groups, and health plans. The meeting will be held from April 26-28, 2006 at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz. “We are developing interactive workshops to discuss the critical issues of pharmacy benefit plan design, drug mix management, request-for-proposal methodologies, and PBM contracting,” said Michael H. Deskin, PBMI president. Nationally recognized faculty members will conduct the 90-minute workshops on Weds., April 26 to start the nation's premier conference dedicated to the prescription drug benefit. “These workshops have been developed in response to requests from convention attendees who are asking for detailed, technical information on critical drug benefit design and administration issues,” Deskin said. Agenda Available On Line Conference sessions on Thurs., April 27, and Fri., April 28, will feature experts presenting research findings, case studies, and ready-to-implement strategies to manage utilization and control drug costs. Topics and case studies include the value of compliance, electronic prescribing, evidence-based formulary design, management of physician prescribing patterns, in-house pharmacy, emerging PBM transparency standards, and Medicare Part D implementation. Industry experts from many organizations will speak at the PBMI Conference including Advanced Pharmacy Concepts, Aon Consulting, BlueCross BlueShield of Massachusetts, Caremark, Catalyst Rx, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CHD Meridian Healthcare, CIGNA Pharmacy Management, Eastman Chemical Company, First Health Services Corp., HR Policy Association Pharmaceutical Purchasing Coalition, MedImpact, Peabody Energy, Pharmaceutical Strategies Group, Premera Blue Cross, and the State of Oregon Public Employees' Benefit Board. In addition to the workshops and 15 professional sessions, PBMI's conference offers networking opportunities. For an agenda and registration discount, click here. The University of Arizona College of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmaceutical education. Participants attending all sessions will be awarded 14 contact hours of continuing education credit. Statements of credit will be mailed four weeks after the program. ACPE Program Number: 003-999-05-071-L04. CE hours for human resource and benefit professionals also will be available. Privately held, PBMI is an independent industry resource that provides research-based education to help industry professionals design and manage pharmacy benefit programs. Sponsorships and table-top exhibits are available. For more information, visit PBMI at www.pbmi.com or call (480) 730-0814. ###
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