50. Cracking the Code on PBMs: Real Cost-Saving Strategies for Employers with Guest Rachel Strauss
Update: 2025-05-01
Description
If you've ever felt confused or frankly, duped by your pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), this episode is your wake-up call. Chelsea Ryckis sits down with the “PBM Princess” herself, Rachel Strauss, a 20+ year industry veteran and fierce advocate for transparency, to pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood (and most expensive) parts of your health plan.
You’ll learn:
- The origin story of PBMs and how it all went sideways
- The real story behind rebates and why “pass-through” doesn’t always mean what you think
- How vertical integration and offshore contracts allow PBMs to hide profits in plain sight
- 40 ways PBMs make money (and how to spot the red flags in your contract)
- Actionable strategies like international sourcing, manufacturer assistance, and 340B pricing that can drastically reduce costs without impacting employee experience
Whether you’re a CFO, HR leader, or CEO, this episode is packed with no-BS insights to help you finally take control of your pharmacy spend. Plus, don’t miss Rachel’s exclusive giveaway: the top 10 questions to ask your broker if you're serious about cutting costs.
Connect with Rachel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmstrauss/
Connect with Chelsea and Donovan:
Website: www.ethoseffectpodcast.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethoseffectpodcast/
Chelsea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-ryckis
Donovan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donovanryckis/
You’ll learn:
- The origin story of PBMs and how it all went sideways
- The real story behind rebates and why “pass-through” doesn’t always mean what you think
- How vertical integration and offshore contracts allow PBMs to hide profits in plain sight
- 40 ways PBMs make money (and how to spot the red flags in your contract)
- Actionable strategies like international sourcing, manufacturer assistance, and 340B pricing that can drastically reduce costs without impacting employee experience
Whether you’re a CFO, HR leader, or CEO, this episode is packed with no-BS insights to help you finally take control of your pharmacy spend. Plus, don’t miss Rachel’s exclusive giveaway: the top 10 questions to ask your broker if you're serious about cutting costs.
Connect with Rachel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmstrauss/
Connect with Chelsea and Donovan:
Website: www.ethoseffectpodcast.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethoseffectpodcast/
Chelsea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-ryckis
Donovan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donovanryckis/
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