Episode 16: Reimagining 340B Business Intelligence: A Conversation with Executive Leaders at PharmaForce

Episode 16: Reimagining 340B Business Intelligence: A Conversation with Executive Leaders at PharmaForce

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.

Episode 15: 340B Neutral Clearinghouse Pioneers: A Conversation with Executive Leaders at RxParadigm

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 [https://340breport.com/subscribe/]. Or contact us for a free 15-day trial to see why 340B Report is the indispensable source for 340B news and intelligence.

Episode 14: 340B Voices and Value: A Conversation with Nick Rebmann, Executive VP and Chief Growth Officer of Pillr Health

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.

Episode 13: Embracing the Nuances of 340B: A Conversation with Senior Leaders at Visante

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 [https://340breport.com/subscribe/]. Or contact us for a free 15-day trial [https://subscribers.340breport.com/checkout?plan=59319] to learn why 340B Report is the indispensable source for 340B news and intelligence.

Episode 12: Remembering the "Why" in 340B: A Conversation with Senior Leaders at Verity Solutions

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 [https://subscribers.340breport.com/checkout?plan=59319] to see why 340B Report is the indispensable source for 340B news and intelligence.