Achieving Cost Savings and Regulatory Compliance: A Case Study

A recent study found that many plan sponsors aren’t taking full advantage of all the pharmacy benefit management (PBM) tools that are available to them, including rebate management, drug utilization programs and formulary management tools, to name a few.

The study estimates that if plan sponsors actually used the full range of PBM tools available, they could save more than 30% on drug benefit costs, compared to organizations that opt out.1 In fact, it’s estimated that consistent PBM tool use could reduce prescription drug costs by $1 trillion over the next decade in the U.S.1

Find out how one health plan decided to take action, seek out a new PBM partner and maximize PBM tool use to successfully reach its goals.

Establishing Strategies for Success

Colorado Access, a nonprofit health plan with more than 500,000 members, wanted to rein in its pharmacy costs and ensure regulatory compliance for its Medicare line of business. After deciding to partner with Navitus as its PBM, the two worked to convert barriers to savings and compliance into opportunities. Navitus created a strategic plan to help Colorado Access to maximize PBM tools and reach its goals, which focused on a few key areas.

Improving Formulary Performance

A high-performance formulary was established, to strike a balance between offering access to high-quality, clinically effective medications and delivering the lowest net cost.

Managing Rebates Effectively

By combining creative rebate management with agile benefit design changes, Colorado Access was able to drastically reduce its drug costs.

Achieving Compliance

With the help of Navitus’ regulatory experience and in-house tracking system, quality assurance and reconciliation processes, Colorado Access realized substantial improvements in Medicare compliance, especially in Prescription Drug Event (PDE) reconciliation, which resulted in significant savings.

Achieving drug trend decreases and million-dollar SAVINGS

Through these efforts, Colorado Access achieved a negative drug trend in three of the first four years with Navitus, which was a dramatic improvement over the increasing drug trend it experienced with its previous PBM.

Want to see the results?

Download the full case study to find out how Colorado Access achieved a more than 50% decrease in drug trend in the first year!

Colorado Access wanted to rein in its pharmacy costs and ensure regulatory compliance for its Medicare line of business. After deciding to partner with Navitus as its PBM, the two worked to convert barriers to savings and compliance into opportunities.

Navitus created a strategic plan to help Colorado Access to maximize PBM tools and reach its goals.

Through these efforts, Colorado Access achieved a negative drug trend in three of the first four years with Navitus.

Download the FULL case study to learn more.

How did they do it?

With Navitus’ modern, alternative solution, ordinary PBM tools such as utilization management, fomulary and networks perform at a higher level to improve health more effectively and generate even more savings.

King, R. PBM industry report claims greater use of tools can generate $1T in savings over the next decade. Fierce Healthcare. https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payer/pbm-industry-report-claims-greater-use-tools-can-generate-1t-savings-over-next-decade. Published February 19, 2020. Accessed May 12, 2020.

Stay Informed and Connected

Receive expert insights, healthcare tips, and important updates on pharmacy benefits, drug recalls, and more—straight to your inbox.

Examining Trends that Drive Informed Decisions

Now Available: 8th Annual Drug Trend Report

See the latest results and access industry insights you need to navigate current trend drivers.

Related blogs

Navigating Healthcare and Improving Outcomes

Real-world Data Demonstrates Successful Transitions from Humira to Biosimilars

Real-world Data Demonstrates Successful Transitions from Humira to Biosimilars

Authors: Justin Arzt, PharmD; Agata Siwak, PharmD, MSBA; Marnie Wickizer, PharmD, AE-C, CDCES; Ryan Schmidt, PharmD; Robert Topp, RN, PhD; Matt Hustad, PharmD All authors are employees of Navitus Health Solutions. Abstract Adalimumab biosimilar adoption…

PBM 101: Why the Model Matters

PBM 101: Why the Model Matters

In the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are conduits of expertise, analytics and savings opportunities, poised to deliver exceptional health care while driving down costs. They coordinate between drug manufacturers,…

Associate Resource Group Spotlight: Green Team

Associate Resource Group Spotlight: Green Team

The Green Team believes that small changes lead to significant impact. Whether its reducing waste, conserving energy or implementing eco-friendly initiatives, they serve as an internal hub for expertise regarding environmental sustainability….

PBM 101: The Three PBM Business Models

PBM 101: The Three PBM Business Models

In the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are regarded by the media as intermediaries between drug manufacturers, pharmacies, health plans and plan sponsors. But they’re so much more than that. PBMs act as conduits…

An Automated Approach to Diagnosis Verification of GLP-1 RA for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)

An Automated Approach to Diagnosis Verification of GLP-1 RA for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)

This study examines the impact of implementing an automated point-of-sale diagnosis verification system for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) compared to traditional utilization management approaches….

Navitus to Remove Stelara® from Formulary July 1, 2025, Adds Biosimilars to Drive $120 Million in Savings 

Navitus to Remove Stelara® from Formulary July 1, 2025, Adds Biosimilars to Drive $120 Million in Savings 

As the nation’s first 100% transparent, pass-through PBM, we continue to advance medication affordability by prioritizing upfront, real-time savings over rebated models….

Achieving Outstanding Results with Tailored Network Strategies

Achieving Outstanding Results with Tailored Network Strategies

A medium-sized city in Michigan with 1,350 members was seeking ways to lower its pharmacy benefit costs, which were growing under its existing traditional pharmacy benefit manager (PBM). With its member covered by a two-tier, open formulary including…

Breaking Through Barriers with Value-Based Plan Design

Breaking Through Barriers with Value-Based Plan Design

Facing increased pharmacy benefit expenses, Blain’s Farm and Fleet, a Midwestern employer group, desired to improve plan performance. Specifically it was interested in educating eligible members about the benefits available to them, promoting cost-effective…

Finding a Solution to Lower Prescription Drug Costs

Finding a Solution to Lower Prescription Drug Costs

The Rural Arizona Group Health Trust (RAGHT) wanted to gain better control of its escalating drug trend with its large, traditional pharmacy benefit manager (PBM). Having only worked with traditional PBMs in the past, RAGHT was interested in exploring…

previous arrow
next arrow