Podcasts about pharmacy benefit managers

“We've been able to show that even by 30 days of age, we can predict with some accuracy if a child is going to have a diagnosis of autism,” says Dr. Geraldine Dawson, sharing one of the recent advancements in early diagnosis being aided by artificial intelligence.  Dr. Dawson -- a leading scholar in the field and founding director of the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development – explains that an AI examination of a child's pattern of visits to medical specialists in its very early life is an objective diagnostic tool that can supplement the current subjective reports from parents which vary in reliability. Another objective diagnostic tool in development uses a smartphone app developed at Duke that takes video of babies watching images and applies AI-aided Computer Vision Analysis to measure for signs of autism. This enlightening Raise the Line conversation with host Lindsey Smith is loaded with the latest understandings about Autism Spectrum Disorder including advancements in early therapeutic interventions, the interplay of genetic and environmental factors, and the role of the mother's health and exposures during pregnancy. You'll learn as well about what Dawson sees as necessary societal shifts in how autism is perceived, the numerous factors contributing to a near tripling of diagnoses over the past two decades, and how early intervention and informed advocacy can make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless families.Mentioned in this episode:Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast

Segment 1: Hormone Imbalances May Be Causing Your Mental And Physical Issues Hormones regulate nearly every function in the body, yet their role in women's health is often overlooked in conventional medicine. Misdiagnosis of hormone imbalances can lead to physical and emotional suffering. Dr. Julie Taylor explains the proper tests and education that can help women find the root cause of many different symptoms, empowering them to better understand and manage their health. Segment 2: Are Pharmacy Benefit Managers To Blame For Your Massive Health Bills? Last week we discussed how PBMs operate within healthcare, including negotiating drug prices and operating clinical programs. And though PBMs are under increasing scrutiny from lawmakers and the FTC, experts argue that reform – not removal – is key to creating a more transparent and efficient system. Medical Notes: The Best Alcohol For Minimal Hangovers, The Impact Of Color Additives, And Is One Brand Of Water Healthier Than The Rest? Is your gut making you sick? Should you be drinking one type of water over all the others? Does vibrant food make us eat more? If you're sick of hangovers, we may have a solution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week we discussed how PBMs operate within healthcare, including negotiating drug prices and operating clinical programs. And though PBMs are under increasing scrutiny from lawmakers and the FTC, experts argue that reform – not removal – is key to creating a more transparent and efficient system. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/are-pharmacy-benefit-managers-to-blame-for-your-massive-health-bills Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You know those mystery charges at the pharmacy that make zero sense? Yeah, turns out, there's a whole shadowy system behind it and no, it's not your pharmacist's fault. This week on Knock Knock Hi, Kristin and I talk with Deborah Keaveny , president of Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency (PUTT), about the tangled web of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), why your copays never go down, and how independent pharmacies are basically being squeezed to death. We get into the secret contracts, gag clauses, clawbacks, and even why some pharmacists now run liquor stores and coffee shops just to keep the lights on. It's equal parts depressing, eye-opening, and—believe it or not—hopeful. There's real legislation happening, and maybe, just maybe, the tide is turning. Takeaways: Discover how PBMs started as simple payment processors… and morphed into billion-dollar healthcare gatekeepers. Learn why pharmacists sometimes lose money by filling your prescription—and how “clawback fees” make it worse. The shocking truth about mail-order pharmacies (hint: PBMs own them and pay themselves hundreds more per script). Why GoodRx isn't always good—and what lawsuits are revealing about patient data and price collusion. How new state and federal legislation might finally crack down on PBMs, save independent pharmacies, and protect patients. — Want more Deborah Keaveny Twitter/X: @TruthRx    Facebook: https://facebook.com/TruthRx Instagram: @putt_national Twitter/X: @keavenyrx    To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live  We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! knockknockhi@human-content.com Can't get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Also, be sure to check out the newsletter: https://glaucomflecken.com/glauc-to-me/ If you are interested in buying a book from one of our guests, check them all out here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.glaucomflecken If you want more information on models I use: Anatomy Warehouse provides for the best, crafting custom anatomical products, medical simulation kits and presentation models that create a lasting educational impact.  For more information go to Anatomy Warehouse DOT com. Link: https://anatomywarehouse.com/?aff=14 Plus for 15% off use code: Glaucomflecken15 -- A friendly reminder from the G's and Tarsus: If you want to learn more about Demodex Blepharitis, making an appointment with your eye doctor for an eyelid exam can help you know for sure. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.EyelidCheck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information.  Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Human Content Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pharmacy Benefit Managers, or PBMs, play a powerful but often invisible role in U.S. healthcare. While they're often blamed for rising drug costs, recent research suggests the real culprit may be drug manufacturers and patent protections. Our experts explain how PBMs have evolved from simple claims processors into complex organizations that work behind the scenes for insurance companies, pharmacies, and employers. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/pbms-the-invisible-influence-behind-modern-healthcare Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Seeing that you can get through the most difficult times in life, succeed, and then also return to your community and work in service to your community was a lesson that has stuck with me,” says Dr. Uche Blackstock, the Founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity and our guest on this inspiring episode of Raise the Line with Osmosis from Elsevier. It was a lesson the Harvard-trained physician learned from her own mother – also a Harvard trained physician – who overcame poverty, sexism and racial bias to forge an inspiring path.  In her bestselling book, Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine, Dr. Blackstock weaves her mother's remarkable story with her own and argues for systemic change in a healthcare system riddled with racially-biased practices and policies that impact patient outcomes. As she explains to host Lindsey Smith, Advancing Health Equity's work to drive measurable and sustainable change is focused on embedding equity as a core value in the leadership, strategy, and organizational practice of health systems. “We exist to challenge inequities, empower underrepresented communities, and help build a healthcare system where everyone can thrive.” Don't miss a thought-provoking conversation with a nationally respected voice that also addresses race correction factors that impact the care of Black patients, and the work required of health institutions to build trust in effected communities.Mentioned in this episode:Advancing Health EquityLegacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast

“Pandemics are a political choice. We will not be able to prevent every disease outbreak or epidemic but we can prevent an epidemic from becoming a pandemic,” says Dr. Joanne Liu, the former International President of Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders and a professor in the School of Population and Global Health at McGill University. You are in for a lot of that sort of frank and clear-eyed analysis in this episode of Raise the Line from Dr. Liu, whose perspective is rooted in decades of experience providing medical care on the frontlines of major humanitarian and health crises across the globe, as well as wrangling with world leaders to produce more effective responses to those crises and to stop attacks on medical facilities and aid workers in conflict zones. Firsthand accounts from the bedside to the halls of power are captured in her new book Ebola, Bombs and Migrants, which focuses on the most significant issues during her tenure leading MSF from 2013-2019.  The book also contains insights about the geopolitical realities that hamper this work, including lax enforcement of international humanitarian law, and a focus on national security that erodes global solidarity. Join host Lindsey Smith as she interviews this leading voice on our preparedness to meet the needs of those impacted by violent conflict, forced migration, natural disasters, disease outbreaks and other grave challenges. If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast

00:00 Show open/ Antonio Ciaccia, a leading expert on Pharmacy Benefit Managers. 9:58 Tadd Nicholson - Executive Director of the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association with an update on Ohio's farms. 20:58 Dr. Sandra Faeh - President of the American Veterinary Medical Association on summer pet safety. 27:48 Face the State: Ohio Governor Mike DeWine on state lawmakers' attempts to override his vetoes of state budget measures. Ohio Republican Rep. David Thomas (65th District) on property taxes. A court ruling that the Trump administration cannot end temporary protected status for Haitian immigrants in Springfield in early September.

“As parents dedicated to getting a treatment for our children in their lifetimes, we have turned the rare disease drug development landscape upside down and created a new model,” says Nicole Johnson, co-founder and executive director of the FOXG1 Research Foundation.  That's not an exaggeration, as the foundation is on track to make history as it begins patient clinical trials on a gene replacement therapy next year. The former TV news producer and media executive unexpectedly entered the world of patient advocacy and drug research after her daughter, Josie, was born with FOXG1, a genetic disorder which causes severe seizures and impedes normal movement, speech, and sleep among other problems. Johnson is also making an impact in another important dimension of the rare disease space in her efforts to educate parents, teachers, and students about disability inclusion through her Joyfully Josie book series and “Live Joyfully” education programs. Tune-in to this fascinating Year of the Zebra conversation with host Lindsey Smith to find out how the foundation is aiming to bring a drug to market in less than half the time and at a fraction of the cost than the industry standard, and how this model might impact research on other rare disorders. Mentioned in this episode:FOXG1 Research FoundationJoyfully Josie Book If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast

Today on Raise the Line, we bring you the unlikely and inspiring story of a woman who was afraid of blood as a child but became an accomplished nurse; who struggled with learning disabilities but became an effective educator; and who, despite lacking business experience or knowledge of graphics, built a successful company that produces visually rich educational materials for nurses and other providers. “I think the theme of my life has been I have struggled with learning, and I didn't want other people to struggle,” says Jennifer Zahourek, RN, the founder and CEO of RekMed which has developed a sequential, interactive learning system that includes illustrated planners, books, and videos used by millions of students and providers. The initial focus was to provide nurses with everything they needed to know from “the basics to the bedside” but RekMed now offers content for medics, respiratory therapists, medical assistants, and veterinarians as well. Driven by her belief in the power of visual learning and her “just freakin' do it” attitude, Jennifer overcame her fear of launching a business and quickly realized just how well nursing had prepared her for the hard work and unpredictability of entrepreneurship. “Nursing teaches you how to just be resilient, to pivot, to delegate, to work on a team and to handle high stress. I think nurses could literally be some of the best entrepreneurs on the planet,” she tells host Lindsey Smith. Tune in to this lively and valuable conversation as Jennifer shares lessons from bootstrapping a publishing company, insights on the evolving landscape of healthcare education, and advice on embracing change in nursing, especially with the expanding role of AI. Mentioned in this episode:RekMed If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast

“Very often, doctors try to suppress what they feel or don't even have the vocabulary to describe their emotions,” says Professor Alicja Galazka of the University of Silesia, an observation based on decades of work with physicians to enhance their emotional intelligence and resilience. Galazka, a psychotherapist, psychologist, lecturer and coach, believes this deficit is rooted in part in a lack of instruction in the internal and external psychological dimensions of being a medical provider. “There is not enough space created in medical school for teaching and training students about how to deal with their own stress and all of the skills connected to building relationships with patients,” she tells host Michael Carrese. Those same skills are also critical to working effectively as a member of a care team, which is an increasingly common arrangement in hospitals and clinics. Galazka employs simulations, dramatic role-playing, mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and other methods in her work with an eye on increasing the emotional agility and sensitivity of her trainees and clients. Tune in to this thoughtful episode of Raise the Line to hear Galazka's ideas on how to reshape medical training, why she is a proponent of narrative medicine, and the merits of embedding psychologists on care teams as a resource for both patients and providers. Mentioned in this episode:University of SilesiaInternational Association of Coaching Institutes If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast

00000197-cb5d-d0b8-aff7-db5d0ec20000https://www.wvik.org/podcast/good-morning-from-wvik-news/2025-07-02/illinois-gov-pritzker-signs-legislation-to-regulate-pharmacy-benefit-managersJoseph LeahyIllinois Gov. Pritzker signs legislation to regulate pharmacy benefit mana

"Older adults have this special clarity about who they are and what they want, which is incredibly inspiring," says Dr. Julia Hiner, explaining, in part, why she loves her work as a geriatrician in Houston, Texas. She also enjoys the challenge of the medical complexity these patients present and the opportunity it creates to see the patient as a whole person. In fact, as you'll hear in this upbeat conversation with Raise the Line host Lindsey Smith, there's almost nothing about geriatrics that Dr. Hiner does not enjoy, which explains her passion for teaching the subject at McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston and trying to convince more students to pursue it as their specialty.  The need is great, given that there are only 8,000 geriatricians in the US despite a rapidly growing senior population. Tune in to learn why Dr. Hiner thinks clinicians avoid the field and the steps that can be taken to improve the situation, including requiring courses in geriatrics. You'll also learn about the importance of capacity assessments, the troubling, and under-reported, problem of elder mistreatment, ageism among health professionals and much more in this super informative episode. Mentioned in this episode:University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston McGovern Medical School  If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast

We pick our conversation about pharmacy benefit managers back up and take a look at them on the national level. Are they helping consumers or driving prices up. Rena Conti, Associate Professor in the Questrom School of Business at Boston University, joins us.

* Diving deep into how pharmacy benefit managers work and affect patients * Recapping the first round of the draft for the Pelicans

* Picking up our conversation about pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) * We check in with Eric Smith from Tulane's Institute of Energy about what the conflict between Israel and Iran could mean for oil and gas prices.

* How will the Tigers respond when the game resumes? * A local pharmacist explains how PBMs work and the effect they're having * What was up with that weird Soil and Water Conservation District election? * How is the Israel/Iran conflict likely to affect oil and gas prices? * LSU really needs to beat UCLA to avoid a brutal schedule * This state senator helped make grooming a crime

"It was pretty apparent to me that something was going on with him," says Kristi Levine, describing the realization that, based on her experience as a Montessori teacher, her infant son, Trey, was missing developmental milestones. Unfortunately, Kristi's hunch turned out to be correct and Trey was later diagnosed with a rare genetic mutation called CACNA1A which is impacting his motor skills, balance, coordination and speech. Kristi and her husband, Eric, join host Michael Carrese on this installment in our Year of the Zebraseries to help us understand the disorder and its implications for Trey and their family, which includes Trey's older sister Stella.  “There's a lot of guilt involved in being a parent of a child who has a disability because you never feel like you're doing enough,” shares Eric, even though they both work full time and have becoming experts at juggling work, caregiving, advocating, and volunteering with the CACNA1A Foundation. In this candid interview, Eric and Kristi discuss the challenges of parenting a child with complex medical needs, the importance of community support, the ongoing search for treatment options, and share some advice for clinicians caring for patients and families living with rare disorders. “We just want medical professionals to respect and understand what we're dealing with on a day-to-day basis and to see our kids holistically, and not just try to fix the problem medically. Understand that for us, the biggest thing that we want for our kids is just their quality of life.”Mentioned in this episode:CACNA1A Foundation If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast

Pharmacy benefit managers are in the news in Louisiana. What are they, and how do they impact healthcare costs? Tommy talks with Walter "Dub" Lane, Associate Professor of Economics & Finance at UNO

We take a look inside the fight over prescription drugs and pharmacies going on in the legislature. Tyler Bridges, staff writer for The Times Picayune | New Orleans Advocate, joins us.

Local pharmacy owners go after Pharmacy Benefit Managers that are monopolizing the industry, forcing a number of local pharmacies to close full 1732 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:00:00 +0000 UVECtFeQXIVOArw1E5moU6xiaio5Hl2X news,western new york,wben,pharmacies,pharmacy benefit managers WBEN Extras news,western new york,wben,pharmacies,pharmacy benefit managers Local pharmacy owners go after Pharmacy Benefit Managers that are monopolizing the industry, forcing a number of local pharmacies to close Archive of various reports and news events 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. News

Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are groups that process 250 million prescriptions every day. Local pharmacy owner Don Arthur says they contributed to the closure of Rite Aid. Arthur tells us what's being done to combat these middle men.

In this episode, we deliver a critical update on the rapidly evolving legislative landscape impacting rheumatology. We explore the intense policy battles shaping the future of the field, including steep Medicare reimbursement cuts threatening the survival of many practices. We also examine the ongoing challenges posed by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and the growing uncertainty around research funding. Joining us is a special guest, Lennie Shewmaker McDaniel, JD, who brings a firsthand perspective from Capitol Hill, shedding light on what it truly takes to advocate for our patients and the profession in today's complex policy environment. 

Dr. Sterling Elliott, clinical pharmacist at Northwestern Medicine and assistant professor of orthopedics at Feinberg School of Medicine, joins Lisa Dent to discuss the changes to pharmacy benefit managers, their effect on prescription drug prices, Health and Human Services changing addiction drug availability, and more. And as always, Dr. Elliott answers questions from listeners.

We have a special guest on today's episode whose voice will be familiar to regular listeners. Last year at this time, Dr. Raven Baxter occupied the Raise the Line host chair for a special ten-part series we produced in collaboration with the Cohen Center for Recovery from Complex Chronic Illness (CoRe) at Mount Sinai in New York City, where she serves as the Director of Science Communication. The series explored the latest understandings of post-acute infection syndromes -- such as Chronic Lyme and Long COVID -- with an array of experts from the Center and other researchers and providers. In this episode, we check-in with Dr. Baxter to get an update on the work of the Cohen Center, especially with regard to its mission to educate providers. “We're building programs so that clinicians can earn credit for learning about chronic illnesses that are infection associated, and we've also developed a 200-page provider manual. I really think that we will be able to shift the narrative that currently exists,” Dr. Baxter tells host Michael Carrese. That narrative includes lingering skepticism among providers of some infection-associated illnesses, which Dr. Baxter witnessed herself as a Long COVID patient, an experience that has added meaningful perspective to her work. Dr. Baxter is also working on her own time to advance knowledge and combat misinformation through a robust social media presence as “The Science Maven” and helps other scientists and clinicians to do the same. "If we're not there to fill in that void, other people will fill it for us and the narrative may not be consistent with the truth or facts." This is a great opportunity to learn about the art and science of communications that can reach clinicians and patients alike.Mentioned in this episode:Cohen Center for Recovery from Complex Chronic IllnessThe Science Maven If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast

Analyzing Trump's plan to roll back soaring drug prices for Americans; Sports bras eliminate bounce but may take a toll on women's backs; RFK Jr. targets the chemicals in our food; Do Americans really eat more animal protein than any other of the world's nations? Causes and treatments for pulmonary hypertension.

On this episode of “Raise the Line” we welcome Dr. Sheldon Fields, a trailblazer in the nursing field and the president of the National Black Nurses Association. In a candid conversation, Dr. Fields shares his inspiring journey from the bedside to becoming a prominent figure in nursing, HIV/AIDS prevention and academia and also shares the challenges he faced as a Black man in a predominantly white and female field. "I fell in love with a profession that has not always loved me back," he tells host Kelsey Lafayette. Dr. Fields brings over thirty years of experience as an educator, researcher, clinician, administrator, consultant, health policy specialist, and entrepreneur to his current role at NBNA, and as the inaugural associate dean for equity and inclusion at the College of Nursing at Penn State University, where he also serves as a research professor. Listeners will find Dr. Fields' insights on navigating a career in healthcare particularly valuable, as he stresses the importance of resilience, continuing education, and mentorship. It's a compelling listen for anyone interested in the intersection of health, policy, and social justice.Mentioned in this episode:National Black Nurses Association If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast

Wednesday's second hour

God's Debris: The Complete Works, Amazon https://tinyurl.com/GodsDebrisCompleteWorksFind my "extra" content on Locals: https://ScottAdams.Locals.comContent:Politics, Pope's MAGA Brother, Macron Cocaine Controversy, Trump EO Pharmaceutical Prices, PBM, Pharmacy Benefit Managers, Mark Cuban, Trump Cost Reductions List, President Trump, Medicaid Restrictions, Apple iPhone Price Increase, Habeas Corpus, Ilhan Omar, James Carville, Jack Smith's Lead Prosecutor, Trump Approval Polls, Tesla Robotaxi, Trump Family Middle East Projects, Air Force One, SCOTUS Birthright Citizenship, India Pakistan Ceasefire, Putin Zelensky Meeting, Scott Adams~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If you would like to enjoy this same content plus bonus content from Scott Adams, including micro-lessons on lots of useful topics to build your talent stack, please see scottadams.locals.com for full access to that secret treasure.

In this episode of Good Morning Liberty, hosts Nate Thurston and Charles 'Chuck' Carhartt Thompson discuss a range of hot topics starting with Trump's alleged new trade deal with China. They delve into the details, criticizing the lack of real concessions and Trump's claims of a 'total reset' in tariffs. The duo also talks about Trump's new executive order on reducing prescription drug costs, exploring the implications of a 'Most Favored Nation' policy and potential pitfalls including medication shortages and economic ramifications. Alongside these big-ticket items, the episode also touches on various weekend updates including a $400 million plane gift to the Department of Defense, a discussion on habeas corpus, ICE activities, and more. Join Nate and Chuck as they provide their unique Libertarian perspective on current events. (03:50) China Trade Deal Analysis (09:28) Trump's Executive Order on Prescription Drugs (25:16) Adjustments for Unhealthy America (25:37) Government's Role in Drug Pricing (27:04) Global Price Disparities (29:35) Pharmacy Benefit Managers and Market Inefficiencies (30:48) Direct-to-Consumer Sales and Mark Cuban's Initiative (31:52) Generic vs. Name Brand Medications (32:57) Trump's Most Favored Nation Policy (38:57) Potential Consequences of Price Controls (43:26) Free Market Solutions and Government Regulation (46:48) Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Links:   https://gml.bio.link/   YOUTUBE:   https://bit.ly/3UwsRiv   RUMBLE:   https://rumble.com/c/GML   Check out Martens Minute!   https://martensminute.podbean.com/   Follow Josh Martens on X:   https://twitter.com/joshmartens13   Join the private discord & chat during the show!   joingml.com   Bank on Yourself bankonyourself.com/gml   Get FACTOR Today! FACTORMEALS.com/factorpodcast     Good Morning Liberty is sponsored by BetterHelp! Rediscover your curiosity today by visiting Betterhelp.com/GML (Get 10% off your first month)     Protect your privacy and unlock the full potential of your streaming services with ExpressVPN. Get 3 more months absolutely FREE by using our link EXPRESSVPN.com/GML  

Gina Alsdorf has more than 15 years of experience in employee benefits, working on complex issues involving ERISA, employee benefit plans, and related laws. Her past clients include trustees, plan committees, plan sponsors, consultants, registered investment advisors, broker-dealers, banks, insurance companies, third-party administrators, and recordkeepers for retirement plans and individual retirement accounts. Gina received her JD, cum laude from University of Georgia Law School and was awarded an LLM in Employee Benefits with honors, from the University of Illinois, Chicago Law School.In this episode, Eric and Gina Alsdorf discuss:Evaluating PBM contracts with expert oversightPrioritizing transparency in pricing modelsAlign PBM incentives with participant outcomes, if possibleInvest in education and oversight for long-term successKey Takeaways:Engage legal and consulting professionals to analyze contract terms, ensuring alignment with fiduciary responsibilities and plan objectives.Understand the financial structure of PBM arrangements, favoring models that clearly show how costs and profits are distributed.Select partners and structures that place plan participant benefit above corporate profit, especially in vertically integrated PBM organizations.Encourage continuous learning and mentorship among benefit managers to adapt to a complex and evolving pharmacy benefits landscape.“ERISA does not give you the duty to go for the cheapest price. You're supposed to get the best service for the money for your people.” - Gina AlsdorfConnect with Gina Alsdorf:Website: https://www.carltonfields.com/team/a/gina-alsdorf LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-alsdorf/ Connect with Eric Dyson: Website: https://90northllc.com/Phone: 940-248-4800Email: contact@90northllc.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/401kguy/ The information and content of this podcast is general in nature and is provided solely for educational and informational purposes. It is believed to be accurate and reliable as of the posting date, but may be subject to change.It is not intended to provide a specific recommendation for any type of product or service discussed in this presentation or to provide any warranties, investment advice, financial advice, tax, plan design, or legal advice (unless otherwise specifically indicated). Please consult your own independent advisor as to any investment, tax, or legal statements made.The specific facts and circumstances of all qualified plans can vary, and the information contained in this podcast may or may not apply to your individual circumstances or to your plan or client plan-specific circumstances.

We're honored to continue our global tour of medical education today with Professor Katarzyna Taran, MD, PhD, a pioneering interdisciplinary researcher of tumor cell biology, an award winning educator noted for her focus on student engagement, and -- in a first for a Raise the Line guest -- a shooting sports certified coach and referee. As Professor Taran explains to host Michael Carrese, these seemingly disparate professional activities require the same underlying attributes: patience, the ability to overcome barriers, openness and adaptation. She believes those last qualities are especially important for today's medical students to acquire given the accelerated pace of change in healthcare. “They need to be equipped with the ability for critical thinking, to analyze and synthesize, and to search for unconventional solutions.” Professor Taran tries to impart these skills, in addition to the medical and scientific knowledge students must know, through a high level of engagement. “Teaching is relational, so try to be familiar with students' concerns. Talk to them, listen to them and you will become someone they trust.” In this wide-ranging and engaging conversation, Professor Taran also discusses her work as the head of the Laboratory of Isotopic Fractionation in Pathological Processes in Chair of Oncology, the use of neurodidactics in teaching, and the connection between the science of pathology and the future of humans in space. Mentioned in this episode:Medical University of Lodz If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast

How One Leader Came Out of Retirement to Transform Home Healthcare Jasper Freeman, Director of National Accounts at SC Pharmaceuticals, didn't just return to medical sales—he came back with a mission to change it. In this episode, Jasper shares how he helped launch Ferosix, a revolutionary heart failure treatment designed to keep patients out of the hospital and improve care at home. But that's just the beginning. We dive into: The untold story of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and their massive influence over drug pricing and access Why the insurance-sales-patient triangle is the key battleground in healthcare innovation What the U.S. can learn from other countries about lowering costs and improving care Bold reform ideas—from slashing med school tuition to rethinking drug distribution This is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the business of healthcare, guided by someone who's lived it at the highest levels. If you're in medical sales—or trying to break in—this episode is a masterclass on what's next and how to lead the change. Connect with Jasper: LinkedIn Connect with Me: LinkedIn Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Here's How » Want to connect with past guests and access exclusive Q&As? Join our EYS Skool Community today!

The American healthcare system is complex, but two of the most urgent cost drivers offer places to start exploring possible reforms: prescription drug pricing and how providers are paid. In this episode, we examine the conflicting incentives at the heart of the U.S. healthcare system between insurers, providers, pharmaceutical companies, and patients. These competing priorities shape everything from access to care to drug affordability. Through conversations with healthcare experts, we unpack the role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and compare fee-for-service and capitated payment models. PBM diagram referred to in the podcast: https://www.healthcarehuddle.com/p/drug-supply-chain. Healthcare policy articles by ScriptsPro CEO and journalist Ken Perez: https://www.hfma.org/author/ken-perez/.

We like to think of Osmosis from Elsevier as a global community of millions of learners, connected by a desire to serve humanity and an inclination to use a diverse mix of educational resources to help them become excellent healthcare practitioners. On today's episode of Raise the Line, we're going to learn how Osmosis has created an opportunity for hundreds of those students from sixty countries to actually solidify those connections through the Osmosis Health Leadership Initiative (OHLI). Our guide to this effort is Osmosis Community Specialist Alfred Collins, who brings a keen interest in developing tech solutions to power the future of human communication to his work with OHLI.“Technology collapses barriers to communication and to understanding the nuances behind culture, behind global perspectives,” he tells host Lindsey Smith. One example he cites is how OHLI members learn about variations in the way different cultures approach collaboration, an important insight to gain as they head into team-based healthcare environments. OHLI members convene regularly over video sessions to hear from leaders in healthcare and learn about hosting successful on-campus events, among other enriching content.  They also have an opportunity to provide feedback on improving the Osmosis learning platform, and this year they're participating in a “hackathon” aimed at improving the future of healthcare. Tune in to find out more about what the OHLI program offers, how to apply, and how Alfred thinks virtual reality and AI technologies will impact the future of community building. Mentioned in this episode:Osmosis Health Leadership Initiative If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast

David Game remembers the days when the use of digital technology in education publishing amounted to putting a dictionary on a compact disc. Now, as the senior vice president of Product Management, Global Medical Education at Elsevier, he oversees a suite of learning materials that use artificial intelligence, virtual reality and 3-D modeling. “We've expanded into immersive technology with Apple Vision Pro that enables you to be inside the human body, to see and explore the human heart from the inside out and it is absolutely stunning,” says Game, whose long career in publishing includes experience in North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, China and India. As Game has witnessed first-hand, advancements in ed tech, including distance learning, have provided students with an array of options and modalities to choose from that accommodate different learning styles and life circumstances, and that puts a premium on being able to meet students where they are. “We want to make sure that students find learning from our materials engaging, efficient, and aligned with how they live their lives and do their work.” Join host Lindsey Smith for this fascinating episode of Raise the Line to learn how Elsevier is leveraging the innovations offered by Osmosis, Complete Anatomy and ClinicalKey Student to enrich the learning of medical students on their journey to becoming excellent clinicians.Mentioned in this Episode:Complete AnatomyClinicalKey StudentOsmosis If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast

An interesting new study from the Geisinger health system in Pennsylvania examining if genomic screening in a large population increases the identification of disease risk prompted Raise the Line to re-release a previous episode about a textbook designed to help all medical providers understand the clinical applications of genomic testing. Genomics in the Clinic: A Practical Guide to Genetic Testing, Evaluation, and Counseling from Elsevier Science Direct dives into the use of this important tool in diagnosis and screening, indicating how individuals may respond to drug therapies, and more. “We really need to educate all healthcare providers about the practice of genetics because they're going to be involved directly or indirectly in genetic testing and conveying information about what the results mean to patients and their families,” explains co-author Dr. Ethylin Wang Jabs, enterprise chair of the Department of Clinical Genomics for Mayo Clinic. Jabs and her co-author, Dr. Antonie Kline, director of Clinical Genetics at the Harvey Institute for Human Genetics at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, chose a format that makes heavy use of case studies to help readers get a better grasp on this complicated field and they also include chapters on direct-to-consumer testing and the ethical and social implications in genomic medicine. “Any kind of potentially predictive testing can have ethical issues related to it, including insurance coverage, testing for family members, protections for minors, and more,” says Dr. Kline. Join host Caleb Furnas for an illuminating episode on an area of discussion in medicine that's growing in importance as the use of genetic testing rapidly increases. Mentioned in this episode: Genomics in the Clinic: A Practical Guide If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast

Pharmacists from across Mississippi are calling for stronger regulations on the intermediaries between insurance providers and pharmacies.Then, some Mississippians join in a national boycott targeting major retailers over ending DEI initiatives.Plus, Mississippi has the highest rate of heart disease in the nation, it's worse in rural communities. What needs to change ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To mark International Rare Disease Day, we're going to introduce you to a remarkable young woman, Zainab Alani, who is not letting her challenging rare condition stand in the way of her dream of becoming a physician. After noticing Zainab's struggles with muscle weakness and fatigue at age 15, her mother – a physician – took her to doctors advocating for a diagnosis of the rare autoimmune condition generalized myasthenia gravis (MG). Unfortunately, a series of clinicians attributed her symptoms to her menstrual cycle and other errant causes and even accused Zainab of being ‘a lazy teenager.' “Despite having that support and knowledge behind me, these doctors were dismissing my symptoms because of that deceiving label of rare,” Zainab explains to host Lindsey Smith. Wanting to spare others from this frustrating diagnostic odyssey, Zainab turned to advocacy once in medical school and is working with her sister and others through the organization Rare Aware Glasgow to raise awareness among the general public about rare conditions and to spur the medical community to adjust its perspective. “We don't expect medical professionals to know every single rare disease, we just want them to acknowledge their existence and not dismiss them when a family member or a patient brings them up as a differential diagnosis.” In this inspiring episode in our Year of the Zebra podcast series you'll also learn about intersectionality creating burdens in medical diagnosis and a questionable basis for patients being denied access to new treatments.Mentioned in this episode:Rare Aware GlasgowThe Myasthenia Medic If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast

AlabamaSen. Britt praises Trump for his directive to make IVF more affordableAL House committee decides to delay vote on ADVA restructuring bill in order to provide more transparency2 bills in State senate deal with Pharmacy Benefit Managers and PharmaciesHanceville police department in utter chaos after charges from Cullman DAJefferson county teacher was arrested in sting operation in Blount CountyNationalTrump rags on Ukraine's President as "dictator who won't hold elections"Trump signs EO to stop federal funds/benefits from going to illegal aliensWH advisor Stephen Miller schools CNN once again on what DOGE is doingDHS and border czar Homan are closing in on leakers to recent ICE raidsTX federal judge officially strikes down Biden's rewrite of Title IX on genderDOGE finds that a grant of $2B involves Stacy Abrams non profit Part 3 of JD Vance speaking in Munich about restoring free speech

Having the ability to manage uncertainty is helpful in all professions, but perhaps especially so in medicine where uncertainty abounds and the stakes for managing it are high. Despite that, medical students receive little training in this area, something which our guest today, Dr. Jenny Moffett of RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Dublin, is working to change. “There are approaches to uncertainty that can be learned. We can change our perspective and perceptions around uncertainty, stepping away from always viewing it as something aversive, but perhaps maybe looking at it with a little bit more curiosity and openness, and that's definitely a transformation that faculty can make,” says Dr. Moffett, the program director of the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Professions Education. In addition to a perspective shift, Moffett also believes providers should develop skills to talk about uncertainty with patients in an open and honest way. “Clinicians can say, I'm on this journey with you. I don't have all of the answers, but we have paths, we have options, and I'll be there with you as we work them out.” Join host Caleb Furnas as he explores Dr. Moffett's fascinating work in this area which includes development of an immersive puzzle game that encourages students to address complex, ambiguous, and unpredictable issues.Mentioned in this episode:RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast

We were lucky enough to have Jon Jordan, an independent pharmacist join us to explain how Pharmacy Benefit Managers are screwing you and making themselves rich. Might be more information than you want to take in but it's super compelling.  

The Role of Clinicians in Addressing Climate Change: Dr. Catharina Giudice, Climate and Human Health Fellow, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health “The healthcare system is in this interesting intersection when it comes to its roles and responsibilities as it pertains to climate change,” says our Raise the Line guest Dr. Catharina Giudice, a research fellow in climate and human health at Harvard University.  As she explains to host Hillary Acer, the medical industry is a major producer of the greenhouse gasses that are contributing to serious health impacts on patients, especially those who are already vulnerable due to pre-existing conditions and economic struggles. Giudice, whose academic work focuses on healthcare sector climate preparedness, believes this paradox requires a response from clinicians. “There's so many small things that you can do as an individual clinician to make a difference in the climate change intersection.” Options include working to change hospital practices, educating peers and patients on the health impacts of climate change, and advocacy in the public policy arena. In this thought-provoking installment in our NextGen Journeys series, you'll also learn how the healthcare delivery system is being affected by climate change, and about a new concentration in climate change and planetary health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Mentioned in this episode:Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthHarvard University Center for the EnvironmentPractice Greenhealth If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast

We continue our NextGen Journeys series today featuring fresh perspectives on education, medicine, and the future of health care with an impressive medical student who was brought to our attention by a previous podcast guest, Dr. Michael Foti, whom we'd like to thank for the recommendation. Nikolas Bletnitsky is in his third year at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Middletown, but that's just one element in his medical education. Over the last several years, Nick has done extensive work in the field of OB-GYN -- completing clinical electives in Paris, France and Bologna, Italy, in addition to the Mayo Clinic -- where he has pursued his intense interest in a variety of subspecialties, including maternal fetal medicine. “Right now I'm doing a lot because I'm young and I have the energy and I want to see a lot to give me different perspectives on things so that I can incorporate them into my own practice,” he tells host Michael Carrese. Join us for a wide-ranging conversation in which you'll learn about current practice in OB-GYN in the US and Europe, neonatal palliative care and advances in fetal surgery, along with what Nick has learned about having crucial conversations with the parents of patients when tough news needs to be discussed.Mentioned in this episode: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, If you like this podcast, please share it on your social channels. You can also subscribe to the series and check out all of our episodes at www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast

MS symptoms can worsen, and relapses can occur. And when that happens, how do you know whether you require immediate medical care? When is it time to go to the hospital? Dr. Kalina Sanders joins me to talk about when it's time to seek immediate medical care for MS. Dr. Sanders is a board-certified neurologist who specializes in multiple sclerosis and spasticity management at Baptist Health in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. We're also talking about MS care in the United Arab Emirates with Professor Bassem Yamout, the President of the Middle East North Africa Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis. We'll explain why Bayer's new MRI contrast agent is good news for people with MS. We'll tell you about a new Federal Trade Commission report that calls out Pharmacy Benefit Managers for inflating the price of generic specialty drugs by thousands of percent. We'll share the details of a study that shows the profound impact of menopause on MS. And we're sharing two different opportunities for you to participate in MS research. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! A word about Facebook posts  :22 This Week: Worsening symptoms? Relapse? When is it time to go to the Emergency Room?  1:46 FTC reports Pharmacy Benefit Managers have marked up generic specialty drugs 1000s of percent  2:20 Bayer's new MRI contrast agent contains 60% less gadolinium  4:57 Professor Bassem Yamout discusses MS in the United Arab Emirates  6:48 Study reveals menopause significantly increases the speed of disability worsening and brain cell damage in women with MS  15:08 Two opportunities for you to participate in MS research  17:38 Dr. Kalina Sanders explains when it's time to seek immediate medical care for MS     19:54 Share this episode  31:42 Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app?  32:02 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/386 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.com Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com RealTalk MS on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RealTalkMS Federal Trade Commission Interim Report on Pharmacy Benefit Managers and Specialty Generic Drugs https://www.ftc.gov/reports/specialty-generic-drugs-growing-profit-center-vertically-integrated-pharmacy-benefit-managers Bayer Announces MRI Contrast Agent Gadoquatrane Meets Primary and Main Secondary Endpoints in Pivotal Phase III Studies https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250109869429/en/Bayers-investigational-MRI-contrast-agent-gadoquatrane-meets-primary-and-main-secondary-endpoints-in-pivotal-Phase-III-studies STUDY: Association of Menopause with Functional Outcomes and Disease Biomarkers in Women with Multiple Sclerosis https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000210228 PARTICIPATE IN MS RESEARCH: Psychometric Properties of Sexual Difficulties Scales in People Living with Multiple Sclerosis https://qualtrics.kcl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_br1fVoYGqXnLooK PARTICIPATE IN MS RESEARCH: Efficacy and Safety Study of Frexalimab in Adults with Nonrelapsing Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosishttps://www.sanofistudies.com/SR0A/ Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Deviceshttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk Give RealTalk MS a rating and review http://www.realtalkms.com/review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 386 Guests: Professor Bassem Yamout, Dr. Kalina Sanders Privacy Policy

Abdul and Katelyn talk about a promising bipartisan bill that could disrupt Pharmacy Benefit Managers, a miracle drug that prevents HIV--at a serious cost, and new data that show that US obesity rates may have fallen for the first time in more than a decade. Then they talk about RFK Jr's chances of being confirmed to lead HHS after news broke last week that his attorney asked the FDA to repeal approval of the polio vaccine back in 2022. Then Abdul sits down with Dr. Umair Shah, Washington State's Secretary of Health, about the role of state health departments over the next four years. We will be back with more episodes in 2025. We wish you all a restful holiday season!  This show would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. America Dissected invites you to check them out. This episode was brought to you by: Marguerite Casey Foundation: Sign up now to get your free Boston Review issue delivered to your door at CaseyGrants.org/State. Calm: Calm is offering an exclusive offer of 40% off a Calm Premium Subscription at calm.com/DISSECT. Lumen: If you want to stay on track with your health this holiday season, head to http://lumen.me/AD for 15% off your purchase. Reclaimed: This podcast takes you back to the very beginning when the Navajo reservation was first created. And it reveals the history of oppression and exclusion that led the Navajo to this point — and why their future is still uncertain. You can listen to “Reclaimed” wherever you get podcasts.

New proposed legislation would make it illegal for one company to own both a pharmacy and a pharmacy-benefit management company. A PBM helps health insurers manage their prescription drug benefits and negotiates prices and rebates; CVS has both pharmacies and a benefit management division, as does Cigna and UnitedHealth. But some federal lawmakers see a conflict of interest. Also: the eco-friendliness of small SUVs and the future of Nasdaq board diversity rules.

New proposed legislation would make it illegal for one company to own both a pharmacy and a pharmacy-benefit management company. A PBM helps health insurers manage their prescription drug benefits and negotiates prices and rebates; CVS has both pharmacies and a benefit management division, as does Cigna and UnitedHealth. But some federal lawmakers see a conflict of interest. Also: the eco-friendliness of small SUVs and the future of Nasdaq board diversity rules.

A group of obscure yet powerful players in the prescription drug industry are under the microscope. On Tuesday, at a Senate hearing in D.C., the head of pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk blamed the health insurance industry and pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, for allegedly making products like the weight loss drug Ozempic way more expensive in the U.S. than it is in other countries. A few days before that, the Federal Trade Commission sued three of the country's largest PBMs for allegedly using unfair tactics to artificially inflate the price of insulin. So what exactly are PBMs and how do they work? In an episode that aired two years ago, we explain how the answer involves secret deals and double agents. Related episodes: Who can and cannot get weight loss drugs (Apple / Spotify) New drugs. Cheaper drugs. Why not both? (Apple / Spotify) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy