MBGH Connections
Volume 5, Issue 3
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In this Issue:
Pharmacy Benefits Academy: August 24-25
MBGH Workshop: Health Benefits Communications: September 13
PPO Buyers Group Under Development for 2013
PBM Change for Pharmacy Benefits Buyers Group
Community Initiative for Employers to Take Control of Their Health
Project to Assist Employers with Biologics/Specialty Pharmacy
Employer Learning Collaborative with a Value-Based Approach
New Members:
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Baxter Health Care Corporation
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Lilly
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Benecard PBF
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Mayo Clinic Health Solutions
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InHouse Physicians
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Mercer
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Upcoming Learning Network Programs
Pharmacy Benefits Academy: The Art of Pharmacy Benefits
August 24-25, 2011, Rosemont, IL
Register today for the 5th annual PBA! This event provides human resource/health benefit professionals and managed care executives a total perspective on how to effectively manage pharmacy benefits by providing information on the latest trends and issues in the pharmacy benefits field, including value-based benefit designs, transparency and industry ethical issues.
Click here for the agenda
PBA Conference information (including cost and registration info) - not longer available.
MBGH Workshop: Health Benefits Communications
September 13, 2011, Chicago, IL
Registration is now open for our next Learning Network program, Health Benefits Communications: Best Practices to Inform, Educate and Engage. This workshop will share employer best practices and offer expert advise from consultants, health plans and other organizations who are key to supporting employers in their communication efforts.
Midwest Health Purchasers Foundation Update (MHPF)
PPO Buyers Group
A PPO Buyers Group is currently under development for
2013 to help employers leverage the influence of
multiple purchasers and share the cost of identifying, evaluating and
negotiating with PPO vendors. Participation in the group enables employers to reduce fees for ASO
administration, condition management and ancillary services provided by
health plans. The group will also have the advantage of influencing the
quality of delivery systems providing care to covered populations.
For additional information or to participate in this group, contact Larry Boress.
Pharmacy Benefits Buyers Group
Earlier this year, Walgreens Health Initiatives was purchased by CatalystRx. This change has made Catalyst Rx the new MHPF preferred Pharmacy Benefits Manager. CatalystRx is now one of the nation's largest PBM's. For employers interested in exploring a new PBM or comparing their current PBM rates, the MHPF agreement with CatalystRx offers MBGH members a fully-transparent, pass-through contract, with early rebate payments and guaranteed rates.
For a savings estimate or more information, contact Larry Boress
Learn more about PBBG
Learn more about MHPF
MBGH Health Benefits Research and Community Initiatives Update
Provided below are updates to current health benefits research and community initiatives. We will continue to highlight progress of all our initiatives in upcoming newsletters. If you have questions regarding any of these projects, please contact Margaret Rehayem, Director of Member Initiatives.
Take Control of Your Health
Since 2010, this successful community and media collaborative
has been conducted in partnership with CBS 2 and a variety of Chicago area partners such as Advocate Health Care, Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. This collaborative consists of TV vignettes and targeted community outreach focusing on providing employers a wealth of information they can use in worksite health promotion activities related to smoking cessation, COPD, cancer screening, diabetes and medication compliance. It also serves as a credible resource of information on key health topics for employees and their families. To view the website, click here.
Biologics/Specialty Pharmacy Project
This project supports employer efforts in better understanding biologics/specialty pharmacy to help them more effectively manage their at-risk populations and support their contracting efforts with health plans and vendors. Project components include a national employer benchmarking survey, an employer toolkit on best practices in specialty medication contracting, patient management and communications, and the development of national educational programs.
Results of the national employer survey will be launched at this year's Pharmacy Benefits Academy on August 24 - 25.
Midwest Health Strategy Project
This initiative is part of a national learning collaborative, called the American Health Strategies Project. MBGH, one of five coalitions chosen from across the country to participate in this project, has brought together 12 of its employer members to analyze their health data and examine current internal systems in order to develop effective evidence-based interventions with a value-based benefit design approach that will affect their
benefits in 2012 and 2013. Over 78,500 lives are represented in this project.
Upcoming MBGH Educational Programs
August 24-25, 2011: 5th Annual Pharmacy Benefits Academy
September 13, 2011: Health Benefits Communications - Best Practices to Inform, Educate and Engage
November 2011: Trends in Consumerism, Engagement and Navigating Health Care
December 2011: HIE-HIT - Health Information Exchanges and Technology
Click for full calendar
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