Host JC Scott speaks with Dan Judy, Analyst and Polling Expert at North Star Opinion Research, about his recent polls finding that benefits managers are overwhelmingly satisfied with results on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). Despite these positive results, JC and Dan discuss why PBMs still suffer from a “trust deficit” in the public eye.

High Satisfaction with PBMs: Overall, North Star’s polling results found that the vast majority of employers/benefit managers are satisfied with PBMs. Most benefits managers also agreed that their contracts with PBM are transparent and that PBM tools and programs (such as mail orders) are helpful to their employees.

Stabilizing Drug Costs: More than half of North Star’s surveyed benefits managers reported that drug costs remained stable over the past year. JC notes that stabilized drug prices improve consumer experiences and point to increased satisfaction with PBMSs.

Overcoming the Trust Deficit: Despite these positive polling results, JC and Dan discuss why there remains a perception that PBMs are non-transparent and increase drug costs. They offer that the combination of charged political discourse on drug pricing and “blame-shifting” within the healthcare industry have fostered continued public skepticism toward PBMs. 

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