The PBM Princess: From Rebate Myths to Deception, How PBMs Hide True Rx Costs (Ep. 30)
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On this episode of The Benefit Whisperer, Ralph Weber interviews Rachel Strauss, the “PBM Princess,” to expose how pharmacy benefit managers manipulate contracts, rebates, and definitions to extract margin from employers. They break down contract landmines, phony transparency language, weak audit clauses, and the real story behind “100% pass-through.”
If you’re an employer, broker, or benefits leader struggling to contain pharmacy costs, this episode is your roadmap to fighting back.
00:00 Understanding Pharmacy Benefits and PBMs
01:17 Contract Landmines and Definitions
03:58 Rebates and Their Implications
06:24 Guarantees and Risk in PBM Contracts
09:56 Audit Rights and Transparency
15:37 The Illusion of Pass-Through Pricing
18:39 Prior Authorization and Cost Management
23:06 Navigating High Deductible Health Plans
26:46 The Need for Transparency in Healthcare Pricing
Guest:
Rachel Strauss • rachelmstrauss.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rachelmstrauss
Email: rachel@rachelmstrauss.com
Host:
Ralph Weber • ralph@thebenefitwhisperer.com
Phone: (832) 924-3330
Website: fixmybenefitsnow.com
Schedule a FREE consultation with Ralph: https://calendly.com/ralph-weber-routethree?utm_source=blubrry&utm_medium=emails&utm_campaign=ep30&utm_id=podcast