Kansas & Missouri | Spring | 2010 | Health Plan Analysis

The early returns from a massive valued-based benefit design initiative in Kansas City have led to five new pilots nationwide. In concert with its PBM, CVS Caremark, the Kansas State Employee Health Plan will pilot a preferred specialty formulary benefit for rheumatoid arthritis and human growth hormone therapies to lower costs without sacrificing member safety. While carriers use similar strategies for mail-order pharmacy, more self-insured plan sponsors have leveraged mail-order incentives to lower their pharmacy expenditures.