The article below details a new PSAO option for pharmacies, the ‘first’ PSAO for community-based specialty pharmacies from AmerisourceBergen named the Accelerate Specialty Network. Network members will include accredited health system specialty pharmacies, independent specialty pharmacies and medically integrated dispensing practices (hospitals and health systems??)
Will the Accelerate network fly?
Given the current fractional state of the specialty pharmacy channel, maybe. Why maybe? There is a lot of push on payers and PBMs to contract with hospitals and health systems that are launching owned and operated specialty pharmacies. Payers are not eager to further expand the contracting strength of their biggest contracting opponents. As such, wholesalers become a more ‘friendly’ entity with which to negotiate.
Do you know much about PSAOs?
PSAOs have been around for decades. Wholesalers recognized long ago that small pharmacies had little leverage to negotiate contracts, so they decided to contract on behalf of this group and bond with these customers for the long haul. The concept worked and has been a lifesaver for many a small pharmacy essentially offering immediate access to dozens of payer contracts.
The GAO published a comprehensive report on the status of PSAOs in the US back in 2013. While the numbers are outdated the analysis is still rock solid. If you want / need a deep dive refresher on PSAOs this is the place to go.
Click here to access the 2013 GAO Report on PSAOs.
AmerisourceBergen Launches Accelerate Specialty Network – Nation’s First Specialty-Focused Pharmacy Services Administration Organization
April 13, 2021 — CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today, global healthcare company AmerisourceBergen launched the Accelerate Specialty Network (Accelerate), the nation’s first specialty-focused Pharmacy Services Administration Organization (PSAO) that leverages AmerisourceBergen’s proven, data-driven PSAO strategy to enhance managed care access and optimize business performance for community-based specialty pharmacies. Accelerate members include accredited health system specialty pharmacies, independent specialty pharmacies and medically integrated dispensing practices.
“As specialty pharmaceutical development continues its upward trajectory, the need for higher-touch care coordination for patients will also rise. More and more, patients want to find that care on their own terms”
“As specialty pharmaceutical development continues its upward trajectory, the need for higher-touch care coordination for patients will also rise. More and more, patients want to find that care on their own terms,” said Willis Chandler, President of Health Systems & Specialty Services at AmerisourceBergen. “Over the years, payors have narrowed their networks to contain costs and outcomes, but that has dictated where patients can go to get their specialty medications. Accelerate was built to work with payors to help promote and enable accessible community-based pharmaceutical care.”
Accelerate offers its members solutions that aim to deliver beneficial payer contracts, allowing providers to reduce the time spent on administrative responsibilities and focus on what matters most: providing the best possible care to their patients.
Using data and insights, Accelerate works proactively to expand members’ access to specialty contracts through agreements with local, regional, and national commercial payers and pharmacy benefit managers.
In addition, members can review their pharmacy’s data in conjunction with the PSAO’s experts and find ways to optimize their business.
Accelerate exists to help members navigate the intricacies of managed care networks with professional services that improve operational efficiency for the pharmacy and business overall.
“At AmerisourceBergen and Accelerate, we believe in unlocking the value of specialty medications and community-based care at a national scale,” said Angela Ward, Senior Vice President of Specialty Services, AmerisourceBergen. “Through our diverse national network of high-performing health systems, independent specialty pharmacies, and medically integrated dispensing practices, we are working with payers to achieve national coverage and consolidated contracting. No one knows a patient like their provider; that’s why we have an uncompromising focus on enabling accessible care in the communities where patients live, with the providers they know.”
For more information on the Accelerate Specialty Network visit www.amerisourcebergen.com/accelerate.
