There is a newer wave of middlemen in the self-insured market: alternative funding programs. 

The for-profit vendors claim to help employers save money on expensive specialty medications by obtaining them for free or at a steep discount through alternative sources. While they may sound promising, some healthcare experts describe them as sneaky, harmful to patients and in a gray zone ethically and legally. 

Last week, Fierce Healthcare published an investigation into the business model and consequences of alternative funders. In this episode, Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya describes her reporting process and findings with Executive Editor Heather Landi.

To learn more about the topics in this episode:

A new wave of middlemen offers 'alternative funding' for specialty drugs. Patients bear the risks

As large employers back away from self-insurance, small- and medium-sized ones embrace it: EBRI

Out-of-pocket spending on prescriptions grew even after accounting for rebates: study

There is a newer wave of middlemen in the self-insured market: alternative funding programs.&nbsp;
The for-profit vendors claim to help employers save money on expensive specialty medications by obtaining them for free or at a steep discount through alternative sources. While they may sound promising, some healthcare experts describe them as sneaky, harmful to patients and in a gray zone ethically and legally.&nbsp;
Last week, Fierce Healthcare published an investigation into the business model and consequences of alternative funders. In this episode, Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya describes her reporting process and findings with Executive Editor Heather Landi.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:
<a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/new-wave-middlemen-promise-savings-specialty-drugs-patients-bear-risks">A new wave of middlemen offers 'alternative funding' for specialty drugs. Patients bear the risks</a>
<a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/large-employers-back-away-self-insurance-small-and-medium-sized-ones-embrace-it-ebri">As large employers back away from self-insurance, small- and medium-sized ones embrace it: EBRI</a>
<a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/finance/out-pocket-spending-prescriptions-grew-even-after-accounting-rebates-study">Out-of-pocket spending on prescriptions grew even after accounting for rebates: study</a>

Podnosis: the pulse of the healthcare industry. Every week, journalists from Fierce Healthcare dive into some of the industry’s biggest trends. We talk to the experts about what’s important now so you can prep for the future. Hear about all things healthcare, from physician practices to hospital chains and insurance giants—and those that mix all three—plus the tech they use, disruptors looking to compete and people moving the sector forward. Follow Podnosis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.

Podnosis: the pulse of the healthcare industry. Every week, journalists from Fierce Healthcare dive into some of the industry’s biggest trends. We talk to the experts about what’s important now so you can prep for the future. Hear about all things healthcare, from physician practices to hospital chains and insurance giants—and those that mix all three—plus the tech they use, disruptors looking to compete and people moving the sector forward. Follow Podnosis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.

Podnosis

Podnosis: the pulse of the healthcare industry. Every week, journalists from Fierce Healthcare dive into some of the industry’s biggest trends. We talk to the experts about what’s important now so you can prep for the future. Hear about all things healthcare, from physician practices to hospital chains and insurance giants—and those that mix all three—plus the tech they use, disruptors looking to compete and people moving the sector forward. Follow Podnosis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.