Episode 3: From Smalltown Pharmacy to National 340B Firm: A Conversation with Joel Wright and Abel Haile of VytlOne

In this episode of Inside 340B 360°, host Anna Mangum sits down with VytlOne President of Pharmacy Services Joel Wright and Senior Director of Health System Strategy and Commercial Analytics, Abel Haile. Joel and Abel reflect on their career journeys as a pharmacist and healthcare finance specialist, respectively, to their current leadership roles with VytlOne, which was founded by pharmacist and former Amarillo, Texas Mayor Jerry Hodge over a century ago as a community pharmacy, and has expanded to a comprehensive national pharmacy services firm with over 1,500 employees.

Key Topics Covered:

Pathways to Leadership in 340B

Abel and Joel describe their respective pathways into 340B from for-profit retail and specialty pharmacy, as well as stints in healthcare and pharmacy consulting. They reflect on the unique aspects of 340B as a provider of care for vulnerable patients, and as a “downstream” program within larger healthcare provider settings, requiring careful tracking and management of upstream operational and infrastructure developments.

Addressing Contract Pharmacy Restrictions

Joel outlines VytlOne’s compliance solutions and support for covered entities to ensure providers can maximize their savings given the growing number of manufacturer-imposed restrictions in contract pharmacy.

Building On-Site Pharmacies, PBMs

Joel and Abel tell us how their company supports clients in establishing on-site pharmacies as an effective strategy for improving the patient care experience and meeting financial sustainability objectives. They also describe the firm’s PBM solution.

Rebate Model Threats to Operations, Cashflow

Joel and Abel discuss the potential shift of 340B from a discount program to a rebate model and challenges this may pose to providers, and ultimately, patient care. This includes implications for provider cash flow, workflows and appropriate resolution of disputes over claims eligibility. They encourage covered entities to advocate to protect 340B.

Medicaid and Self-Audits

Abel discusses the possibility that states will require covered entities to perform self-audits of their 340B Medicaid billing requirements, like what has been instituted in California. He provides advice for entities to ensure overall compliance with their program.

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Episode 2: Of Missions and Mergers: A Conversation with Mickey Price, COO of Pillr Health

In this episode of Inside 340B 360°, host Anna Mangum sits down with Pillr Health COO Mickey Price. Mickey reflects on his journey as a pharmacist in retail and for-profit hospital pharmacy to 340B, and ultimately to his senior executive role with newly formed Pillr Health, a merger of RxStrategies, Hudson Headwaters 340B and RPh Innovations. Mickey discusses the distinctive merger underlying Pillr Health and the firm’s robust product portfolio, including the innovative solutions they offer to support specialty pharmacy.

Key Topics Covered:

From For-Profit to 340B Mission

Mickey describes his entry into 340B from for-profit retail and hospital pharmacy, and his shift to the non-profit space of 340B. He reflects on the compelling values that inspire organizations and professionals to focus their careers in the 340B area and their shared commitment to serving uninsured and underinsured patients.

Unique Merger

Mickey discusses the creation of Pillr Health through the merger of RxStrategies, Hudson Headwaters 340B and RPh Innovations, the extensive depth and breadth of each firm’s experience, and the technical, cultural and other synergies that drive their new venture.

Meeting Evolving Compliance Challenges

Mickey provides insights into how covered entities can respond to key developments in the 340B landscape, such as contract pharmacy restrictions and reporting requirements. He encourages covered entities to report how they are using their 340B savings to meet their safety net mission and to stay abreast of policy and other changes in the 340B space.

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Stay tuned for more episodes of 340B 360°, which will be posted monthly! Subscribe to 340B 360° on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on YouTube for video interviews.

Bonus: Listen to Inside 340B Report, our twice monthly podcast, to get a behind-the-scenes window into the latest 340B news and developments from the journalists at 340B Report.

Special Offer for New 340B Report Subscribers

First-time subscribers to 340B Report can use code PODCAST25 for 25% off. Or sign up for a free 15-day trial to see why 340B Report is the indispensable source for 340B news and intelligence.

In the premier episode of Inside 340B 360°, Verity Solutions CEO George Puckett sits down with host Anna Mangum to discuss his fascinating career that began with a stint in the national security area and evolved into developing solutions for 340B stakeholders. Drawing on his extensive career in health care technology, Puckett offers insights on how 340B providers can leverage Verity’s customized solutions to enhance compliance, increase efficiency, generate revenue and improve the patient experience.

Key Topics Covered:

Leadership and Entrepreneurship

George walks through the course he has charted in his four-decade career including his education in Europe and working in various parts of the United States. George and his Seattle-based Verity team have come up with solutions to a number of 340B challenges. George discusses these solutions and the importance of staying ahead of the curve.

George reflects on key policy and industry developments in the 340B landscape, such as contract pharmacy restrictions, and how providers can respond to uncertainty and complexity. He emphasizes listening to his customers, which can range from small health centers to large health systems. He also talks about adapting to change and staying focused on 340B’s purpose: helping covered entities stretch scare resources and expand access to care.

Compliance and Transparency Challenges

With continued scrutiny around 340B, transparency is an ongoing theme. George talks about the importance of enabling providers to demonstrate how they are using their 340B savings to provide patient care. He also provides a window into how Verity helps clients prepare for audits and meet evolving reporting requirements at both state and federal levels.

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Stay tuned for more episodes of 340B 360°, which will be posted monthly! 🎧 Subscribe to 340B 360° on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on YouTube.

Bonus: Listen to Inside 340B Report, our twice monthly podcast to get a behind-the-scenes window into the latest 340B news and developments from the journalists at 340B Report.

Special Offer for New 340B Report Subscribers

First-time subscribers to 340B Report can use code PODCAST25 for 25% off. Or sign up for a free 15-day trial to see why 340B Report is the indispensable source for 340B news and intelligence.

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