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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