We know that the intentions of 340B policy are good, but we also know that this policy has changed the healthcare landscape significantly. Pro: hospital systems buying drugs at a discounted rate and providing greater access to important therapeutics to their patient populations. Con: the margin hospital systems get from 340B is too large, giving them a “bottom line” incentive which can be abused. Learners will understand how the 340B policy evolved to where it is today, and understand how the policy is benefitting patients and being abused by healthcare entities at the same time.

AI in healthcare offers significant advantages but also presents challenges. AI can enhance diagnostic accuracy, analyze patient data, and improve operational efficiency. Learners will understand the benefits of AI, but will be able to balance those benefits with concerns about privacy and bias and disparities.

Are biosimilars interchangeable with the original biologic? Why hasn’t there been more adoption of biosimilars to date? We go deeper into the controversy, and learners will understand the evolution of biosimilars, the hurdles for adoption, and the controversy regarding pricing and interchangeability.

Clinical pathways try to find a balance between standardization of treatment and individualized patient care. Providers refer to evidence-based medicine, while insurers refer to reduction of variability. Learners will find themselves right in the middle of this argument, and be able to form their own opinions about the right balance.

The healthcare-related controversy surrounding the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) primarily revolves around its impact on prescription drug pricing and innovation. The law allows Medicare to negotiate prices with manufacturers, but manufacturers contend that these price controls could discourage investment in new drug development. Learners will understand the near-term and long term ramifications that are springing up as a result of the IRA.

It is a tricky situation trying to improve access to lifesaving diagnostics and therapeutics, while balancing the financial needs of manufacturers. We provide a deep dive into the key obstacles preventing efficient market access in healthcare, including regulatory challenges, reimbursement complexities, and stakeholder misalignment. We equip learners with the insights needed to optimize access pathways and drive equitable healthcare delivery.

Medicare Advantage (MA) continues to grow in popularity, but it also presents concerns about cost, care quality, and access. Beneficiaries like the lower premiums and additional benefits compared to traditional Medicare, but introducing commercial insurers into the delivery process introduces new issues. Learners will benefit from understanding the structure of MA, the growth of MA, and the concerns that come with that growth.

Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are intermediaries in the prescription drug supply chain, negotiating prices between drug manufacturers, insurers, and pharmacies. The controversy surrounding PBMs largely stems from their role in drug pricing and rebates. The ongoing debate has led to regulatory scrutiny, including legal actions by the Federal Trade Commission against major PBMs. Learners will have a better understanding of the drug supply chain, and the reason we’re hearing so much from both sides about these intermediaries.

On the one hand, private equity investment in healthcare provides a much-needed capital investment to struggling healthcare facilities. On the other hand private equity prioritizes short-term financial gain, often leading to cuts to healthcare spending. Which one is it? Learners will be able to discuss the pros and cons of private equity investment in healthcare.

Prior authorizations may be the one thing that upsets a physician more than anything else, most likely because of the threat to their autonomy. On the other hand, the use of prior authorizations, which can be viewed as a tool to reign in physician prescribing, has been shown to reduce unnecessary spending. Learners will understand both sides of the argument after viewing this module.

Integration cuts both ways, depending on your viewpoint. The companies involved in vertical integration see greater access to healthcare and economies of scale, while those with a half empty perspective see higher healthcare premiums and fewer choices for patients. We explore both sides of vertical integration, and provide learners with an objective viewpoint so that they understand both sides of the argument.

It began as white bagging, and now has evolved to add Brown Bagging, Gold Bagging, and Clear Bagging. Regardless of which type of bagging it is, there appears to be a struggle for ownership of the supply chain. Is it better for a patient’s quality of care if therapeutics are supplied by the pharmacy, or directly from the physician’s practice? Learners will understand the impact on the supply chain and be able to form an opinion of this