In this episode of The PUTTcast, PUTT Executive Director Monique Whitney steps into the host chair alongside Vice President Lauren Young for a powerful conversation about patient access, PBM accountability, and the growing movement to take the fight directly to elected officials at the town hall level.

Key Takeaways

• How Express Scripts terminated Martella's Pharmacies from their network — across all six locations — citing credentialing issues, and why Jackie believes it was anything but routine
• Why Pennsylvania's Act 77, intended to protect pharmacies, may have had unintended consequences that accelerated network purges - and how other states have experienced the same unintended repercussions
• Our strategy for using election-season town halls to embarrass legislators into accountability — and why patient voices are the most powerful tool in the room

Special Guests:

• Jerry Shapiro RPh, PUTT Board Member, NCPA Foundation President, retired pharmacy owner
• Jackie Martella RPh & Bob McGowan Owners, Martella’s Pharmacies

Mark Your Calendar

PUTT is hosting a community town hall on June 23rd in Johnstown/Boswell, Pennsylvania to collect patient stories, document the impact of pharmacy access loss, and shine a light on what's happening in rural communities across the state. If you're in the area, come out and make your voice heard.

Resources & Links

• Find town halls near you: TownHallProject.com
• Pennsylvania pharmacy access campaign: PAMyPharmacyMyChoice.org
• Learn more about PUTT's work: TruthRx.org
• DataScan Pharmacy Software: DataScanPharmacy.com

Independent pharmacies face immense pressure from Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), often confronting the impossible choice of losing money on a prescription or turning a patient away. In this episode of The PUTTcast, host Lauren Young sits down with Kris Rhea from Pharmacy Marketplace to discuss a game-changing solution to this "pharmacy spiral." They dive deep into the world of MAC appeals and underwater claims, revealing how new software helps pharmacy owners fight back and reclaim rightfully owed revenue. Whether you’re navigating new state statutes or tracking the PBM divestiture bill in Tennessee, this episode offers actionable insights and a powerful tool to strengthen your pharmacy's financial health while fueling the momentum for nationwide PBM reform.

Music by cat_herding_diva | Production & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard

Key Takeaways

• The Reality of the "Pharmacy Spiral": Understand the impossible decisions pharmacy owners face when dealing with underwater claims and how it impacts patient care.
• Automating MAC Appeals: Learn how Pharmacy Marketplace's software identifies eligible claims, generates compliant invoices, and tracks the appeal timeline from start to finish.
• State-Level PBM Reform: Discover which states are leading the charge in enforcing underwater payment statutes and how organized data empowers agencies to audit non-compliant PBMs.
• Escalating Rejections: Find out exactly what to do when a PBM rejects your appeal and how to involve your state's Department of Insurance or Attorney General.
• Advocacy in Action: Hear the latest updates on the Tennessee PBM divestiture bill and learn why independent pharmacies must actively participate to drive legislative change.

Resources

• Pharmacy Marketplace: Learn more about the MAC appeal tool and watch the demo video at pharmacymarketplace.com
• Contact Kris Rhea: Reach out directly at Kris@pharmacymarketplace.com
• Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency (PUTT): Join the fight for PBM reform and access more advocacy resources at truthrx.org

In this month’s special episode of The PUTTcast, we’re gearing up for the highly anticipated PUTT Virtual Summit! Join host Lauren Young, PUTT Executive Director Monique Whitney, and special guest advocates Nikki Bryant and Rosemary C Smith as they explore the critical strategies independent pharmacies can use to amplify their voices and drive meaningful change. From building political connections to fostering trust within your community, listen in as they discuss how independent pharmacy owners can take charge of their advocacy efforts and make a lasting impact.

Special Guests: Nikki Bryant, PharmD - Georgia independent pharmacy owner & Pharmacy Advocate; Rosemary C Smith, RPh - co-founder Kentucky Independent Pharmacists Alliance

Music by cat_herding_diva | Production & Editing by Shannon Wightman-Girard