In this episode of Blueprints for Better Benefits, Rodney Mattos breaks down what the latest FTC settlements involving major pharmacy benefit managers mean for employers, CFOs, HR leaders, and plan fiduciaries. If your pharmacy costs feel like a black box, this conversation explains why PBM transparency is becoming one of the most important issues in employee benefits strategy.
We unpack how PBM contracts, rebate structures, and spread pricing can quietly inflate pharmacy spend, and why regulators are pushing for greater oversight. More importantly, we show what these changes mean for employers evaluating a self-funded health plan, stronger vendor alignment, and better control over rising healthcare costs.
Rodney and the team walk through real-world examples of employers who improved visibility, negotiated better terms, and reduced pharmacy spend by demanding more accountability from their PBM arrangements. This episode is especially relevant for organizations that want to move from reactive renewals to a more intentional, data-informed health benefits strategy.
If you are asking whether your current plan gives you enough visibility into pharmacy costs, rebates, and contract terms, this episode will help you understand the opportunity in front of you.
In This Episode, We Cover
- What the FTC settlements reveal about PBM pricing practices
- How spread pricing and rebates affect employer pharmacy costs
- Why PBM transparency matters for CFOs, HR leaders, and business owners
- How a self-funded health plan can improve oversight and control
- What stronger PBM contracts and reporting should look like
- Real employer examples of reducing pharmacy spend through visibility and negotiation
- Why pharmacy benefit strategy now plays a bigger role in budgeting, retention, and benefits sustainability
Explore More
- Explore our insurance agency, Triforta: https://www.triforta.com/
- Learn more about our software for insurance agencies, Apeironix: https://apeironix.com
- Visit the full podcast website, The Rodney Mattos Show: https://rodneymattos.com/
Connect with Rodney
Email: rmattos@triforta.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodneymattos