Summer Postcards from the Edge of the PBM World
Vacation mode: activated. Strategic thinking: still on.
Even when you step away from the screen and slow down, the world has a way of whispering lessons—if you're listening. On a recent getaway, between good food and better sunsets, I couldn’t help but notice how everyday moments mirrored the very things we talk about in workers’ comp pharmacy management.
So instead of skipping this edition of P4P entirely, I’m sending you a few strategic postcards from the road. Each one is a bite-sized reminder of the traps to avoid—and the clarity that still wins.
🏖️ Postcard #1 – From the Beach: The Illusion of “All-Inclusive”
“Lying on a resort beach that promised ‘all-inclusive’—except for chairs, towels, drinks, and the air I breathe. Sound familiar? Legacy PBMs love this game. Always read the fine print.”
We’ve all been sold the dream. But when the real cost shows up on the bill, the promise fades. If your PBM says “all-in,” ask what they’re leaving out.
🏞️ Postcard #2 – From the Mountains: Path Dependency
“We saw hikers blindly follow each other up the wrong trail. Made me think of payers sticking with the ‘safe’ PBM path—only to find the view (and value) disappointing.”
Comfort is a poor substitute for strategy. Just because a path is worn doesn’t mean it leads somewhere worthwhile.
🍷 Postcard #3 – From Wine Country: Brand Loyalty Blindness
“Tourists dropping $200 on a wine just because of the label. Back home, payers do the same with PBMs. If the performance is average, the brand premium is just waste.”
A fancy label doesn’t make it a better vintage. In pharmacy benefit management, brand trust should be earned—not assumed.
🛍️ Postcard #4 – From the Markets: Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing
“Every booth claimed ‘authentic local goods’—until I saw the same barcode stickers from Amazon. Lesson: flashy doesn’t mean real. A reminder for evaluating vendors, too.”
There’s a growing trend of lookalike PBMs using transparency language while hiding legacy behaviors. Scrutinize what’s under the hood.
📸 Postcard #5 – From a Tour Bus: The Cost of Comfort
“Most tourists chose the bus tour. Easier, familiar, no thinking required. But they missed the best spots. Same with pharmacy networks—comfort is expensive. Custom beats cookie-cutter.”
Customization doesn’t mean complexity—it means better outcomes. Don’t pay for ease. Pay for value.
Back Soon. But Here’s What I’ll Leave You With.
Sometimes, distance brings clarity. Whether you’re rethinking your PBM, prepping for renewals, or just trying to make smarter decisions in a noisy market—don’t wait for perfect timing. Clarity compounds.
I'll be back with new P4P insights in two weeks. Until then, if anything here hits home, drop me a note or forward this to someone who’s still drinking the brand-label wine.
Better decisions start with better questions.
Let’s ask smarter ones—together.
—Del
About P4P
A Strategic Dose of Clarity in a Noisy PBM Market
Written by Prodigy CEO Del, P4P delivers sharp, consultative insights for decision-makers who are tired of legacy models, hidden costs, and passive vendors. Each piece is a prescription—cutting through the noise to reveal what actually drives performance in pharmacy benefit management.
No fluff. No spin. Just insight that pays off.
