The PBM Princess: From Rebate Myths to Deception, How PBMs Hide True Rx Costs (Ep. 30)

On this episode of The Benefit Whisperer, Ralph Weber interviews Rachel Strauss, the “PBM Princess,” to expose how pharmacy benefit managers manipulate contracts, rebates, and definitions to extract margin from employers. They break down contract landmines, phony transparency language, weak audit clauses, and the real story behind “100% pass-through.”

If you’re an employer, broker, or benefits leader struggling to contain pharmacy costs, this episode is your roadmap to fighting back.

00:00 Understanding Pharmacy Benefits and PBMs

01:17 Contract Landmines and Definitions

03:58 Rebates and Their Implications

06:24 Guarantees and Risk in PBM Contracts

09:56 Audit Rights and Transparency

15:37 The Illusion of Pass-Through Pricing

18:39 Prior Authorization and Cost Management

23:06 Navigating High Deductible Health Plans

26:46 The Need for Transparency in Healthcare Pricing

Guest:
Rachel Strauss • rachelmstrauss.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rachelmstrauss
Email: [e-mail]

Host:
Ralph Weber • [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]
Website: fixmybenefitsnow.com

Schedule a FREE consultation with Ralph: https://calendly.com/ralph-weber-routethree?utm_source=blubrry&utm_medium=emails&utm_campaign=ep30&utm_id=podcast