2024 Prediction from Greg Baker

We asked our readers and some members of our editorial advisory board to make predictions for 2024. Here's what Greg Baker said:

“In 2024, Optum Rx will follow suit with their own group purchasing organization (GPO) spinoff so they can take advantage of acquisition price models like CVS’ Averon and Express Scripts’
ClearNetwork. Several media outlets have compared these programs to the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, but unlike Cost Plus, which fully discloses what it pays for medications, none of these GPOs will take a similar stance on disclosure.

Transparent PBMs will continue to gain traction in the market as traditional PBMs continue to lead employers to higher-cost, opaque models. Employers are told each year that their drug discounts will get better and their rebates will improve and yet every year their overall costs continue to increase.

Plan sponsors pharmaceutical costs will increase in 2024 and profits associated with companies that own traditional PBMs will see profit increases across all of their affiliate organizations.”