BERWYN, PA — AscellaHealth has been designated a preferred vendor by the Association for Community Affiliated Plans, expanding the specialty pharmacy company’s reach among nonprofit health plans as insurers seek new ways to manage rising specialty drug costs.
The designation gives ACAP’s member Safety Net Health Plans access to AscellaHealth’s pharmacy benefit management and specialty pharmacy services, with a focus on controlling spending, improving oversight and supporting patients with complex medical conditions.
The appointment comes as health plans face increasing financial pressure from high-cost specialty medications, including cell and gene therapies, while balancing demands for greater transparency and clinical oversight.
AscellaHealth expects the relationship to expand adoption of AscellaOne, the company’s pharmacy benefits administration platform. The technology is designed to allow health plans to build customized pharmacy benefit programs while integrating existing vendors and accessing purchasing power through a broader network.
“Every day, we help health plans and other payers gain greater visibility into pharmacy spend, strengthen specialty pharmacy oversight and implement practical strategies that improve financial and clinical performance,” Chairman and President Bill Oldham stated.
Oldham added that the platform is intended to give regional and community health plans purchasing leverage that has historically been available primarily to larger organizations, particularly for specialty drugs, infusion therapies, and cell and gene therapies.
Margaret A. Murray, chief executive officer of ACAP, characterized rising healthcare costs as a growing concern for Safety Net Health Plans and their members.
“ACAP continuously seeks out partnerships that help our plans improve access, boost quality and help to keep costs in check,” Murray stated. “We look forward to learning about AscellaHealth’s range of solutions for our plans to better administer pharmacy spend, drive more informed decision-making and improve efficiency.”
Founded in 2015, AscellaHealth provides specialty pharmacy and pharmacy benefit solutions to health plans, pharmacy benefit organizations, third-party administrators, employer groups and other healthcare organizations.
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