Employers believe that focused and more sophisticated interventions from vendors are the most effective, with the highest ratings coming from those focused on individuals with compliance issues and Value-Based Insurance Design, which enhances compliance by lowering out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions and may provide other means of support, such as disease management programs.

"Results of the survey are very consistent with broader trends we're seeing among large, self-insured employers," said Chuck Reynolds, Principal of The Benfield Group, the firm NPC engaged to complete the research. "Employers believe they've just about reached the limit on what they can do with tactical benefit controls to manage costs, and are focusing more and more on wellness, prevention and effective management of diseases and conditions."

The research included a web-based survey of 75 employers, supplemented by 13 in-depth interviews. The survey targeted employee benefit directors, medical directors and other health management professionals with health management and pharmacy benefit decision-making authority or influence in large, self-insured corporations.

SOURCE National Pharmaceutical Council