In this age of one-click answers, next-day deliveries and drive thru pick-ups, people expect instant gratification. As a result, plan sponsors tend to want the broadest and largest pharmacy networks to maximize member convenience, but is a broad pharmacy network the best option for you and your members?
With so many pharmacy options available across the United States, narrowing the amount of pharmacies in a network won’t compromise access or convenience. To put it in perspective, we compared the number of pharmacy options available in the U.S. to two other commonly visited retail sites that consumers often seek to be conveniently located. The chart below shows how many more pharmacy options there are compared to these two frequented retail businesses. It also demonstrates how taking away just one major pharmacy chain, still offers approximately 40,000 more pharmacy locations than these popular retail sites.
After an analysis is conducted, it is often determined that the majority of pharmacies in a broad network are rarely utilized. By narrowing a network and excluding one or more pharmacy chain options, members will still have a number of pharmacies in close proximity to their home. Additionally, pharmacies are generally willing to provide deeper discounts if they are part of a narrow network of providers, therefore, both the member and the plan will experience a significant cost savings with a narrow network.
As an example, a 5K+ member health plan decided to switch from a broad network to a narrow network by eliminating three pharmacy chains from their network, Walgreens, Shoprite and Walmart. Following were the results:
| 5K+ Member Health Plan | Broad Network | Narrow Network |
| # of Pharmacies | 62,106 | 47,424 |
| Retail Access |
<1 mile - 39.6% |
<1 mile 34.8% <3 miles 72.2% <5 miles - 87.9% |
| Member Disruption* | N/A | 17.8% (974) |
| Total Savings | N/A | 9.6% ($844,544) $11.08 per Rx |
*Percent of members solely filling prescriptions at an excluded pharmacy
Savings for 30 and 90-day claims within a calendar year, excludes specialty drugs.
This case study shows narrow networks provide comparable numbers of pharmacies within a one to five mile radius, and offer valuable savings to the plan and members. That might be why more and more plan sponsors are switching to narrow networks. According to a report by the Drug Channels Institute, the percentage of large employers using narrow pharmacy networks has increased from 26% in 2013 to 48% in 2019.
In addition to narrow networks, there are other pharmacy network configurations that can increase savings and potentially improve member health outcomes without disruption:
EnvisionRx offers one of the industry’s largest pharmacy networks, as well as tailored narrow, preferred, performance and maintenance medication network options. We use a consultative approach to help clients choose the network option that’s best for them, reviewing client-specific pharmacy utilization trends, financial impact, geographic access and member experience.
To ensure a positive member experience, EnvisionRx has developed an implementation process that is tailored to each client, with a communication plan for member outreach. By keeping members informed, we have found minimal disruption. In fact, most members are accepting of new plans and encouraged by out-of-pocket savings opportunities.
For more information on what network option is best for you, email visiblydifferent@envisionrx.com or contact your account manager.