Changing your pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) for your self-funded plan is a major undertaking, but it doesn't have to be a source of stress. With the right partner and a clear plan, you can ensure a smooth transition that minimizes disruption for your members and delivers the best possible financial outcomes for your organization. In the first episode of our Full Disclosure series, we demystified the PBM transition experience with pharmacy experts, Alissa Johnson, Senior Director, Clinical Strategy at SmithRx, and Joy Gilbert, SVP, Customer Success at SmithRx, and broke down the core stages of implementing a new pharmacy benefits partner. Continue reading to get a complete rundown of the transition experience, as well as the things you should get from your PBM at each stage, below. This isn't a simple checklist; our experts walk through a complete roadmap to help you navigate the process with confidence, from the initial planning stages to going live and beyond.

Discover what the pillars of a modern PBM are and the effect they have on the pharmacy benefits experience.

It can be hard to determine what is real savings vs discount claims in the pharmacy industry. Learn about what to look for in PBM reporting here.

Explore PBM reform: its meaning, drivers, and how emerging transparent PBMs like SmithRx deliver better outcomes.

Legacy PBMs are still failing to evolve and offer effective, patient-first healthcare—leaving employers unsatisfied. Learn more here about legacy PBMs and the future of transparency.

Self-funded health plans offer cost savings and flexibility—but only if you have the right PBM partner. Learn how employers are thriving with SmithRx’s transparent, proactive model.

Explore barriers to biosimilar adoption, such as PBM practices, regulatory limitations, and provider and patient level friction and learn what employers can do to promote uptake.

Discover how vertical integration and pricing manipulation by PBMs are limiting biosimilar access—and what employers can do to ensure savings and transparency.

Same drug, same pharmacy—very different outcomes. See how legacy PBMs inflate costs through spread and rebate retention, and how SmithRx lowers them through transparency and true alignment.

On World MS Day, move beyond awareness. Learn how early MS diagnosis, employer support, and affordable treatments make a difference

FDA grants Otulfi (Stelara biosimilar) interchangeability. SmithRx details how this win boosts patient access, lowers drug costs & drives major client savings.

ERISA compliance includes understanding the fiduciary role & the key health plan obligations. Learn more about ERISA & the connection to pharmacy benefits here.