Better healthcare deals start with better information.
You don't have to accept the contract you were handed. You can assess it, compare it, identify the weak terms, and use your leverage to negotiate something better.
The process is straightforward.
Know where you stand. Identify what needs to change. Then negotiate from a stronger position.
Assess
Start with the contract you actually have. Score the terms, compare them against stronger agreements, and establish an objective baseline.
Identify the gaps
Find the provisions that limit transparency, economics, audit rights, data access, termination rights, and your ability to manage the relationship.
Negotiate
Turn the analysis into specific contract language. Push for better terms where the agreement falls short. Make the PBM respond to a clear standard.
Use your leverage
Employers control the money and choose the vendors. Better information makes that leverage easier to see and much harder to ignore.
“Pretty good” isn’t a standard.
Strong PBM contracts share common characteristics. The terms can be measured, compared, and improved.
Don’t sign anything scoring less than 90.
START WITH CONTRACT X-RAY See what good looks like →Contract X-Ray in action
From Red Flag to Gold in 20 Days
A regional pharmacy benefit manager rewrote its standard contract through four revisions, moving from a Fiduciary Alignment Score of 27 to 92.
First review
27
Final review
92
Every one of the ten contract provisions improved. Nine increased by at least 48 points. What began as a Red Flag template with an Ineligible Data Sovereignty designation finished at Excellent with Gold.
The biggest result wasn't just a higher score. The PBM strengthened its own standard contract, so future plan sponsors signing that template can start from better terms.
EXPLORE CONTRACT X-RAY →Anonymized PBM contract-review example. Scores assess contract language against Contract X-Ray's fiduciary-alignment standards.
Let's start with what you're trying to solve.
How good is our contract?
Start with an objective assessment of the agreement you already have.
SCORE YOUR CONTRACT →What does good look like?
Compare your agreement with stronger terms and see what a high-scoring contract actually contains.
SEE WHAT GOOD LOOKS LIKE →We have a specific problem.
Some problems go beyond the score. We can talk through your contract, your leverage, and what to do next.
TALK WITH STEVE →Then decide what to change.
Start with the contract. See what’s strong, what’s weak, and where you have leverage.