The Expansion of Pharmaceutical Hub Services in 2019

Some medications require added support in order to be successful, and because of that, healthcare providers, pharmacists, payers, and pharmaceutical manufacturers are seeking innovative ways to provide better service. Because some of the newer drugs on the market have more complex routes of administration, hub service providers have emerged to help streamline the process.

The hub service provider is the single point of contact between manufacturers and the patients that are using their therapies. By providing more comprehensive services, the goal of the hub service provider is to positively affect the patient journey. They ensure the most efficient distribution of medication and improved patient compliance.

There is a number of factors that contribute to the growth of hub services providers in the United States and worldwide. Let’s explore some of the circumstances that are propelling hub services into the forefront of the pharmaceutical industry.

The transition to a patient-centric approach.

Healthcare has shifted to a patient-centered approach with a focus on individual health outcomes, improved satisfaction scores, cost reduction, and patient education. This focus on patient empowerment has resulted in the creation of hub services companies in the first place. This trend will continue in 2019, with a large emphasis specifically on assisting prescribers in helping their patients with complicated facets of their treatment.

There is value in gathered patient data.

Patient services hubs are chock full of patient data, because they simultaneously interact with and gather important information from patients, providers, and payers. Some hubs are investing in the tools that would help pharma partners harness the data located within their HIPAA compliant hub.

The need to close the gaps in patient experience.

Multiple studies have shown the connection between a focus on patient experience and higher levels of clinical outcomes. However, it can be hard for specialty pharmacies or pharmaceutical manufacturers to monitor the full patient experience when it involves manufacturer, provider, patient, and payer. Hub service providers allow pharmaceutical manufacturers to see the full picture of patient journey, and better provide for their patients.

Simplifying complicated prior authorization (PA) paperwork.

PA paperwork is one of the top burdens for providers, and hub services helps patients get through the difficult prior authorization process. Simplifying this pain point can help streamline the patient journey as a whole.

Hub services can contribute to higher rates of adherence.

Drug manufacturers want to build deeper relationships with patients in order to increase adherence rates and improve outcomes, especially with more complex treatments. If patients are nurtured throughout the process of their treatment, they will achieve better understanding of their own patient journey and in turn, outcomes will be more positive.

Specialty Lite and Hub Lite options make it available to most pharmaceutical treatment plans.

Even though hub services were designed for complex treatment protocols, a “lite” model of hub services can be utilized to offer these services on a smaller scale. Lower-cost or retail-pharmacy drugs may be interested in lite versions of the hub service model to accomplish their own unique set of goals.

The science and method of patient engagement is as important to outcomes as the technology behind hub services itself. Using BehavioralRx, a proprietary emerging science, GoMo Health personalizes engagement by leveraging proven cognitive and psychological techniques to stimulate in-the-moment actions.