Break away from PBMs by offering services that patients love to grow non-PBM revenue.
Let’s face it—PBM reimbursements are a nightmare. From unpredictable clawbacks to razor-thin margins, relying on PBMs alone is no way to run a profitable pharmacy. The good news? You don’t have to. Non-PBM revenue is the golden ticket to sustainable growth, and the best way to tap into it is by offering services that patients actually value and are willing to pay for.
If you’re ready to boost your profits and break free from the PBM stranglehold, here are the most-loved services to add to your pharmacy’s roster.
1. Point-of-Care Testing
Point-of-care testing (POCT) isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a game-changer. Patients love the convenience of getting quick, accurate results without having to visit a doctor’s office. As a mom of 4 kids, I LOVE going to my pharmacy for testing.
Popular Tests to Offer:
- Flu
- Strep throat testing
- RSV
- These 3 are the most popular overall. In some areas, COVID is still a hot seller, and there are many, many options for POCT testing.
Why Patients Love It:
- Saves time, energy, and often money. I know my urgent care copay is often more than the testing at the pharmacy.
- Offers an immediate answer. In an Amazon world, no one likes to wait for anything.
Best Practice: Bundle testing with follow-up consultations or supplement recommendations to increase revenue per visit. You don’t have to be able to “treat” all on your own to do POCT. While that is certainly helpful, it is not a necessary component.
2. Worker’s Comp Rx
In the past several years, many pharmacies have turned away work comp patients due to the terrible reimbursements when adjudicating through the normal PBM channels. However, with StreamCare, those worries go away.
Reasons to go with StreamCare:
- Get started in 1 day!
- Collect the maximum fee allowed by your state.
- Streamcare is only compensated when you are. They fight hard to get you paid.
Reasons patients love it:
- Zero impact on your patients, they still pay $0
- Allows for quick filling of prescriptions.
3. 503b Dispensing
503b dispensing can help your pharmacy grow by offering sterile compounded products WITHOUT being a sterile compounder. This is the best cash-based revenue strategy out there.
Why It’s Great for Your Pharmacy:
- Practically zero start-up costs – Order as little as 1 vial, no need to invest in inventory
- Massive Discounts with PBU Membership
- Products solve unique problems that don’t have an easy commercial solution
Why Patients Will Love It:
- Medications Just For Them – They will get tailored medication to help them reach their goals
- Higher Safety Standards – 503B pharmacies must follow cGMP
503B Dispensing is a program that every pharmacy should be participating in.
With a PBU membership, you get a massive discount on 503B products. The discount even pays for the cost of the membership itself. Sign up here for that awesome discount as well as better help your pharmacy and patients: https://membership.diversifyrx.com/
4. Functional Medicine Consultations
Patients are increasingly seeking personalized, root-cause-focused care—and functional medicine delivers just that.
Services to Offer:
- Hormone imbalance consultations
- Gut health programs
- Nutritional deficiency testing
Why Patients Love It:
- Provides a holistic approach to their health.
- Helps them feel empowered to make lifestyle changes.
5. Compounding Services
Compounding isn’t just for niche needs anymore. Patients value personalized medications tailored to their unique health requirements.
Common Compounds to Offer:
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- Pediatric formulations
- Dermatology compounds (e.g., acne treatments)
- Pain management creams
Why Patients Love It:
- Solves problems they can’t address with mass-produced medications.
- Makes medication more accessible (e.g., liquid formulations for kids).
6. Weight Management Programs
Weight management isn’t just about vanity; it’s about improving overall health. Patients are willing to pay for guidance that gets results.
Program Features:
- One-on-one consultations
- Meal planning and supplement recommendations
- Body composition analysis
Why Patients Love It:
- Provides personalized, actionable advice.
- Focuses on long-term health rather than quick fixes.
7. Health and Wellness Products
Retail sales are an often-overlooked source of non-PBM revenue. Stocking high-margin health and wellness products can significantly boost your profits.
What to Stock:
- Better Sleep
- More Energy
- Look Better
How to Sell It:
- Create eye-catching displays near the checkout counter.
- Educate your team to make personalized recommendations.
- Shelf talkers to explain who it is for
8. Travel Health Consultations
Travel health is an underserved niche that independent pharmacies can excel in.
What to Include:
- Destination-specific vaccine recommendations
- Advice on avoiding travel-related illnesses
- Pre-packaged travel health kits
Why Patients Love It:
- Saves them time and effort.
- Provides peace of mind before traveling.
Best Practice: Offer these consultations as a bundled package with travel vaccines and first-aid supplies.
9. Chronic Disease Management Programs
Helping patients manage chronic conditions is both impactful and profitable. Medicare continues to see value in these programs and increases its scope and revenue potential year after year. Regular people are also willing to pay cash. Cash-based CGM (continuous glucose monitoring) programs have become very popular, for example.
Services to Offer:
- Diabetes education and monitoring
- Hypertension management
- Asthma control programs
- RPM/CCM for your Medicare Patients (we recommend ValueCare Suite)
Why Patients Love It:
- Offers consistent, personalized support.
- Helps them stay on track with their health goals.
10. Subscription Services
Subscription models are a fantastic way to build recurring revenue while improving patient adherence.
Subscription Ideas:
- Medication delivery and synchronization
- Monthly supplement boxes
- Wellness program memberships
Why Patients Love It:
- Adds convenience to their lives.
- Helps them stay consistent with their health routines.
How to Get Started
Adding non-PBM services doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here’s how to ease into it:
- Start Small: Pick one or two services to launch first. Build them out fully before adding more.
- Train Your Team: Ensure your staff is confident in explaining and promoting new services.
- Market Aggressively: Use social media, email, and in-store signage to spread the word.
- Track Success: Monitor revenue, patient feedback, and participation rates to fine-tune your offerings.
Final Thoughts
Non-PBM revenue is the key to financial freedom for independent pharmacies. By offering services that your patients love, you’ll boost your profits and strengthen your reputation as a trusted healthcare provider.
What help in getting started and ensuring your programs are successful? That’s exactly what we do inside Pharmacy Badass University. Check out your membership options HERE.
