4: Perfect repricing partner

The RBP vendor landscape is witnessing a veritable bloom, with new players sprouting up at a remarkable pace. Currently, several vendors can claim as many as 150 clients. However, these vendors are far from homogenous; significant variations characterize the industry. While a comprehensive analysis of these differences could serve as the basis for an article in its own right—and perhaps will in the future—here are some factors to weigh closely:

Does the vendor offer to become a co-fiduciary on the plan in tandem with the employer?
Do they integrate legal support within their offering for both the employer and the employee?
How robust is their credit restoration program, particularly in instances where an employee neglects to engage early, and their credit rating takes a hit?
Do they employ in-house legal counsel, or do they rely exclusively on external legal advice—and more importantly, does this distinction matter to you?
Do they suggest enlisting an independent concierge service, or do they insist that this is their responsibility?
How large is their customer service team?
Would you favor a firm that settles more claims at a higher cost to you, resulting in less backlash from providers and employees? Or would you prefer a company that staunchly defends your pricing decisions to curb costs and counteract unjust price escalations?
Do they offer performance and pricing guarantees, and what are the specifics of these assurances?
Do they possess or have access to a physician-only network that can be incorporated into your RBP program, if desired?
How many clients do they serve in the geographical area where you intend to implement their services? This can shed light on their familiarity with local facilities.

3: Legal support

The legal landscape in the world of RBP is diverse. Some RBP vendors claim to have never actually gone to court because they've been able to settle every dispute that has arisen. Conversely, one vendor told me they are currently engaged in 23 lawsuits nationally with their legal team. You have a full spectrum of options.

Instant Insights /

Reference-based pricing: 10 keys for successful implementation

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