February 2026. Examines the PBM contracting landscape and PBM key decision-makers' evaluation of manufacturers willingness to contract.
Managed Markets
2026 Research
January 2026. Assists pharmaceutical manufacturers in understanding trends in headcounts across very large, large, and mid-size firms.
January 2026. Provides pharmaceutical firms' ratings of key Pharmacy Benefit Manager, PBM-owned GPO, Managed Care Organization, and Medical Benefits Manager accounts in ability to limit brand access and willingness to partner with manufacturers. Examines respondents' rationales driving ratings.
2025 Research
December 2025. Examines the Medicaid MCO market landscape, current contracting landscape, reviews Medicaid MCO executives' evaluation of manufacturer engagement, and identifies partnership opportunities.
August 2025. Examines the current Medicare Advantage market landscape, market trends, and contracting environment, and reviews Medicare Advantage executives' evaluation of manufacturers' willingness to contract and quality of programs/resources, and identifies partnership opportunities.
April 2025. Examines the current market landscape, PBM executives' strategic imperatives going forward, and views on market trends that could impact the segment further.
May 2025. Examines the current market landscape, health plan executives' strategic imperatives going forward, and views on market trends that could impact the segment further.
March 2025. Reviews the commercial health plan contracting landscape and pharmacy and medical directors' evaluation of manufacturers willingness to contract.
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At a time when the PBM market is under heightened regulatory scrutiny and contracting practices in transition, HIRC's latest report provides a clear snapshot of where manufacturer-PBM relationships...
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Pharmaceutical manufacturers continue to evolve managed markets staffing structures to align with customer needs amid regulatory and policy-driven market changes. HIRC's report, Managed Markets...
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Payers' strong utilization management and formulary control, combined with their size and ability to impact market share, continue to challenge pharmaceutical manufacturers' access and partnership...
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Managed Medicaid plans face mounting pressure as rising member needs and costs collide with reduced funding and eligibility constraints. HIRC's report, Medicaid MCOs: Market Landscape Trends,...
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Medicare Advantage plans continue to grapple with a complex transformation of the MA landscape brought forth by the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and other policy changes. HIRC'...
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Amid the challenges of navigating government regulations and rising drug costs, commercial health plans remain focused on leveraging value-based initiatives and strategies for overall cost...
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Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) continue to be strategically focused on better moderating drug spend and utilization while prioritizing membership and the patient experience. HIRC's report, Pharmacy...
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Strong competitive positioning with commercial health plans is vital for pharmaceutical manufacturers to maintain market access and strengthen payer partnerships. HIRC's report, Commercial Health...
Managed Markets
Research Overview
Current and emerging market trends in health care continue to impact pharmaceutical firms' key customers. For over 30 years, HIRC's Managed Markets Service has monitored the activity impacting pharmaceutical market access and has provided strategic insights for clients to engage in effective account management of key payer customers.
The service provides manufacturers a comprehensive resource to guide account planning and access strategies through its triangulated research design, utilizing a combination of primary survey data, interview insights, and in-depth secondary research.
For more information or to subscribe, contact Josh Mader via email or at (408) 884-8560.
Comprehensive Approach to Managed Markets Access
Insights from commercial pharmacy and medical directors, PBM leaders, and Medicaid MCO and Medicare executives are gathered to assess current and future market trends, customer needs and challenges, and the competitive landscape. Pharmaceutical industry leaders are also surveyed to assist in driving managed markets headcounts decisions and to assess the access and partnership landscape of key commercial and government accounts.
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturers: Managed Markets Headcounts and Organizational Study
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturers: Access and Partnership Landscape for Key Accounts
- Market: Commercial Health Plans
- Market: Commercial PBMs
- Market: Medicare Advantage Plans
- Market: Medicaid MCOs
Bringing Value to Subscribers
HIRC's data and insights enable subscribers to understand and track market dynamics and trends critical to optimal product and value-added program positioning as the health care delivery market evolves.
Through detailed analyses, key implications, and strategic recommendations from experienced HIRC researchers, subscribers to the Managed Markets Service are able to monitor and evaluate critical market trends, benchmark manufacturer contracting and resources, identify and understand managed care needs, and act upon partnership opportunities.
