In this episode, Specialty Pharmacy leaders will discuss how to review a payer contract, keys elements to address, and strategies to negotiate a favorable contract.
Navigating the Waters of Payer Contracting
Broadcast Date: June 10, 2024
Debbie Duckworth (she/her) is the senior director of the University of Kentucky Specialty Pharmacy & Pharmacy Infusion Services in Lexington, KY. She was the co-owner/operator of a retail pharmacy and durable medical equipment company for 20 years prior to coming to UK HealthCare where she has worked the last 14 years as a leader in retail and specialty/infusion pharmacy. She is currently a director at large for the ASHP Section of Specialty Pharmacy Practitioners.
John Sampugnaro (he/him) is the payer administration director or director of pharmacy contracting for UK HealthCare (UKHC) at the University of Kentucky where he oversees all aspects of retail and specialty pharmacy credentialing and contracting. Sampugnaro is responsible for carefully reviewing pharmacy provider contracts, negotiating favorable terms and rates, while also ensuring compliance with regulatory and legal requirements. He also works closely with pharmacy staff, the finance department, along with external payers and vendors to optimize pharmacy services and control costs for UKHC.
Denise Scarpelli, PharmD, MBA, CPEL is the vice president and chief pharmacy officer at the University of Chicago since 2022. Previously, she was the executive director of ambulatory pharmacy and business development at the University of Chicago. Before coming to the University of Chicago, she held many leadership roles at Walgreens leading pharmacy operations in Chicago for over 20 years.
Scarpelli earned a Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Illinois at Chicago- College of Pharmacy in 1996 and a Master’s in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2021. She earned her Certified Pharmacy Executive Leadership (CPEL) from ASHP in 2026.
Scarpelli was a member of the Illinois Board of Pharmacy, since 2015, serving as chair for the last few years. She was the chair of the ASHP Section on Specialty Pharmacy Practitioners. Currently, she is serving on a few ASHP committees as well as the vice-chair for the Council on Pharmacy Management. She is a member of the Epic Pharmacy Executive Board and serves on the leadership board for Susan G. Komen.
The information presented during the podcast reflects solely the opinions of the presenter. The information and materials are not, and are not intended as, a comprehensive source of drug information on this topic. The contents of the podcast have not been reviewed by ASHP, and should neither be interpreted as the official policies of ASHP, nor an endorsement of any product(s), nor should they be considered as a substitute for the professional judgment of the pharmacist or physician.
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