Skip to main content
Employer Benefits IQ
Pharmacy

Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM)

An intermediary that manages prescription drug benefits for health plans.

LinkedInX

Full Definition

A PBM is a third-party administrator of prescription drug programs. PBMs negotiate drug prices with manufacturers, develop formularies, process claims, and operate pharmacy networks. The three largest PBMs — CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and OptumRx — manage benefits for the majority of insured Americans.