HealthEZ introduces EZrx to cut pharmacy costs by 50% for self-funded employer plans

HealthEZ, a national third-party administrator specialising in custom benefits design, has officially launched EZrx, a disruptive pharmacy benefits management (PBM) platform aimed at revolutionising the way self-funded employer groups manage prescription costs. The timing of this launch aligns with escalating drug prices in the United States, where employers are increasingly seeking alternatives to traditional PBM models that often obscure true drug costs through complex rebate structures and non-transparent contracts.

EZrx is positioned as a strategic response to these market inefficiencies, offering a modernised pharmacy benefits solution that promises up to 50% cost savings compared to legacy PBM systems. It achieves this by decoupling clinical review from the PBM itself and deploying a multi-pronged cost-control strategy focused on claims exceeding $1,000 per fill. This approach is designed to ensure the lowest net medication cost without compromising the quality of patient care.

How Does EZrx Address the High Cost of Prescription Drugs for Employers?

At the core of EZrx is a methodology that challenges the conventional PBM model by relocating the clinical review process outside of the PBM’s control. This mechanism allows HealthEZ to evaluate and approve medications independently, selecting the most cost-effective channels or therapeutic alternatives for high-cost prescriptions.

EZrx’s strategy includes identifying cases where patient assistance programs, alternate sourcing networks, or generic substitutions could reduce employer liability. This also extends to authorisation management and ensuring members have access to prescriptions through the most cost-efficient pharmacy available. According to HealthEZ, the focus on high-cost claims delivers the highest return on savings while maintaining member satisfaction.

This outside-PBM model directly addresses long-standing criticism of PBMs for lacking transparency and prioritising rebates over cost-effective prescribing. Instead, EZrx gives plan sponsors visibility into drug pricing and creates a clear alignment between employer and administrator incentives.

What Makes EZrx Different from Traditional Pharmacy Benefit Managers?

Traditional PBMs often bundle clinical oversight and pricing negotiations under the same roof, creating a potential conflict of interest and limited price transparency. HealthEZ’s EZrx breaks this mold by structurally separating these functions. By shifting the clinical review process out of the PBM environment, EZrx removes incentive misalignment and introduces a model focused strictly on achieving the lowest net cost for medications.

Another distinguishing feature is the upcoming launch of an integrated digital platform within EZrx. This member-facing tool will allow users to compare prescription costs in real-time and transfer their prescriptions to the lowest-cost provider instantly. This technology-enabled solution enhances member empowerment, improves prescription fulfilment decisions, and supports employers in maximising plan efficiency.

HealthEZ believes this tech-forward design will contribute significantly to its ability to contain long-term prescription expenses, particularly in specialty drugs and chronic care treatments—areas that have seen exponential cost growth.

What Are the Expected Benefits for Self-Funded Employer Groups Using EZrx?

Self-funded employers are the primary target audience for EZrx, and the platform has been architected specifically to address their unique financial and administrative needs. One of the greatest advantages EZrx offers is its focus on high-impact savings—targeting high-cost drugs where the potential for price variation is significant.

By identifying lower-cost therapeutic alternatives or leveraging manufacturer assistance programs, EZrx can deliver material reductions in spend per member per month (PMPM). HealthEZ’s Chief Product Officer, Josh Schreiner, has stated that the platform can identify “the lowest net cost channel or alternative medication that can yield maximum savings.” He added that the goal is to ensure a “win-win for all parties involved,” referring to both the employer and the covered member.

Moreover, EZrx integrates with HealthEZ’s broader benefits ecosystem, enabling seamless member navigation, care advocacy, and administrative support. This holistic model reduces friction points for HR departments while improving employee satisfaction with pharmacy benefit coverage.

How Does EZrx Fit Into the Broader HealthEZ Strategy?

The launch of EZrx fits squarely within HealthEZ’s larger mission of modernising employee benefits through integrated, flexible, and cost-effective solutions. As a national third-party administrator, HealthEZ has long advocated for smarter self-funding models that reduce administrative overhead while preserving—or even enhancing—the quality of care delivery.

EZrx complements HealthEZ’s existing suite of services, including medical claims administration, care navigation, and digital member tools. By adding a next-generation pharmacy benefits platform to the offering, the company solidifies its value proposition to large and mid-sized employers navigating the complexity of rising healthcare costs.

This unified, full-stack model positions HealthEZ as a credible challenger to incumbent TPAs and PBMs that operate in silos and often introduce complexity without cost transparency. For HealthEZ, the message is clear: pharmacy benefit management must evolve, and EZrx is the blueprint for that evolution.

What Does the Introduction of EZrx Signal About Trends in Pharmacy Benefits?

The launch of EZrx underscores broader trends in the pharmacy benefits space, where employers are demanding greater transparency, control, and accountability from PBM arrangements. A growing chorus of stakeholders—ranging from large employers to industry coalitions and government regulators—have expressed frustration with the rebate-driven nature of traditional PBMs and the lack of clarity on true drug costs.

HealthEZ’s move into pharmacy solutions with a member-first, cost-focused platform like EZrx mirrors industry shifts toward unbundled models and tech-powered transparency tools. It also reflects increasing pressure on PBMs to demonstrate value beyond manufacturer rebates and administrative convenience.

As employers and benefits consultants evaluate their options in a tightening healthcare cost environment, models like EZrx are likely to gain traction for their promise of simplicity, cost efficiency, and clinical integrity. The ability to isolate high-cost claims and engineer customised cost-reduction strategies is rapidly becoming a differentiator in pharmacy plan design.

What Comes Next for EZrx and HealthEZ’s Benefits Platform?

HealthEZ has already laid the groundwork for the future expansion of EZrx. The digital pricing comparison tool, slated for release in the near term, represents the next phase in making pharmacy benefits fully interactive and user-directed.

HealthEZ also intends to continuously refine the platform’s sourcing logic and clinical review protocols to stay ahead of drug pricing volatility and regulatory developments. As U.S. lawmakers continue to scrutinise PBMs and demand more transparent pricing structures, solutions like EZrx may become a preferred option for employers seeking regulatory compliance and cost mitigation simultaneously.

With a growing client base across industries, HealthEZ is expected to scale EZrx across new markets, especially among self-funded mid-sized employers seeking flexible benefit design without hidden costs. The company’s integrated care model, combined with EZrx’s promise of up to 50% savings, could make HealthEZ a formidable player in the future of pharmacy benefit transformation.