Round-Table Q&A: Perspectives from the Field

Q: What are you most looking forward to at BCoD in November in Atlanta?

Nellie O’Brien:
I’m most looking forward to connecting and sharing new insights with a room full of passionate professionals eager to grow. BCoD brings together such a dynamic community, and as a communications coach, I relish the opportunity to help people speak with more confidence, clarity, and impact. I’m equally looking forward to the conversations off-stage—the moments where real connection happens and I get to learn as much as I share.

David Hartigan:
Networking, and hearing about changes in the industry.

Sarah Bailey:
I want to collaborate with BC’s around the country to share challenges they have had for the past year and how they over came them.

Sherri Denton:
Each year I take the information I learn to make my job easier. Last year it was AI. This year I am trying to learn more about the different types of dermatology biologic medications, such as, TNF Alpha Inhibitors, IL-17. IL-12/23, IL-23 and how each of them work.

Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?

Nellie O’Brien:
Witnessing someone who starts with self-doubt or feels disconnected from their audience transform through our work together – gaining confidence, clarity and the ability to inspire, is incredibly exciting and fulfilling for me. Helping a group or an individual to realize their voice matters and watching them step into their own power to make an impact in presentations and in everyday conversation is a wonderful affirmation of why I do what I do.

David Hartigan:
What his is a position that you do so much for the patient without being the providers. You work with the patient start to finish and beyond.

Sarah Bailey:
My most rewarding experience is seeing a patient, parent, or caregiver appreciative that their loved one has their quality of life back.

Sherri Denton:
When you are told that another office tried unsuccessfully to get a patient on a biologic and I am able to help the patient.

Q: Where have you seen the most impactful changes to obtaining prior authorizations recently?

David Hartigan:
covermymeds, with insurance PBM change CMM has been able to identify this changes and alerts us quickly so we can change direction and get the prior authorization done sooner.

Sarah Bailey:
Including step therapy language to prior authorizations. I have had success keeping patients on their current biologic instead of plans mandating a biosimilar or changing drug because it’s non-formulary.

Sherri Denton:
When I am given the option to request an authorization online. After submitting the prescription electronically this option becomes available when eprescribing.

Q: When it comes to onboarding new biologic coordinators, what would you say is the most important aspect?

David Hartigan:
Making sure the processes are known, and that all members groove together.

Sarah Bailey:
Willing to understand the whys… Often plans want for providers to try and fail step therapy. Versus falling for a trap of step therapy try to peel apart a patient history and physical and realize that the patient has additional comorbidities, family history or medications that may interact with the step therapy requirements. Learn the mechanism of action of the medications and why they would be best suited for a patient to form an argument to the insurance carrier.

Sherri Denton:
Get all your documentation when the patient is in the office. The Patient Signature, Lab Order, Prescription Insurance Card, Patient Email, and have the patient fill out a biologic questioner with quality-of-life questions.

Q: What’s a favorite life hack that helps you get through a busy week?

Nellie O’Brien:
Four come immediately to mind:

• Passion!

• Perspective! (reminding myself that rather than HAVING to do something, I GET to do something).

• The ability and the presence of mind to see and experience everyday things as if for the very first time (a true gift).

• The “Real-Time” Game! – an amazing, virtually infallible trick for focus, energy, clarity and more – which I promise to share in my breakouts!

David Hartigan:
Dinner prep the night before gives me more time after the work day is completed. I have time to sit outside and enjoy the evening with my kids and spouse.

Sarah Bailey:
RxLightning – I can have all my enrollment forms current, in one place, and send via text for consent to the patient. I don’t have to ever update a form. Or, have a notice that it’s incomplete.

Sherri Denton:
Planning my week ahead of time by what I want to accomplish for the week.

Q: What’s a quality you admire most in others?

Nellie O’Brien:
Humanity (kindness, humor, empathy, social intelligence).

Sarah Bailey:
Perseverance

Bonus Round

Q: What’s the last book you’ve enjoyed reading?
David Hartigan:
Surrounded by Idiots. You start to understand people more and you can reflect on your own action. Definitely a recommend book.

Q: When it comes to summer vacations, do you prefer mountains or ocean?
Sarah Bailey:
Prefer autumn in New England.

Q: What music are you listening to these days?
Sarah Bailey:
90’s–2000 mix.
Sherri Denton:
Smooth Jazz

Q: What are one of the most memorable places you’ve travelled to?
Sarah Bailey:
Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Sherri Denton:
A Disney Cruise with my whole family (Husband, 2 sons, 2 daughter-in-laws, 4 grandkids)