On this episode of Regulatory Joe, Joe Boyle is joined by Penstock’s Director of Plan Management, Bryan Connole, to dive into one of the biggest pain points in ACA regulatory filing: the pharmacy benefit template.
As Plan Year 2026 approaches, CMS and state agencies are tightening expectations—especially around prior authorization and template accuracy. Bryan shares what tripped up issuers last year, what tools are critical for success, and how internal misalignment (especially with PBMs and pharmacy teams) can derail your entire submission.
In this episode:
The top objection trends from Plan Year 2025
How to use CMS validation tools to avoid rework
Why cross-validation errors can still cost you—even if your template looks “clean”
What to expect from CMS as MPMS continues to evolve
Practical tips for internal coordination and compliance
Whether you're a seasoned filer or new to regulatory operations, this episode offers actionable insight to help you stay compliant, avoid objections, and file with confidence.
🎧 Listen now and future-proof your pharmacy benefit template strategy.
