Which clinical service is NOT typically included among Pharmacy Benefit Manager services?

Retail pharmacy operation is not typically included among the services offered by a Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM). PBMs primarily focus on managing prescription drug benefits on behalf of health plans, employers, and other stakeholders in the healthcare system. Their core functions include benefit administration, claims adjudication, and disease management services.

Benefit administration involves overseeing the design and implementation of pharmacy benefit plans, ensuring they align with the needs of plan sponsors and members. Claims adjudication refers to the processing of pharmacy claims, where the PBM determines whether a claim should be paid based on plan benefits and patient eligibility. Disease management programs are created to help patients manage chronic conditions effectively, improving health outcomes while controlling costs.

On the other hand, retail pharmacy operations pertain to the day-to-day activities of pharmacies that dispense medications directly to consumers, which is outside the scope of what PBMs do. PBMs may work with retail pharmacies, but they do not operate them or provide services directly related to retail pharmacy operations.