Which option denotes a transparent pricing model for PBM services?

The choice of pass-through pricing represents a transparent pricing model for Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) services because it allows clients to see the actual costs of medications and the services provided. In this model, the PBM passes the actual drug acquisition costs directly to the client, including any discounts or rebates received from manufacturers. This transparency helps clients understand what they are paying for and ensures that the pricing is aligned with actual market conditions.

In contrast, spread pricing involves the PBM charging the health plan more for a drug than what it reimburses the pharmacy, allowing the PBM to keep the difference as profit. This lack of transparency can lead to clients being unaware of the actual costs and what they are paying for the services provided. Competitive pricing refers to pricing strategies that are based on market competition but does not necessarily imply transparency in the same manner as pass-through pricing. Fixed pricing offers stability in costs but may not reflect the actual variable costs of medications and services, therefore lacking the transparency that pass-through pricing provides.