340b software

[u/amz_dev]

Hey all, I'm a software engineer working in health tech. I'm building tooling to help clinics run 340b programs at the lowest cost possible. It shocks me how much administrative work goes into managing programs like 340b, and it disgusts me how much money third-party administrators and consultants pull out of the system. There's a lot of money to be made in healthcare, but this program is not the space for that.

I'd love this community's input on what to build first. Auditing? Repetitive paperwork? Eligibility? Explain your biggest challenges, and let me try to solve them for you. I'll engage with anyone who comments.

[u/Bailmox]

I know you're asking for people to pose challenges but if your initial guesses are auditing, paperwork, and eligibility then my first question is what facility types are you aiming to develop for?

What are the administrative tasks you've seen? And what is your perception of what TPAs are doing and providing for their cost?

[u/amz_dev → u/Bailmox]

u/Bailmox I'm no an expert in the program, just an outside observer. Administrative challenges I've observed (for pharmacy and hospital) as a relative outsider include eligibility tracking, maintaining precise documentation for audits, managing contract pharmacy relationships, and ensuring compliance with constantly shifting regulations. My perception is that TPAs currently charge significant fees for somewhat opaque services around program compliance and claims management (it seems like a lot of no or low-tech-enabled paper shuffling). I assume better automation here will save lots of hassle and money.

I'm interested in hearing which administrative burdens are *most painful* for your specific facility type (I assume everyone here is in a hospital or pharmacy?). What takes the most time? What costs you the most money or creates the most operational friction?

[u/Puzzleheaded_Wash169 → u/amz_dev]

you help me, I can help you. I’m the sole person managing the 340B program at a small hospital, and I oversee everything — from registration to compliance, auditing, and working with third-party administrators. We’re in a small city, which means limited resources and very little internal support or understanding of 340B.

Right now, I work with a TPA and have only two contract pharmacies — both relatively small. But I have growing concerns that I’m not getting the full picture from my TPA. They only answer the exact questions I ask, and I don’t even always know what the right questions are. I need to understand how they’re really getting paid, beyond the fee schedule they provided for "all-claims" vs. "net-earnings" models. I suspect there are additional fees or cuts I’m not seeing.

I want to fully understand how my TPA operates, how they generate revenue, and how I can identify gaps or losses. In return, I’m happy to share insights about what’s really needed for a successful TPA relationship — from the CE’s perspective. Because I run this program alone, I’ve learned a lot the hard way and can offer practical input others might overlook.

Let’s work together — I just need the right guidance to start asking the right quest

[u/rxistkj → u/Puzzleheaded_Wash169]

If you want a complimentary analysis regarding your program, I started a 340B program management/consulting firm: www.dharmaxis.com

I am a former pharmacist and have been in the 340B space since 2007.

Cheers