Responding to client needs within its rapidly expanding drug benefits management practice, the Chelko Consulting Group recently welcomed Lucia Vescera, PharmD, RPh.

Before joining Chelko, Vescera was instrumental in the opening and URAC accreditation of the Cleveland Clinic Specialty Pharmacy where her clinical focus was hepatology, infectious disease, and preventative cardiology. Her role also involved clinical consulting for solid organ transplant patients.

Vescera’s professional experience includes handling insurance authorizations and appeals, benefits investigation and analysis for coverage determinations, and obtaining patient assistance, copay assistance, and foundation support for appropriate recipients.

As a key member of Chelko’s drug benefits management team, Vescera will help clients better manage the spend in their medical and prescription benefits programs. Her clinical experience, analytical skills, and passion for treatment efficacy ― especially as they relate to specialty drugs ― give clients confidence that their plan members receive the right medications, for the right conditions, in the right ways.

Established in 2001 to provide high value, conflict-free, and transparent medical, life, and disability benefits consulting services to medium- and large-size employers, Chelko has recently seen tremendous growth assisting clients in reducing costs on the specialty drug front.

Applying its typical data-driven management process known for producing actionable insight and impressive results, the firm works with a growing list of clients to reduce and avoid unnecessary costs in this area of rapidly rising health plan spend.