“The groundwork for all happiness is good health.” – Leigh Hunt.

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Tina Rydland

 

Where it All Started:  A Passion for People, Data, and Better Care

 

In the early 90s, I worked at one of the first pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), where I partnered with medical directors and pharmaceutical companies to improve outcomes for plan sponsors and their members. Even then, I saw the power of combining data, clinical care, and compassion to help thousands of people at once. It was inspiring. I loved it so much I applied to pharmacy school at the University of Minnesota—and got in.

 

The University of MN was nationally known for pharmaceutical care and health care economics. I dove deep into these topics.  We were already studying how people on five or more medications were at risk of harm, confusion, and unnecessary costs. And I knew that if we could bring pharmacists closer to patients and physicians, we could prevent avoidable problems and save lives. While still in school, I kept working in the PBM space, applying my clinical and economics education in real time.

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Milestone #1: Innovation from Within:  Building What Others Said Wasn't Possible

 

After graduation, I made it my mission to bring true pharmaceutical care into the PBM industry. One of the proudest achievements of my career was co-developing and launching a medication management program that became a cornerstone for federal employees and their families, before it became mandated by Medicare Part-D in 2007.  That program—now known as Patient-Centered Care (PCare)—still serves more than 30,000 people each year. I hired pharmacists, created clinical protocols, analyzed ROI and satisfaction metrics, and saw firsthand how better care leads to better results. I saw the real-world impact of PCare.  Becoming a thought leader on pharmaceutical care and data management. 

 

Milestone #2: Expanding Impact Through Data and Integrity

 

At the same time, I was managing high-cost claim reviews, financial forecasting, utilization analytics, and fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA) efforts. One project I’m especially proud of helped prevent widespread opioid misuse through proactive policies, doctor-member communication tools, and early interventions—not just law enforcement. We also tracked patterns, identified bad actors, and protected members with dignity and compassion. This FWA program provided a framework for what's now mandated by CMS. Unfortunately, even at that time the broader system was complaisant to the potential for widespread harm to the public and the problem grew to an epidemic.  Becoming a trusted voice in pharmacy analytics and healthcare fraud, waste and abuse.

 

Milestone #3: Learning the Other Side:  What Really Happens in the Big Carriers

 

Eventually, I pivoted and left the PBM and joined UnitedHealth Group care management division to learn from the inside. I consolidated failing disease management programs into scalable, low-touch tools. I partnered with specialty pharmacy teams to develop integrated member engagement strategies. During this time, I saw the rise of OptumRx and how vertically integrated pharmacy services had the potential to impact cost and care.  This gave me significant visibility into the inner workings of insurance carrier's care management and pharmacy services and life long connections to smart people.  It was eye-opening— and reaffirmed my belief that while many insurance care management programs sound good, they didn't always work.  What was unique about PCare, is that members trusted the pharmacists and we solved problems that were also important to them.  Becoming a thought leader in care management and analytics.

 

Milestone #4: Taking the Leap:  Becoming a Trusted Consultant Across the Supply Chain

Eventually, I pivoted again—this time into consulting. I’d spent more than 15 years at top PBMs and Insurance carriers and started to see changes I couldn’t ignore—consolidation, profit-driven decision-making, and a loss of autonomy in clinical services. I advised companies across the pharmacy supply chain, from PBMs and specialty pharmacies to large and small employers, health systems, and device manufacturers. I helped build care pathways for complex conditions like diabetes and created support systems for people with medication-heavy regimens who wanted to stay independent. I even helped build a cross-border pharmacy network between the U.S. and Canada. Becoming a pharmacy supply chain expert.

 

But the work I loved most? Helping employers and their employees and families. Directly. No middlemen. No layers. No hidden fees or opaque arrangements.

 

Milestone #5: Putting it All Together; Designing Smarter care for Real People.

 

Putting it all together, that’s when I founded RxClarity—a consulting and management services firm built to serve CFOs, HR leaders, and presidents who want to improve their prescription coverage benefits and services and overall employee care experience. I didn’t start RxClarity to be another vendor, to be a broker—I built it to be a high-touch, data-driven, clinically sound solution for companies who are ready to finally take control of their prescription coverage now and for the future.  I'm a thought-leader and expert in prescription drug coverage benefits, care, and analytics.  

 

I’m not interested in adding another point solution to the pile. I want to eliminate waste, improve care, and help you take better care of your people—because your people are your edge.

 

I’ve spent my entire career in pharmacy, benefits, and healthcare analytics. I’ve seen what works. I know the people who can help. I know how to evaluate vendors. And I know how to spot waste, inefficiency, and missed opportunities.

 

Most importantly—I care. And I’ve built a team of data and clinical professionals who care too.