The 340B program is full of intricacies and requires diverse knowledge of its various parts to maximize benefits and ensure compliance. Diving into the program headfirst with minimal experience is a daunting task, but one that you may find yourself forced into.
Wondering what you’ll face in your new 340B world? As one of Hudson Headwaters 340B’s newest hires with no previous 340B experience, I can speak to what challenges you may face. Here are four things that I’ve found helpful in my first few weeks of 340B.
Patience: With so much to consume in the 340B program, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. You won’t understand every topic at first glance, and some you’ll struggle with for weeks. But as you continue learning, things will start to click. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your 340B knowledge certainly won’t be either. Having patience as you sift through 340B will keep you from becoming frustrated in your lack of expertise.
Curiosity: As you take the long journey through learning the program, you’ll have an abundance of questions. Ask them. There are plenty of resources for your 340B questions, which may include others within your entity, your Third-Party Administrator (Hudson Headwaters 340B), or the free Apexus Answers service aligned with HRSA to promote program integrity. Asking questions has been the most beneficial thing for my understanding of 340B.
Determination: The background you need for the 340B program can be a little dry, due to the nature of learning about the rules and regulations that make the program work. Since all the information is necessary for your new role, your determination is going to be incredibly valuable in taking everything in. You may find yourself wanting to skim through subtopics of 340B but doing so will result in more confusion in the long run. Stay committed to learning and you’ll be in good shape.
Adaptability: Once you finally think you know 340B, don’t get comfortable. You’re going to go through phases of thinking you comprehend things, and then something will come up that confuses what you thought you knew. You may realize a new complexity, or the program itself may adjust. The phrase “the only constant is change” rings true in the everchanging 340B landscape, and adaptability is crucial to remain on top of things.
The 340B learning curve is steep, and it will take a while before you feel comfortable with the program. It’s important to remember these four things as you continue to (slowly) progress in your new world.
This post is part of our staff contributor series and was written by Josh Buser, Business Analyst.