08/28/2026
Meet Matthew Wittman, Manager of Commercial Pharmacy Markets at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, and your pharmacist.
Matthew's path to pharmacy was shaped by two interests: a love for science and an interest in insurance. Growing up, he knew he wanted a career that could combine the two, and pharmacy offered the versatility he was looking for.
Today, Matthew works in managed care pharmacy, where his team manages pharmacy benefits for more than a quarter of a million members in Kansas and beyond. His work looks different from what many people picture when they think of a pharmacist, but it has a significant impact on patients.
On any given day, Matthew may evaluate new medications and formularies, develop medical policies, work on pharmacy programs, collaborate with healthcare providers, or meet with community leaders to address medication access challenges. He also works alongside teams in Sales, Finance, Government Affairs, Membership, Customer Service, and Provider Relations to help ensure members have access to the medications they need.
One of the most important parts of his role is helping make costly medications more affordable and accessible.
"The average cost of a specialty medication is more than $80,000 annually, and most members cannot afford that outside of insurance," Matthew explains. "Every single day we work to make medications financially accessible and available for members."
For Matthew, that work became especially personal during a conversation with a local community leader who shared that a medication covered by their insurance had changed their family's life. Without insurance coverage, the family could never have afforded it.
"Insurance can get a bad reputation at times, but that moment, and many others, really meant a lot to me."
Matthew's work also extends beyond his organization. As President of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Great Plains Affiliate, he advocates for medication access, connects with other pharmacy professionals, and helps educate the next generation of pharmacists.
He believes managed care pharmacists play an important role in connecting the many pieces of healthcare.
"Pharmacists are often the connective tissue within healthcare. We help bridge gaps between patients, providers, healthcare systems, and research."
That work is especially important as new medications continue to enter the market. Managed care pharmacists help evaluate these therapies, educate providers on appropriate prescribing, and ensure patients can access medications safely and effectively.
Matthew wants people to know that pharmacists' impact isn't always visible, but they're always looking out for patients.
"Much of our work happens behind the scenes, reviewing therapies, identifying potential problems, collaborating with healthcare teams, and ensuring medications are used safely and effectively."
From helping a family afford a life-changing medication to shaping policies that impact hundreds of thousands of patients, Matthew shows us that pharmacists can make a difference far beyond the pharmacy counter.
Thank you, Matthew, for helping make medications more accessible and showing us another way pharmacists improve healthcare every day.
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
