Episode Details

On this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast — Business Solutions, Sr. Editor and host Daniel Williams sits down with Casey Benefield, Senior Director of National Account Sales at MGMA BestPrice, and Christy Farrow, Director of Channel Partnerships at HealthTrust.

Together, they unpack how MGMA BestPrice, MGMA’s exclusive group purchasing organization (GPO), helps medical practices of all sizes reduce supply and service costs — often by double digits — without disrupting existing workflows or vendor relationships. From understanding what a GPO actually is to exploring real savings opportunities across clinical and non‑clinical categories, this conversation is designed to help medical practice leaders facing rising costs and shrinking margins make smarter purchasing decisions.

Key Takeaways 

• [02:19] What MGMA BestPrice is — and why it matters to medical practices 
  MGMA BestPrice is MGMA’s exclusive GPO, powered by HealthTrust, giving MGMA members access to health‑system–level pricing on medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and services.
• [03:09] What a GPO does and how it solves a real operational problem 
  Group purchasing organizations leverage collective buying power so practices can save thousands annually on everyday essentials — without negotiating individual contracts.
• [03:58] Who MGMA BestPrice is designed for (hint: it’s not just large groups)
  Independent practices, multi‑site groups, ambulatory surgery centers, long‑term care, FQHCs, and specialty practices all benefit — regardless of size or spend.
• [08:59] Where practices see the greatest savings — beyond medical supplies
  Members save up to 20% across categories including medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, office supplies, IT, waste management, freight, travel, equipment repair, and more.
• [09:30] The biggest misconception about GPOs — and why it costs practices money
  Many practices think their distributor is their GPO. In reality, MGMA BestPrice negotiates contracts across distributors, unlocking savings without changing reps, vendors, or ordering systems.
• [12:03] Why MGMA BestPrice is different from other national GPOs 
  MGMA BestPrice uses a committed, sole‑source model and is backed by HealthTrust — the only top‑three GPO owned and operated by seven health systems.
• [14:30] How to validate savings before committing
  Practices can request a free cost analysis comparing their actual 12‑month spend against MGMA BestPrice contracts, showing exact‑match and conversion savings.
• [20:10] Real‑world impact: $25.3 million saved in one year 
  In 2025 alone, MGMA BestPrice helped more than 4,500 MGMA members save over $25.3 million.

Resources

• MGMA BestPrice (enrollment & cost analysis)
• MGMA BestPrice Phone Number
  📞 844‑234‑66462

(Enrollment is free and takes approximately two minutes. A dedicated account manager supports members throughout onboarding and beyond.)

Sponsor:
Capella University helps healthcare professionals earn their MHA on their terms. Their FlexPath MHA program is designed for busy MGMA members who want to advance their leadership skills with a flexible, self‑paced format — often faster and more affordably — without putting their careers on hold. Questions? Visit capella.edu/MHA to learn more.