Joey Coats

About Joey Coats

With 15+ years of experience navigating the intersection of pharmacy benefit strategy, clinical operations, and regulatory compliance, I’ve led programs where precision matters—and where cost, quality, and access must align to drive results.Most recently, I served as Director of Pharmacy & Clinical Consulting at Premera Blue Cross, where I set strategy for pharmacy benefit programs across commercial and government lines of business, and: Negotiated PBM contracts that delivered $26M+ in annual savings. Built scalable clinical programs that saved clients $8M+ in a single year. Led retention efforts that preserved 300K+ pharmacy lives through strategic RFP responses. Managed a $7M+ budget, led a 35-person team, and partnered directly with executive clients to solve complex challenges in pharmacy benefit design.My foundation spans legal, clinical, and operational domains. I’ve used my J.D. to navigate contracting and regulatory change, and my pharmacy training to lead biosimilar pilots, utilization management redesigns, and cost-containment strategies that marry clinical integrity with financial stewardship.What sets me apart isn’t just technical fluency—it’s the ability to connect the dots between policy, performance, and people. I bring a bias toward action, a clear-eyed view of risk, and a leadership style grounded in transparency and trust. That’s helped me thrive in high-accountability environments and earn the confidence of stakeholders ranging from CFOs to front-line pharmacists.I hold a J.D. from Seattle University (Summa Cum Laude) and a B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. I’m licensed as both a pharmacist and an attorney, and I’ve consistently paid it forward by mentoring high-potential team members, leading strategic change initiatives, and helping others navigate complexity with clarity.If you’re building something transformative in the health plan, PBM, or value-based care space—I’d love to connect.

Experience

1. Pharmaceutical Contracts Operations Specialist

   Evio

   Jul 2025 — Present

   Evio is a pharmacy solutions startup that works with health plans to transform the medication experience for everyone: patients, providers, and the system at large. Using real world evidence, Evio will ensure every patient gets the right medication in a simple and affordable way.

Education

• Seattle University School of Law

  Doctor of Law - JD

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

  Bachelor of Science - BS