340B Insight
98 episodes - English - Latest episode: 16 days ago -340B Insight provides members and supporters of 340B Health with timely updates and discussions about the 340B drug pricing program. The podcast helps listeners stay current with and learn more about 340B to help them serve their patients and communities and remain compliant. We publish new episodes twice a month, with news reports and in-depth interviews with leading health care practitioners, policy and legal experts, public policymakers, and our expert staff.
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Episodes
New Federal and State Legislative Movement on 340B
April 15, 2024 12:30 - 21 minutes - 25 MBThe 340B community has seen major activity on several fronts since the start of 2024 – the introduction of new legislation on Capitol Hill, movement on legislation in the states, and key developments in the courts. 340B Health President and CEO Maureen Testoni returns to the show to help us make sense of these developments and how they might affect stakeholders. Federal bills could help covered entities but also limit 340B’s scope One new bill introduced in the House of Represent...
How To Prevent 340B Duplicate Discounts
March 25, 2024 12:30 - 22 minutes - 25.8 MBOne of the most important elements of 340B compliance is preventing duplicate discounts. Ensuring there are no duplicate discounts is high on the list of compliance concerns for covered entities, and it is one of the major items that 340B auditors look for. But how do these entities ensure they stay compliant? On this episode, we speak to Melissa Bruce, an ACE-certified compliance analyst for the 340B Programs Team at UNC Health in North Carolina, to learn more. Compliance factors...
How Do 340B Child Site Eligibility Changes Affect Hospitals?
March 11, 2024 12:30 - 16 minutes - 18.9 MB340B hospitals can register certain outpatient locations with the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) as 340B child sites, which allows them to use 340B drugs. HRSA recently announced some changes to how it had been determining this eligibility during the COVID-19 public health emergency. How have these changes affected 340B hospitals, particularly those that had planned new child sites under the previous policy? For the answers to this question and more, we spoke to C...
How To Get Through a 340B Audit
February 26, 2024 13:30 - 16 minutes - 18.6 MBThe Health Resources & Services Administration audits 200 covered entities each year for compliance with 340B rules. We speak with Mark Capuano, senior director of the corporate pharmacy 340B program at New York City Health and Hospitals, about what hospitals should expect when they find out they will be going through a 340B audit. How a hospital can prepare for a 340B audit Auditors typically will ask to schedule a pre-site visit call and will provide a data request list for the ...
How New 340B Reporting Requirements Are Affecting Hospitals
February 12, 2024 13:30 - 17 minutes - 20.2 MB340B sits at an intersection where federal programs and state agencies come together. Maine, Minnesota, and Washington recently enacted new laws requiring hospitals to report 340B information to the states each year. What should health systems know about these new requirements? We speak with Danny Ackert, the director of state government relations at the Minnesota Hospital Association, to learn more about what these requirements look like in his state and what hospitals might expect...
Answering More of Your 340B Questions
January 29, 2024 13:30 - 18 minutes - 21.3 MBWe are returning to a popular episode format we aired early last year, when we consulted with 340B Health’s expert staff to answer your most pertinent 340B questions. As we start another busy year for 340B, we help you prepare for the action by answering your questions about the Genesis court decision, 340B activity in state legislatures, Medicare Part B repayments, and more. Patient Definition After the Genesis Decision One listener wonders how the recent Genesis court decision...
Advice for 340B Hospitals Pursuing Health Equity
January 08, 2024 13:30 - 18 minutes - 21.7 MBEpisode Description: The 340B drug pricing program can produce significant savings that hospitals can invest in more equitable care for underserved patients. What are some of the best ways for hospitals to use their savings in the pursuit of greater health equity? We sit down with Danielle McPherson, the executive director of managed care contracting and operations with Mercy Health, to discuss how one Mercy hospital uses 340B savings to close health care gaps in the St. Louis area...
Major New Developments End an Exciting Year for 340B
December 18, 2023 13:30 - 21 minutes - 25.1 MBThe past several months have seen several major developments in the world of 340B drug pricing. 340B Health President and CEO Maureen Testoni returns to the show to break down some of the most important recent 340B stories. Landmark Federal Court Ruling on Patient Definition In November, a federal court in South Carolina ruled against the Health Resources & Services Administration for an unpublished interpretation of 340B patient definition guidelines the agency had been using in ...
How To Engage Your Leadership on 340B
November 13, 2023 13:30 - 21 minutes - 24.8 MBIn July, Karen Bowling became the new chair of the 340B Health Board of Directors. The West Virginia native is the president and CEO of Princeton Community Hospital and executive vice president of government affairs for West Virginia University Health System (WVU Medicine). In this episode, Bowling discusses her clinical and leadership experience, her 340B advocacy and communications work, and her advice for getting hospital and health system leaders engaged on 340B. Connecting ...
340B in the States: 2023 State Legislative Recap and 2024 Outlook
October 30, 2023 12:30 - 18 minutes - 20.9 MBThis week we are joined by Amanda Sellers Smith, legal counsel for 340B Health. Amanda tracks and responds to 340B state legislative and regulatory actions. She discusses recent developments in state-based legislation, including 340B reporting requirements, nondiscrimination prohibitions, and bans on drugmaker restrictions. She also looks ahead to what hospitals and their government relations departments can expect in 2024. Before the interview, we give an update on a set of unprece...
How Centralized Distribution Affects Healthcare
October 10, 2023 12:30 - 16 minutes - 19.4 MBCentralized distribution models can help health systems streamline day-to-day operations, including mitigating drug shortages, and maximizing contract compliance and efficiency. Jake Olson, 340B pharmacy manager at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, joins us to discuss how centralized distribution models have operationalized Froedtert’s 340B program. Mitigating Drug Shortages Inventory optimizing helps ensure organizations meet their resource demands....
340B Legislative and Regulatory Update from Maureen Testoni
September 25, 2023 12:30 - 20 minutes - 24 MBSeveral key developments in 340B-related legislation and regulation have occurred in recent weeks, and more are expected this fall. In this episode, Maureen Testoni returns to the show to give her updates on where 340B stands in Congress, in state legislatures, and with the administration. State Legislation Testoni notes how states such as Arkansas and Louisiana are leading the way on expanding protections for 340B, leading to changes in drugmaker behavior and lawsuits in federal ...
The Power of 340B Crosswalks
September 11, 2023 12:30 - 18 minutes - 20.8 MB340B compliance is essential to the integrity and success of the program, and data management across hospital departments is an essential element of compliance. By implementing data crosswalks, 340B hospitals can achieve greater program compliance and optimization. Anja Wilkinson, 340B program manager at St. Francis Health System in Tulsa, Okla., joins us to speak about best practices for 340B crosswalks and how interdepartmental coordination is key to maximizing the benefits of 340...
The Inflation Reduction Act's Impact on 340B
August 28, 2023 12:30 - 16 minutes - 19.4 MBThe Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was enacted last year, and it includes a significant drug pricing component that will affect 340B savings on some of the drugs that cost the most for Medicare. In this episode, we are joined by Meetali Desai, director of pharmacy business services at UMass Memorial Medical Center, to discuss the impact of the IRA on 340B hospitals and health systems. Uncovering the Effects of the Inflation Reduction Act. The IRA will result in unique changes to 340...
Annual 340B Recertification Is Here!
August 14, 2023 12:30 - 19 minutes - 22.2 MBIt’s that time of year again when your 340B hospital must go through the annual 340B recertification process. 340B Health’s vice president of pharmacy services Steven Miller joins us to discuss what 340B covered entities need to know about recertification and how to recertify without any errors. How the Recertification Process Works Steve explains the step-by-step process for covered entities to confirm and validate the accuracy of their information and ensure they are still elig...
How to Pursue a Career in 340B
July 31, 2023 12:30 - 20 minutes - 23.5 MBCindy Williams has critical advice for anyone wanting to start a career in 340B and pharmacy. Cindy is the vice president and chief pharmacy officer at Riverside Health System in Virginia. In this episode, she walks us through her 340B professional journey over the last three decades, from her initial dreams of having a career in health care to a leadership position that also involves managing a 340B program. She gives advice on building key relationships and driving impactful chang...
The Biggest Trends in Specialty Pharmacy
July 10, 2023 12:30 - 19 minutes - 22 MBSpecialty pharmacy trends have evolved significantly in recent years and even in the past few months. In this episode, Tim Paine, a specialty pharmacy expert who now heads up EPU Healthcare Consulting, dives into specialty pharmacy and its connection to the 340B program. Building off his decades of experience in pharmaceuticals and pharmacy, Tim discusses the high costs of specialty drugs, the crucial role of 340B discounts, and the challenges hospitals face navigating this ecosyste...
Maureen Testoni’s Update on the State of 340B
June 27, 2023 12:30 - 23 minutes - 54.3 MBAn increase in drug companies restricting 340B discounts and Capitol Hill action on 340B legislation are among several key recent developments that 340B professionals need to be aware of. In this episode, Maureen Testoni, president and CEO of 340B Health, discusses this activity and what it means for the 340B community. Drug Company Restrictions on Contract Pharmacies Maureen shares her concerns about the increasing restrictions, their effects on hospital access to 340B discounts, ...
Best Practices for Managing 340B Pharmacy Supply
June 05, 2023 12:30 - 20 minutes - 23.3 MB340B hospitals must navigate the challenging world of pharmacy supply chain management, in which they must balance budget constraints while providing high-quality care to all their patients. In this episode, we explore best practices for how hospitals can manage the 340B pharmacy supply chain. Our guest is Ashley Covert, system director of pharmacy supply chain and contracting at Dartmouth Health. Before the interview, we give an update on two problematic bills approved by the Hou...
A Deeper Dive into Claims Submission Conditions
May 15, 2023 12:30 - 20 minutes - 23.7 MBSeveral of the drug companies restricting 340B discounts on drugs dispensed at contract pharmacies have created policies that say they will restore the 340B prices if covered entities submit patient claims data. In this episode, we dive deeper into these claims submission conditions with Jesse Breidenbach, vice president of pharmacy at Sanford Health and a member of the 340B Health Board of Directors. Jesse shares best practices for navigating the challenges when drug manufacturers demand c...
The Data on 340B Contract Pharmacy Restrictions
May 01, 2023 12:30 - 18 minutes - 20.9 MBA recent report from 340B Health includes data on how drug company restrictions on 340B hospital partnerships with community and specialty contract pharmacies have taken a toll on the health care safety net and the patients who rely on it. On this episode, we speak with the report’s author, 340B Health Vice President of Research and Policy Analytics Caroline Steinberg, to walk through the findings and discuss what they mean for 340B hospitals and their patients. Before the interview...
Advancing Maternal Health Through 340B
April 17, 2023 12:30 - 20 minutes - 23.4 MB340B contributes vital resources toward the pursuit of health equity for historically underserved communities. As we recognize National Minority Health Month, we speak with Fatimah Muhammad, director of 340B pharmaceutical services and drug replacement at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, N.J. Fatimah discusses how her hospital uses 340B to address maternal health disparities, including support for a birth center to improve maternal health outcomes. Before the inte...
A Hospital CEO’s Advice for 340B Professionals
April 03, 2023 12:30 - 19 minutes - 21.8 MB340B helps health systems and hospitals stretch their resources and provide more services to patients in need. This makes 340B important to a hospital or health system leadership team’s ability to plan how it will deliver care. In this episode, we speak with Matthew Perry, president and CEO of Genesis Healthcare System in Zanesville, Ohio. Matt shares his perspective about 340B and how 340B professionals can best engage with their hospital CEO. Prior to the interview, we share findi...
340B Internal Audits
March 20, 2023 12:30 - 16 minutes - 19.1 MB340B compliance is a critical requirement for hospitals participating in the program, and one of the ways 340B hospitals maintain compliance is through conducting internal audits. For this episode, we speak with Tristan Greer, 340B program business manager at Catholic Health in Buffalo, N.Y. Tristan has significant experience conducting 340B internal audits at the health system, and she shares several best practices for a successful internal audit. Before the interview, we provide a...
How One State Protected 340B
March 06, 2023 13:30 - 20 minutes - 24 MBState policymakers have increased the attention they are paying to 340B. In this episode, we hear from 340B state advocacy expert Abby Reale. Abby is director of government and external affairs with Mountain Health Network in West Virginia. The state has been a leader in protecting 340B, and she shares how her health system worked with other hospitals and provider organizations to advocate for the first 340B non-discrimination law in the nation. Prior to the interview, we provide a ...
Making IT Work With 340B
February 21, 2023 13:30 - 19 minutes - 22.5 MBHealth information technology (IT) is intertwined with 340B operations and compliance. So how can hospitals and health systems manage IT while keeping 340B in mind? To find out, we hear from Robert Owens, director of pharmacy enterprise shared services at Atrium Health. Bob is a pharmacy health IT expert, and he shares how the technology intersects with 340B. He also shares insights to ensure strong 340B operations and compliance when undergoing an electronic health records (EHR) sy...
Maureen Testoni’s Outlook for 340B In 2023
February 06, 2023 13:30 - 26 minutes - 61.6 MBSeveral 340B developments have occurred in the first weeks of 2023, with many more expected to come this year. In this episode, we speak with 340B Health President and CEO Maureen Testoni about her outlook for 340B. Our discussion includes her analysis of the latest in the 340B contract pharmacy dispute, the 340B advocacy landscape at the federal and state levels, and Medicare issues affecting 340B. *Editor’s note: We spoke with Maureen prior to Bayer and EMD Serono announcing they...
Your 340B Questions Answered
January 24, 2023 13:30 - 22 minutes - 51.6 MBWe often receive listener questions about 340B issues and developments that affect professionals in the 340B world. In this episode, we open the listener virtual mailbag and answer some of your questions with help from our 340B Health staff experts. Some of the questions we tackle include queries about mitigating 340B contract pharmacy restrictions, understanding 340B patient definition, analyzing current 340B hospital audit trends, and examining Medicare Advantage payment rates for...
Home Infusion and 340B Considerations
January 09, 2023 13:30 - 20 minutes - 22.9 MBProviding care beyond hospital walls is a growing trend for 340B hospitals. One service that health systems provide outside of the hospital setting is home infusion care. On our first episode of 2023, we are joined by David Klinger and Seth Gazes from Geisinger Health to hear how 340B hospitals can establish home infusion care and the 340B considerations they should keep in mind. Prior to the interview, we provide an update on the 19th drug company to restrict 340B discounts for dru...
Educating Your Hospital Colleagues About 340B
December 19, 2022 13:30 - 15 minutes - 17.9 MB340B professionals are not the only hospital staff who need to know about 340B. That is why it is important that 340B professionals educate their colleagues about the program and what it means for clinical care and patient care operations. For our final episode of the year, 340B professional Ryan Atherton joins us to share the strategies he has deployed to help his colleagues better understand 340B’s role in the patient care mission. Ryan formerly was the 340B program manager at Yak...
What the Midterm Election Results Mean for 340B
December 05, 2022 13:30 - 20 minutes - 23.5 MBThe recent election results have implications for the future of U.S. health policy and the 340B program. Health policy experts Debbie Curtis and Rodney Whitlock join us this week to discuss how the new Congress will affect 340B and how individuals can best engage in educating and advocating for the program. Debbie and Rodney are vice presidents at McDermott + Consulting and previously were congressional staffers. Before the interview, we provide an update on the litigation process i...
Managing 340B in a Rural Hospital
November 14, 2022 13:30 - 19 minutes - 22.4 MBNov. 17 is National Rural Health Day, which is an opportunity to celebrate the importance of rural hospitals to patients living in remote communities. We are joined by Karen McCombs, 340B program manager for Wills Memorial Hospital in Georgia. Karen shares her tips for managing her critical access hospital’s 340B program in a compliant and efficient manner to support patient care initiatives. Before the interview, we provide updates on the 2023 Medicare payment rate for 340B drugs a...
Congressman Henry Waxman Reflects on 30 Years of 340B
November 04, 2022 12:30 - 22 minutes - 25.7 MBOn Nov. 4, 1992, President George H.W. Bush signed the 340B drug pricing program into law. To celebrate 30 years of 340B, we speak on today’s episode with former Congressman Henry Waxman, who was one of the principal architects of the 340B program. Congressman Waxman served in Congress for 40 years from 1975-2015. During part of that time, he chaired the influential U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee and U.S. House Government & Oversight Committee. Chairman Waxman shares why ...
Moving Patients from Emergency Care to Coordinated Care
October 24, 2022 12:30 - 20 minutes - 24 MBWhen Hennepin Medical Center saw that some of their patients were frequently visiting the emergency department for all their health care needs, they recognized how vital it was to find a better way to care for them. Our guest this week is Christene Jolowsky, senior director of pharmacy at Hennepin Healthcare. Christene shares how Hennepin has used 340B savings to operate a coordinated care clinic that meets the health and social needs of their patients. Prior to the interview, we pr...
A 30-Year Perspective on 340B
October 11, 2022 12:30 - 19 minutes - 44.2 MBAll this year we are reflecting on the approaching 30th anniversary of the 340B program and celebrating the patient care successes the program has enabled over the past three decades. This week, we are joined by Andrew Lowe, clinical director of pharmacy at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in California. Arrowhead has participated in 340B since the first days that hospitals were eligible for the program. Andy has had a front-row seat the entire time to see the difference 340B has m...
Maureen Testoni Analyzes Recent 340B Developments
September 26, 2022 12:30 - 24 minutes - 27.9 MBIt has been an eventful summer for 340B, and we are checking in this week with 340B Health President and CEO Maureen Testoni to hear her analysis on the top 340B developments. Maureen provides updates on issues that include the contract pharmacy dispute, Medicare payment cuts, and the new drug pricing law. She also shares a preview of what may occur in the fall. 340B Contract Pharmacy Dispute Continues The number of companies currently restricting 340B discounts has grown. Maure...
How to Manage Drug Shortages
September 12, 2022 12:30 - 17 minutes - 19.8 MBDrug shortages occurring throughout the U.S. health system can lead to delays for patients receiving the medications they need. 340B hospitals face unique challenges with avoiding and managing drug shortages. We are joined by Cescilly Smith-Jenkins, 340B program director at Ascension Wisconsin, to find out how 340B hospitals can address shortage problems effectively. Why Drug Shortages Happen There are several factors behind drug shortages. Cescilly explains how drug shortages ar...
Pharmacy Technician Shortages
August 29, 2022 12:30 - 20 minutes - 23.4 MBPharmacy technicians play key roles in hospital 340B program operations, but pharmacy technician staffing shortages are occurring in hospitals throughout the nation. We’re joined by Dr. Tyffani Wingfield with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) to discuss how the shortages are affecting hospitals, the pharmacy technician workforce, and 340B. Tyffani also shares potential solutions. Before the interview, we discuss recently enacted federal drug pricing legislatio...
Are You Ready for 340B Recertification?
August 15, 2022 12:30 - 23 minutes - 54 MBIt’s that time of year again to make sure your health system or hospital has everything it needs for the 340B recertification period. 340B Health Vice President of Pharmacy Services Steven Miller returns to the podcast to discuss what is new this year for the recertification process, go over the recertification steps, and provide best practices to recertify without any errors. What’s New for Recertification Steve shares the dates that recertification will take place this year an...
340B Inventory Management
July 25, 2022 12:30 - 15 minutes - 17.9 MBInventory management is a major responsibility for many 340B professionals. Today, we’re joined by Melissa Antonopoulos, senior 340B internal auditor at Memorial Healthcare System, to learn more. She discusses the intersection of 340B and inventory management and goes over practices for ensuring hospitals and their patients have the medications they need. In our news segment, we cover a new letter on contract pharmacy from Congress to the Department of Health and Human Services and ...
A Specialty Pharmacy Case Study
July 11, 2022 12:30 - 20 minutes - 24 MBMany 340B hospital professionals want to know how to operate an efficient specialty pharmacy that improves patient health outcomes. This week, we are joined by Betty Fang, director of ambulatory, specialty, and retail pharmacy at AdventHealth Great Lakes Region, formerly part of AMITA Health. Betty discusses how she helped lead a team that embedded specialty pharmacists into an oncology clinic. The team researched how the initiative improved patient health outcomes and increased 340...
U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Medicare Cuts to 340B
June 27, 2022 12:30 - 17 minutes - 20.3 MBThe U.S. Supreme Court issued a major decision earlier this month regarding Medicare Part B cuts for 340B drugs. We’re joined by Amanda Nagrotsky, senior counsel for 340B Health to understand what implications this decision holds for 340B hospitals. This Decision was Years in the Making Amanda provides important background on the Medicare Part B cuts and the different court cases that led to the U.S. Supreme Court deciding the case. An Important Victory for 340B Hospitals Aman...
How Data Analytics Support Your 340B Program
June 06, 2022 12:30 - 17 minutes - 19.7 MBThis week, we are joined by Bhupinder Kaur, business analyst and 340B coordinator with NorthBay Healthcare Group in California. Bhupinder presented at the 340B Coalition 2021 Winter Conference on data analysis and shares with us important information that 340B professionals need to know about best practices. Before the interview, we highlight a recently published op-ed on the critical role of 340B savings during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. A Day in the Life of a 340B Analy...
A 340B Update from the State Level
May 23, 2022 12:30 - 20 minutes - 23.4 MBIt’s our 50th episode! This week we are joined by Amanda Sellers Smith, legal counsel for 340B Health. Amanda is responsible for tracking and responding to 340B state legislative and regulatory actions. Even though 340B is a federal program, its close relationship with state Medicaid programs often keeps it on the agendas of state lawmakers and health officials. Amanda discusses what listeners need to know about recent 340B activity in the states. Before the interview, we give an up...
Using 340B Savings to Tackle Health Disparities
May 09, 2022 12:30 - 22 minutes - 25.5 MBThis week, we are joined by Coletta Barrett, vice president of mission at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. Our Lady of the Lake (OLOL) is using its 340B savings to pursue health equity initiatives. Coletta shares best practices and provides inspiration for how 340B professionals can work toward eliminating health disparities in their hospitals and communities. Before the interview, we share updates on a new 340B Health survey report demonstrating the harm to hospitals a...
How You Can Advocate for 340B – and Why You Should
April 25, 2022 12:30 - 19 minutes - 22.3 MBThis week, we are joined by Laurie Chiumento, director of federal relations and healthcare policy at UR Medicine, the health system for the University of Rochester in New York. Laurie is an expert on how health systems and hospitals can advocate and promote their legislative priorities to members of Congress. She shares advice to hospitals that are preparing to speak with their elected officials about 340B issues or are considering doing so. She also discusses advocacy days in D.C.,...
Celebrating the 340B Ceiling Price Website’s Success
April 11, 2022 12:30 - 18 minutes - 21.7 MBThis week, we are joined by Steven Miller, vice president of pharmacy services at 340B Health. April 1 was the third anniversary of the federal 340B ceiling price website’s launch. Steve discusses how this database has become an invaluable tool for 340B drug pricing transparency. Before the interview, our news update shares how HRSA escalated enforcement actions against one of the companies restricting 340B discounts. The update also notes the release of 340B Health’s 2021 annual su...
340B Check-in with Maureen Testoni
March 29, 2022 12:30 - 22 minutes - 26.2 MBThis week, we are joined for the latest in our regular check-ins with 340B Health President and CEO Maureen Testoni. Maureen analyzes the top issues in 340B that occurred in the early months of 2022. These include updates on the 340B community pharmacy dispute and a new law that protects 340B eligibility for hospitals serving on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drug Company 340B Restriction Trends There now are 16 companies restricting 340B discounts to safety-net hospi...
How to Build a Hospital’s 340B Team
March 14, 2022 12:30 - 20 minutes - 47.1 MBThis week, we are joined by Paul Mollo, national director of medication outcomes disparity at Ascension. Paul discusses what skills and professional backgrounds hospitals consider when building a team to operate their 340B programs and ensure compliance. He also shares overall 340B staffing trends. Before the interview, our news update covers the appointment of a new HRSA Office of Pharmacy Affairs director. 340B Team Structure Paul explains how Ascension’s 340B team is structur...
340B-Related Inquiries and Self-Disclosures
February 28, 2022 13:00 - 21 minutes - 48.2 MBThis week, we are joined by Emily Cook, partner at McDermott Will & Emery LLP. At the 340B Coalition Winter Conference, Emily spoke on a new panel about the importance of 340B professionals understanding compliance issues related to 340B that are not covered by the 340B statute. We hear from her about that session, including the process for preparing for government inquiries and the need for hospitals to self-disclose government overpayments. Before the interview, we provide updates...