Intern Perspectives: Philip Mercado, AMCP Foundation/Pfizer, Inc. Oncology Internship

This summer, I had the privilege of serving as an AMCP Foundation/Pfizer Oncology Intern with 
Priority Health. The experience was more than just a training program it was a journey of growth, gratitude, and discovery that deepened my passion for managed care pharmacy and oncology access.

Before beginning my internship, I completed the AMCP Managed Care Fundamentals course, which provided a stronger foundation and prepared me for the experience ahead. This preparation gave me 
the confidence to contribute meaningfully during rotations and reinforced that I was ready to build upon my managed care knowledge. During my 10-week internship, I rotated across multiple departments, learning how cross-functional collaboration drives better access outcomes. From formulary review and utilization management to compliance, Stars quality, and analytics, I experienced firsthand how payers, PBMs, and manufacturer evidence teams work together. I also adopted an agile mindset, iterating on projects, gathering feedback, and adapting quickly to shifting priorities

A critical part of my learning involved navigating the complexity of Medicare and Medicaid. I gained hands-on experience with Medicare Part B versus Part D coverage decisions, understanding how 
drugs may shift between benefits depending on their route of administration and CMS requirements. I also participated in Stars and adherence compliance reviews, where I saw how measures like medication adherence directly tie to CMS Star Ratings and payer quality performance.

In utilization management, I learned to process oncology prior authorizations and review claims using CMS rules, LCD/NCD policies, and NCCN guidelines with compendia support. This experience taught me how evidence is applied in real time to ensure treatments are both clinically appropriate and policy compliant.

Some of my key projects included:
• Case study and recommendation for step-therapy compliance protocol aligned with CMS policy
• Developing a white-bagging eligibility framework for costly oncology agents
• Designing and implementing interactive dashboards for AMCP Capstone and Journal Club presentations

I also gained valuable insight into how PBMs and payers collaborate to co-design programs tailored to different lines of business and populations. Understanding this dynamic gave me a unique perspective on the complexities of benefit design and reinforced the importance of payer-manufacturer partnerships through Oncology Medical Outcomes.

I am especially excited to present my poster, "Evaluating Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Incidence Trends and Geographic Disparities Among Adults Aged 20–50 in Michigan," at AMCP Nexus 2025 in National Harbor, MD. This research reflects the intersection of data, access, and equity that I became passionate about this summer.

Above all, I am grateful to the people who guided me. Drake Reiter at Priority Health and Tom Walters at Pfizer Oncology invested deeply in my learning and gave me space to learn, ask questions and lead. Ebony Clay and Anne Fentress offered wisdom, encouragement, and constant support that shaped my confidence. I also want to thank the Priority Health team, the Pfizer Oncology/OMO teams, 
and our PAML and FMD colleagues for welcoming me as a true collaborator. Additionally, I'm grateful to Florida A&M College of Pharmacy for their support in growing managed care opportunities on campus.

This internship confirmed my desire to pursue a residency or fellowship in managed care, focusing on oncology access, formulary strategy, and HEOR. Most importantly, it showed me that bridging evidence and fostering partnerships between payers, PBMs, and manufacturers can open new pathways to care for patients who need it most.

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