Closing the Gaps: How NiHowdy Supports Employees When Health Plans Fall Short

Closing the Gaps: How NiHowdy Supports Employees When Health Plans Fall Short

Navigating medication coverage is one of the most complex challenges HR leaders face. Restrictive formularies, uncovered prescriptions, and limited pharmacy networks leave employees struggling to afford essential medications—or worse, skipping them entirely. NiHowdy bridges these gaps, offering a flexible solution that complements existing health plans while addressing unmet needs. Here’s how it works.

When Health Plans Exclude Critical Medications

The Challenge

Health plan formularies often omit newer, specialized, or off-label medications. For example:

• Weight management: Wegovy or Zepbound for obesity
• Migraines: Nurtec ODT or Ubrelvy
• Chronic conditions: MS therapies, cancer treatments, or rare disease drugs

Employees facing these exclusions must pay out of pocket, ration medications, or abandon treatment altogether.

The NiHowdy Solution

Employees save up to 85% on excluded prescriptions at 65,000+ pharmacies. For example:

• A $250 migraine medication drops to $38/month
• A $450/month weight management drug costs just $68

No prior authorization or step therapy is required—employees use their NiHowdy card at checkout.

Reducing Out-of-Pocket Costs for Covered Medications

The Challenge

Even covered medications can burden employees with high copays or deductibles. A $75 copay for ADHD medication might lead to skipped doses, impacting focus and productivity.

The NiHowdy Solution

Employees use NiHowdy alongside insurance to lower costs further:

• A $75 copay drops to $15 with NiHowdy’s discount
• Earn 5% back in Bitcoin on every transaction (e.g., $0.75 on a $15 purchase)

Over time, Bitcoin rewards can grow into meaningful savings. For instance, $15/month in Bitcoin rewards could increase to $135+ in three years (at 50% annual growth).

Supporting Employees’ Furry Family Members

The Challenge

68% of U.S. households own pets, but health plans rarely cover veterinary prescriptions (e.g., Apoquel for pet allergies). Employees often sacrifice their healthcare to afford pet medications.

The NiHowdy Solution

• Pet prescriptions included: The same 25-40% discounts apply at major pharmacies.
• Example: A $120/month pet allergy medication costs $72 with NiHowdy.

Employees save an average of $576/year on pet care, reducing financial stress and improving workplace focus.

Breaking Free from Pharmacy Restrictions

The Challenge

Many health plans limit employees to specific pharmacy networks. Remote workers, frequent travelers, or those in rural areas may have to drive long distances to fill prescriptions.

The NiHowdy Solution

Employees use NiHowdy at any major pharmacy, including:

• CVS
• Walgreens
• Costco
• Local independent pharmacies

There is no need to switch plans or pharmacies—present the NiHowdy card at checkout.

Real-World Impact: Turning Savings into Stability

A mid-sized manufacturing company faced these exact issues. After adopting NiHowdy:

• Employees saved $182,000 annually on uncovered medications and pet prescriptions.
• Bitcoin reserve: Accumulated 0.12 BTC ($10,800) in Year 1 to fund a mental health stipend.
• Outcome: 22% fewer sick days and 17% lower turnover in departments with chronic condition patients.

Why HR Leaders Choose NiHowdy

1. Zero cost: No fees for employers or employees.
2. No implementation: Works alongside existing plans—no IT integration.
3. Turnover reduction: 73% lower attrition among employees using NiHowdy.
4. Future-proofing: Bitcoin reserves hedge against 6.4% annual healthcare inflation.

Why NiHowdy Stands Apart

Unlike traditional discount cards (e.g., GoodRx, SingleCare), NiHowdy offers:

1. Bitcoin rewards for employees and a corporate reserve for employers
2. Pet prescription coverage is missing from most plans
3. Transparent pricing without hidden fees (unlike programs profiting from PBM markups)
4. Pharmacy flexibility for remote or traveling employees

Next Steps for HR Teams

1. Explore the Data: See how NiHowdy compares to your current plan’s formulary.
2. Calculate Savings: Estimate employee and corporate benefits using our ROI tool.
3. Schedule a Demo: Learn to implement NiHowdy in 72 hours with zero IT integration.

By addressing coverage gaps and reducing financial stress, NiHowdy helps HR leaders foster a healthier, more productive workforce—all while building long-term organizational resilience.

NiHowdy is not insurance. Bitcoin rewards subject to market fluctuations. Savings based on 2025 average pricing.