"If employers do not think that they are in the healthcare business, they are sadly mistaken. Every employer is in the healthcare business whether they want to or not." - Stephanie Koch

I’m super excited about this week’s episode: the Empowering Employers live panel show that we recorded in front of a live audience on June 18th. I was joined on-stage by an all-star group of guests: Rachel Strauss, Kimberly Carleson, Kristen Rivers, and Stephanie Koch.

Together, we discussed some of the biggest challenges and opportunities for employers in today’s market; the diversity of perspectives on-stage made this a super insightful podcast, and whether you’re an employer, consultant, or solution provider, there’s a lot you’ll take away.

We also had live Q&A after the main podcast, with some hard-hitting questions from Omar Arif, Elaine Davis, and more.

Tune in this week to learn how we can better empower employers!

Chapters:

(00:00:00) The Empowering Employers Live Show, with Q&A
(00:13:00) How Do We Get More Transparent Healthcare Pricing?
(00:21:25) What Is The PBM’s Role In Better Healthcare Strategies?
(00:29:00) Lowering Healthcare Costs Through Claim Review
(00:40:11) PBM Reform Through Strategic Legal Actions
(00:48:45) How Do We Pay For GLP-1s?
(01:01:22) Live Audience Q&A
(01:38:10) Final Thoughts From Each Panelist

Key Links for Social:

@SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFunded

Listen/watch on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02

Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286

Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/

Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/

"There is no such thing as a health or medical problem for which we are not your partner." - David Silverstein

The U.S. healthcare system is the third-largest economy on the planet, which makes expecting patients to navigate all of its complexities pretty unrealistic. This week’s guest, David Silverstein, is aiming to make healthcare simpler for the end user, steering them when appropriate to the best care and becoming their first point of contact with the healthcare system.

David explains why the system is designed to create friction, from unnecessary tests to proprietary pricing that hides the true cost of care. He also told me about his experience trying to get legislation passed that would make healthcare costs more transparent, and the lobbying groups he ran up against in that attempt.

Tune in this week to learn how we make healthcare simpler for Americans!

Chapters:

(00:00:00) How Do We Make Healthcare Simpler? | with David Silverstein
(00:06:30) Streamlining Healthcare With Modern Tech
(00:12:37) Pushing For More Transparent Healthcare Legislation
(00:22:30) Fair Pricing for Informed Healthcare Decisions
(00:33:37) Virtual Healthcare Navigation and Coordination
(00:59:37) More Transparent Healthcare Costs

(01:15:22) Patient-Centered Healthcare

Key Links for Social:

@SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFunded

Listen/watch on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02

Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286

Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/

Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/

“As a broker, our job is counting cards against the system. Because everything catches up 5-10 years later. Every other broker, every other consultant gets in like, oh, that's a great idea. We're always trying to find the next little thing, and then the system eventually shuts it down because it messes with somebody's money." - Taylor Orton

What does it mean to be on the bleeding edge of employee benefits? My next guest, Taylor Orton, CEBS, of Cottingham & Butler, frames the work of a top consultant as “counting cards against the system”, and trying to continuously stay ahead of the market.

Taylor broke down several of the key areas of cost containment that are often employed by brokers and gave his take, as well as what it means to be on the “bleeding edge” of benefits. He also shared with me why cost containment doesn’t just mean lowering the “unit cost” of healthcare; it also means trying to reduce the number of “units”.

Much of this conversation was on the big picture of the healthcare landscape, so if you’re a self-funded geek, this one is for you.

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Why Brokers Need To Be Constantly Innovating | with Taylor Orton
(00:10:44) Optimizing Healthcare Benefits Plans
(00:16:14) Why Procurement Strategies Are So Key To Cost Management
(00:33:22) Market Forces' Impact on Healthcare Pricing
(00:46:54) Employer Transparency About Healthcare

Key Links for Social:

@SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFunded

Listen/watch on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02

Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286

Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/

Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/