Employer-sponsored insurance is reaching a tipping point. What was once a predictable 2–4% annual increase in employer health spending has given way to double digit growth, driven by surging drug costs, rising utilization across all age groups, and escalating provider rates. For many employers—especially smaller organizations with less margin for error—absorbing these costs is no longer viable. As economic conditions shift and the labor market cools, the balance of power between employers and employees is changing, opening the door to more aggressive cost-control strategies.

In this episode, host Rachel (Rae) Woods is joined by Advisory Board expert Sally Kim to unpack what’s behind the spike in employer health costs—and what employers are doing about it. They walk through the full “menu” of options now on the table, from benefit redesign and navigation tools to network strategy, direct contracting, and alternative funding models. The conversation explores what these moves mean for health plans and providers competing for commercial lives—and why understanding employer behavior is no longer optional.

We’re here to help:

• Ready-to-Use Slides | Market outlook for employer-sponsored insurance
• Listen | Ep. 232: The rise of ICHRAs: Why some employers are turning to the individual market
• Listen | Ep. 286: A Medicare Advantage reset — and what comes next
• Expert Insight | How employers are combating the ‘new normal’ for benefits costs with unconventional measures

How UT Southwestern closed genomic testing gaps in prostate cancer care

A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

In 2026, Radio Advisory is diving into the biggest questions shaping the future of healthcare. We aren’t just here to talk about challenges, we’re here to help you determine your next best action. Our first episode of the year drops Tuesday, January 13. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

We want to hear from you. What do you want to hear about in 2026? Where are you seeing opportunities or facing challenges you think we should explore? Email us at podcasts@advisory.com

We’re here to help:

• Read Advisory Board’s 2026 research agenda
• State of the Industry: Protecting access amid funding cuts
• State of the Industry: Managing spend amid rising costs

A top podcast for healthcare leaders, with over one million downloads, Radio Advisory is your weekly download on how to untangle the industry's most pressing challenges to help leaders like you make the best business decisions for your organization.

From unpacking major trends in care delivery—like site-of-care shifts and the rise of high-cost drugs—to demystifying stakeholder dynamics, to shining a spotlight on priorities that may get overlooked, we're here to help. Our hosts and seasoned researchers talk with industry experts to equip you with knowledge to confront today's unanswered questions in healthcare. New episodes drop every Tuesday.

For life sciences companies, access and adoption of clinical products is no longer as simple as demonstrating strong outcomes at a fair price. As payers and providers face mounting financial pressure and operational complexity, they are scrutinizing their partners more closely — expecting clearer evidence, more relevant value narratives, and support that reflects real world constraints.

In this episode, host Rachel (Rae) Woods sits down with Advisory Board experts Gina Lohr and Nick Hula to unpack how med tech and pharma companies should adapt their product and partnership strategies. Together, they explore why a single value story no longer works — and how life sciences organizations can better align their products, evidence, and engagement strategies to meet the rising expectations of payers, health systems, ambulatory leaders, clinicians, and patients.

We’re here to help:

• Expert insight | The top 5 trends impacting med tech strategies in 2026
• Expert insight | 5 trends shaping pharma strategy for 2026 (and how to adapt)
• Podcast | Ep. 242: How you should rethink your life sciences-health system partnerships

How Highlands Oncology expanded access to oral oncolytics treatment

A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

As health systems pursue growth beyond traditional avenues, the role of the strategic planner is becoming increasingly complex. High level directional data is no longer enough — achieving meaningful, differentiated growth now requires leveraging granular, sophisticated data to inform investment decisions.

In this episode, host Rachel Woods sits down with Advisory Board experts Sebastian Beckman and Ellie Wiles to explore how health systems can rethink strategic planning for 2026 and beyond. Together, they unpack what it should actually look like to democratize data, why data governance matters just as much as data access, and how service line leaders can partner with planners to make faster, more precise, margin savvy decisions.

We’re here to help:

• Podcast | 289: What are health systems doing in 2026? Results from our survey are in.
• Playlist | Radio Advisory Provider Strategy and Financial Outlook Playlist
• Case Study | How UT Southwestern closed genomic testing gaps in prostate cancer care
• ICYMI: Webinar | The top 10 trends impacting health systems in 2026
• Tools | Check out Advisory Board’s Market Scenario Planner and other Advisory Board analytics and data tools to inform your strategy for growth, cost control and more.

Comprehensive women’s healthcare: Redefining the standard of care

A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

How did health systems perform in 2025, and which strategic growth priorities are top-of-mind for 2026?

Health systems have entered the year with both momentum from buoyed volumes, and mounting pressure as those volumes don’t necessarily translate to healthy margin.

This week, host Abby Burns sits down with Advisory Board expert Marisa Nives and Optum consulting expert Alex Kist to unpack results from Advisory Board’s annual Strategic Planner Survey. They explore how health systems are—and aren’t—running at growth, and what separates the systems that are able to turn volumes and revenue into margin, from those that aren’t.

Be sure to catch next week’s episode, when Advisory Board experts discuss the data that planners need (and often lack) to make these strategic decisions with confidence in 2026.

We’re here to help:

• Webinar | The 5 growth levers to help make your health system stronger (not just bigger)
• ICYMI: Webinar | The top 10 trends impacting health systems in 2026
• Report | 6 ways to reduce referral leakage from primary to specialty care
• Report | 3 ways to pursue differentiated growth for your service lines
• Episode | Ep. 225: Patients are back – so why aren't hospital margins?
• Playlist | Radio Advisory Provider Strategy and Financial Outlook playlist
• Expert Insight | 3 trends shaping healthcare in 2026 (and how to respond)
• Connect with an Optum expert | https://optum.co/3vrzyw

Real-time transparency infographic

A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

After a turbulent 2025, the early months of 2026 are proving that the policy landscape isn’t quieting down. Federal agencies are rolling out new payment models, lawmakers are revisiting long debated rules, and courts continue to shape what policies move forward and which stall. From value based payment to drug pricing and site of care policy, leaders are navigating a fast shifting environment with real implications for finances, operations, and long term strategy.

In this episode, host Abby Burns invites three Advisory Board experts to break down the major policy forces that leaders need to watch now:

• [1:35] Clare Wirth explains the newest wave of value based payment models out of CMMI, and what they signal about this administration’s posture toward value-based care.
• [10:20] Nick Hula explores how site neutral payments, the return of inpatient only list changes, and state level certificate of need laws could accelerate site of care shifts.
• [20:51] Chloe Bakst unpacks the chaos surrounding 340B — from the halted rebate pilot to impacts of HR1 and emerging state reporting requirements — and the decisions leaders must make today to prepare for what’s coming next.

We’re here to help:

• Webinar | How to be successful under TEAM
• Cheat sheet | 340B Drug Pricing Program
• Ready-to-Use Resource | Policy Scenario Impact Calculator
• Expert Insight | How policy changes will impact your bottom line
• Expert Insight | Inside CMS' final rule changes for 2026
• Stay Informed | Healthcare Policy Updates Timeline

Radio Advisory’s Health Policy playlist

Webinar | Join Optum Advisory experts at this upcoming webinar to learn how optimizing patient access unlocks the value of digital innovations and drives long-term sustainability

A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

Infusion services make up a roughly $150 billion market in the U.S., and underpin the financial stability of major service lines, especially oncology. Historically, health systems have enjoyed strong volumes, favorable reimbursement, and access to 340B discounts that keep their infusion business profitable. But rising competition, payer and employer driven site of care shifts, and looming policy changes are putting pressure on what many leaders have relied on as a stable, margin accretive business.

In this episode, host Abby Burns sits down with Advisory Board expert Chloe Bakst to break down what’s actually happening in the infusion market — and why every health system leader should be paying closer attention. Together, they explore how new competitors are capturing leakage you may not even see, how payers and employers are steering patients away from hospital outpatient departments, and how upcoming 340B reforms and Medicare drug price negotiations could reshape the economics of infusion over the next three years. Chloe also shares the strategies forward thinking systems are using to protect their infusion business and prepare for rapidly emerging headwinds.

We’re here to help:

• Webinar | The top trends in today’s infusion market
• Tool | Market Scenario Planner
• Ready-to-Use Resource | Policy Scenario Impact Calculator
• Expert Insight | The 3 trends reshaping the specialty drug pipeline today
• Podcast | 270: Service line snapshot: What every health leader needs to know

Webinar | Join Optum Advisory experts at this upcoming webinar to learn how optimizing patient access unlocks the value of digital innovations and drives long-term sustainability.

Expert Insight | How data-driven risk reduction protects patients and providers

A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.