Join us for another episode of Bending the Trend hosted by Norm Volsky, where we sit down with Brooks Deibele, EVP at Holmes Murphy, to discuss how employers can rethink digital health solutions, point solutions, and virtual primary care to create smarter, more cost effective healthcare strategies.

In this episode, Brooks shares actionable insights on what actually drives ROI in employee health programs and why employers should expect measurable outcomes from their healthcare investments. From virtual primary care and DPC models to innovative point solutions like Hinge Health and Galileo, this conversation dives into the real strategies helping employers reduce unnecessary costs while improving the member experience.

We also explore the importance of early detection, employee engagement, and giving members flexible healthcare options that are simple and easy to use. Brooks explains why controlling referrals is one of the biggest opportunities in healthcare cost management and how preventative care models are reshaping the future of employer sponsored healthcare.

“ROI should be at least two to one.”

Brooks shares some of the solutions and strategies helping employers move the needle today:

-Hinge Health
-Galileo
-Virtual Primary Care
-Direct Primary Care (DPC)
-Early Detection & Intervention Strategies

Brooks Deibele works closely with employers to build innovative healthcare strategies focused on improving outcomes, increasing engagement, and controlling long term healthcare costs.

📊 ROI Expectations: Why healthcare programs should deliver measurable value
🩺 Virtual Primary Care: How accessible care can lower long term costs
💡 Point Solutions: What separates effective vendors from ineffective ones
🎯 Cost Control: Why referral management matters more than most employers realize
🚀 Healthcare Innovation: How employers are modernizing benefits strategies

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Join us for another amazing episode of Bending the Trend hosted by Norm Volsky, this week I sit down with Niko Caparisos, founder of community-owned health plans, reveals the inside scoop on how strategic vendor choices and streamlined management can slash costs and boost member experience.

This episode exposes how small changes in setup—like choosing the right PBMs —can save your organization millions without sacrificing quality. Imagine transforming your healthcare spend with proven frameworks that prioritize quiet efficiency and flexible vendor engagement. Niko shares tangible results: from lowering pharmacy costs by structuring better PBM relationships to creating health plans so intuitive members barely notice they're using them. You'll discover specific vendors like Covet Health and Angle Health that stand out in their ability to deliver cost-effective solutions—plus the insider tactics for building scalable, reliable health plans that anticipate and solve issues before they escalate. Beyond numbers, you'll learn how a thoughtful, integrated approach to member education and tech development can double down on savings. Niko discusses the current gaps in healthcare tech—like the lack of seamless, embedded advocacy tools—and invites entrepreneurs to tackle this opportunity head-on. 

“This industry is in flux all the time.” We all know solutions are a moving target so let’s talk RESULTS TODAY! Niko shares some of his favorite solutions moving the needle: 

-Covet Health
-Angle Health
-Caprx
-Makorx 

Niko Caparisos is the founder of community-owned health plans, known for his innovative restructuring of health benefits to maximize cost savings and member value Ready to rethink healthcare from the ground up? Hit play and subscribe to join us for a conversation! 

📉  Cost Savings: Learn how strategic vendor choices can slash costs.
🤝 Vendor Engagement: Discover the power of flexible vendor relationships.
💡 Innovative Frameworks: Implement proven frameworks for efficiency.
🏥 Member Experience: Create intuitive health plans that members love.
🚀 Tech Opportunities: Explore gaps in healthcare tech for new solutions.

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Insights from Danny Seidman

In this episode, Norm Volsky welcomes healthcare advisor and founder of DHS Advisors, Danny Seidman, to discuss actionable strategies employers are using to control healthcare spend while improving quality. They explore innovative vendor solutions, primary care models, and future tech needs in healthcare navigation.

Key topics include:

The importance of self-insurance and direct primary care (DPC) integration

How to control referral pathways to reduce unnecessary costs

Recommended vendors like Salted Drug Primary Care, Hint, Apley, and Green Imaging

Benefits of direct contracting for imaging tests like MRIs and CT scans

Impact of effective primary care on reducing ER visits and readmissions

Future opportunities with AI-driven care navigation tools

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to healthcare cost management strategies for employers

00:50 - The value of self-insurance before adding direct primary care

01:07 - The critical role of primary care in controlling referral and costs

01:43 - The risks of hospital-based PCPs influencing cost and quality

02:13 - How direct primary care reduces unnecessary hospital referrals

02:56 - Vendor recommendations: Salted Drug, Hint, Apley, Plum Health, and others

03:43 - Point solution providers for specific conditions, such as Green Imaging

04:50 - The ROI of direct contracting for imaging services

06:12 - Impact of good primary care on clinical outcomes and hospital readmissions

07:14 - The need for innovative care navigation tools powered by AI

07:51 - Future tech: AI models to integrate point solutions and optimize care pathways

08:25 - Wrap-up: Employers’ opportunity to leverage DPC and innovative vendors for better value

Join us for another great episode the Bending the Trend  Podcast, this week our host Norm Volsky sits down with Kristina Ewing, Director of Health and Wellbeing at Shoestring Valley Holdings. Kristina shares innovative strategies for reducing healthcare costs while improving employee outcomes. Her favorite strategies right now are Direct Primary Care and Direct Contracting. Sharing her positive experiences with Hint Health, HealthMe, and Regenexx.

From the power of Direct Primary Care (DPC) to smart direct contracting and cutting-edge orthopedic alternatives, Kristina explains how employers can take control of healthcare spending without sacrificing quality.

As she puts it, “Direct primary care has the biggest impact.” By focusing on proactive, personalized care, organizations are seeing meaningful improvements in both cost and experience.

You’ll also hear a powerful real-world example: “We saved $50,000 on that ankle surgery.” By leveraging alternative orthopedic treatments like Regenexx, unnecessary procedures can often be avoided—leading to major savings and faster recovery times.

Ultimately, these strategies are making a real difference: “Members are saving significant dollars.” Join us for this quick but informative episode!

Takeaways:
💡 How Direct Primary Care (DPC) improves access, lowers costs, and delivers better outcomes
💰 How direct contracting with providers creates transparency and significant savings
🦴 How alternative orthopedic treatments can help avoid expensive surgeries
📈 How innovative healthcare strategies are transforming employer health benefits

In this episode of the Bending the Trend we are thrilled to welcome Chloe Bright, Founder & Lead Consultant of Acumen Consultants, Inc. Chloe shares her expertise on innovative pharmacy solutions, including niche PBMs, pharmacogenomics, and future industry needs. Discover how these strategies can lead to significant cost savings and improved healthcare outcomes for employers and members.

Key Topics

💊 Niche PBMs and their advantages
🧬 Role of pharmacogenomics in cost savings
🚀 Emerging pharmacy technologies and solutions
⚠️ Industry challenges and future needs

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Chloe Bright and her expertise
00:19 Chloe's background in benefits and PBM consulting
00:43 Key qualities in selecting pharmacy vendors: Flexibility
01:11 Top niche PBMs Chloe recommends
01:40 Technology innovations improving member experience
02:09 The impact of pharmacogenomics on healthcare costs
02:31 Reducing polypharmacy and adverse drug events
03:05 Precision medicine in pharmacy
03:33 Emerging specialty pharmacies and cost management
04:20 Results and data showing cost savings from niche PBMs
04:49 Typical savings percentages and financial impact
05:17 Reinvesting savings into employer and employee benefits
06:02 Industry needs: Better vendor communication and ROI tools
07:02 The concept of a vendor integration platform
08:08 Future solutions to improve vendor collaboration
08:50 Closing remarks and industry outlook
09:02 Bending the Trend Outro

In this episode of Bending the Trend, Norm Volsky sits down with Stephanie Porrino, CEO and Founder of Empower Healthcare Insights, to discuss practical strategies employers can use to control rising healthcare costs. Stephanie shares lessons from her 30 years in HR and benefits leadership, including how reference-based pricing, transparent PBMs, and direct primary care models can dramatically reduce healthcare spend while improving employee outcomes. The conversation also explores the growing disconnect between HR leaders and insurance advisors, the importance of controlling referrals through primary care, and why better healthcare consumer education remains one of the biggest gaps in the employer benefits ecosystem.

Key Takeaways

🏥 Healthcare cost containment strategies
 🧩 Vendor selection for benefits optimization
 🩺 Innovations in primary care and pharmacy benefits
 📉 Reference-based pricing and claims cost reduction
 💊 Transparent PBMs and pharmacy cost management
 👨‍⚕️ Direct primary care and controlling healthcare referrals
 🤝 Bridging the gap between HR leaders and insurance advisors
 📚 The need for better healthcare consumer education

Chapters

00:00: Introduction and meeting at U Powered Symposium

01:05: Stephanie’s background and founding Empower Healthcare Insights

02:10: Vendor strategies that drive healthcare cost savings

03:40: Reference-based pricing and $21M in claims savings

05:00: Transparent PBMs and pharmacy cost reduction

06:10: Direct primary care and controlling healthcare referrals

08:10: Why consumer healthcare education is still missing

09:45: Nomination for the next Bending the Trend guest

10:40: Bending the Trend Outro Season 

Join us for a powerful, insight-packed compilation episode of Bending the Trend where we spotlight real-world digital health solutions that are driving impact for employers of all sizes.

From Benefits leaders who work with with employers with 100 employees to 30,000+ employees, our guests share what’s actually working — and why the biggest mistake you can make is doing nothing at all.

The overarching theme? 👉 Get out there and DO SOMETHING.

💡 Notable Digital Health Solutions Mentioned

Our guests highlight innovative partners that are reshaping healthcare delivery, including:

🧠 Hinge Health

🏥 Garner Health

📊 Quantify

🦷 Walrus

🚀 Leap health

Among others!! 

🎤 Hear From Our Incredible Guests

We’re joined by industry leaders who live and breathe employer-sponsored healthcare strategy:

Scott Kirschner – Senior Director, Global Benefits at Greystar

Shawn Gremminger – President & CEO of National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions

Jake Frankel – Founder of ASF Strategies

Patrick Moore – Co-Founder of Pretekt

David Fosgate – Senior Vice President at Lockton

Kristine Karnath – Group Vice President, Global Total Reward at Moog inc.

Lee Lewis – Chief Strategy Officer & GM Medical Solutions at Health Transformation Alliance

🔥 Whether you’re a benefits leader, HR executive, or healthcare innovator, this episode is packed with actionable insights, bold perspectives, and proven solutions you can implement today.

🎧 Tune in now and start bending the trend in your organization!

In this Bending The Trend segment, Norm Volsky sits down with Lee Lewis for a rapid-fire conversation on digital health vendors that truly deliver value. Lee shares candid perspectives on solutions he believes consistently generate strong outcomes, member engagement, and measurable ROI. The discussion highlights standout vendors like Walrus for employee engagement and financial impact, Enthea for breakthrough addiction treatment innovation, and the strategic value of leveraging employer coalitions like HTA to streamline healthcare procurement. The conversation emphasizes cutting through vendor hype, focusing on real results, and improving employer healthcare decision-making.

Takeaways

✅ Not all digital health vendors deliver measurable value — outcomes and engagement matter most.
 ⭐ Walrus stands out for strong member satisfaction and significant financial ROI.
 🧠 Enthea represents a promising advancement in addiction treatment with new therapeutic approaches.
 💙 Behavioral health innovation remains a critical frontier for employer health strategies.
 🤝 Employer healthcare coalitions like HTA can accelerate contracting and improve transparency.
 📊 Vendor selection should prioritize outcomes, member experience, and financial impact.
 💬 Testimonials and employee engagement are strong indicators of solution effectiveness.
 ⚡ Smarter procurement processes can reduce costs and implementation timelines.

Chapters

00:00   Introduction to the Segment
00:20  Vendors That Truly Deliver Value
00:40   Walrus and Member Engagement Success

02:10   Enthea and Addiction Treatment Innovation
03:45   Employer Procurement Strategy (HTA Insight)
04:20  Final Thoughts on Vendor Selection 

In this episode of Bending the Trend, host Norm Volsky speaks with Kristine Karnath, VP of Total Rewards at Moog, about the company's innovative approaches to employee health and wellness. They discuss Moog's history, the implementation of digital health solutions, and the importance of onsite wellness programs. Kristine shares insights on pharmacy benefits management and specialized health solutions, emphasizing the need for measurable outcomes and ROI in health programs. The conversation highlights the challenges and successes in navigating the complex healthcare landscape for employees.

Takeaways

✈️ Moog is an aerospace defense company with a global presence.
 💻 Digital health solutions are essential for employee wellness.
 🏥 Onsite wellness centers have proven effective for employee care.
 🤝 Partnerships with vendors like Premise Health enhance service delivery.
 💊 Pharmacy benefits management can significantly impact healthcare costs.
 📈 Specialized health solutions can improve employee productivity.
 📊 Measuring ROI in health programs is crucial for success.
 📣 Communication is key to ensuring employees utilize available resources.
 🔎 There is a need for validated data in healthcare solutions.
 🚀 Future innovations in digital health should focus on employee engagement.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Moog and Its Impact

02:05 Digital Health Solutions at Moog

04:02 Onsite Wellness Programs and Partnerships

05:47 Innovative Pharmacy Benefits Management

07:43 Specialized Health Solutions and Their Impact

09:46 Measuring Success and ROI in Health Programs

13:27 Future of Digital Health Solutions

16:58 Bending the Trend Outro 

In this episode of Bending the Trend, host Norm Volsky interviews David Fosgate, the Senior VP of Employee Benefits at Lockton and a consultant in the healthcare space. Norm and David discuss innovative strategies to combat rising healthcare costs. They explore successful digital health solutions, cost management strategies, and the importance of supporting employees through healthcare challenges. The conversation highlights the need for transparency in healthcare and the potential for future innovations.

Takeaways

🏃‍♂️ Hinge Health is a leading provider of digital physical therapy.
 💰 Avoiding unnecessary surgeries can lead to significant cost savings.
 🎗️ Cancer care programs are crucial for self-funded groups.
 💊 Pharmacy costs are a growing concern for employers.
 📊 Data analytics can validate the ROI of healthcare solutions.
 ❤️ Emotional ROI is as important as financial ROI in healthcare.
 🔄 Redirecting savings can improve employee benefits.
 🚁 Airflares are a new area of interest in healthcare funding.
 🤝 Collaboration among employers is essential for change.
 💡 Identifying gaps in healthcare solutions can inspire innovation

Chapters

00:00 Innovative Strategies in Digital Health

05:41 Cost Savings and ROI in Healthcare Solutions

10:07 Future Opportunities in Healthcare Solutions