Paul and John read the news for the week of January 6th, 2020. 

This year, in the employee benefits field, will be challenging, I believe. There are rising RX drug costs, Gene Therapy treatments, their cost and - perhaps a tighter re-insurance market - to name a few. When we read about new changes, we'll podcast updates, of course. 

So, subscribe and rate. BTW - thank you for listening. 

Paul chats with Micheal Gough, Vice President of Sales and Co-founder of Ally Health, a leading telemedicine provider.  Our interest in tele-therapy is also explored in depth, as access is a key concern across the country, especially in rural areas, telemedicine is the answer, without question. 

Listen in for critical insights on the industry and advise on how to deploy such a program in your organization. 

Paul introduces John Tomasek, and executive at WL Benefits Group, as a guest co-host to deliver the news.  John is well versed in employee benefits and also has experience in producing videos, movies and more. So, why not ask John to bring that experience to the Benefit-U podcast? Well, we do and he does! 

We have sad news to share from Kaiser Permanente, Elizabeth Warrens' health plan proposal, Michigan limits hospitals access to CAR-T, Walgreens going private (maybe) and a bit on PBM's rebate transparency - and more.  Factual this time around - a bit late but we are back on track to a weekly show (the flu hit me this month). 

Tune in and learn.  Also, Shannon is back next week - and we'll keep John around too - so now -  three presenters. 

In this episode, Shannon and Paul discuss healthcare initiatives by, of all entities, the Department of Defense. 

Also, news on Texas health's CEO, an investment into AI for Cancer care, medical claims stemming from Cannabis use and Walgreens closing of 17 healthcare clinics in Kansas City. 

Also news on how Uber is now partnering with healthcare providers. Finally, Amazon i buying yet another startup in medical technology. 

All this and more - so tune in and be amazed!

Sycamore, Summit - names that mean nothing to you yet - until you listen to this mini-episode podcast.  Completely unrelated to employee benefits currently, however, the future will undoubtedly be much more advanced given quantum computing. With this amount of computing power, could cures for exotic diseases (perhaps even cancer) be within our reach?  Listen in and weigh in.  Also, meet Shannon Banty, my new cohost. It's great to add a new personality and a female point of view in the future. We'll be adding more quest hosts along the way also. 

So stay tuned. 

Paul embarks on a solo news read (ie: boring) - but informative. Lots going on in the news from Amazon Health to more progress in healthcare technology. 

We say goodbye to Mike as he embarks on a new career. However, you'll be meeting new team members as we expand the podcast and add more personalities. (ie: fun)

To reach Paul or the team: 

[email protected]

To comment on the show - [email protected]

To recommend a guest for our podcast: [email protected] 

To suggest a guest to interview: [email protected]

Thank you for listening and subscribing. 

Mike goes solo this week, in his interview with Jeff Leston, President of  Cornerstone Advisors, LLC a healthcare fraud company that, not only identifies fraud in healthcare, for employers and providers, but provides tangible solutions. Listen in for an informative discussion.  Fraud - it's a larger problem than you might think.  Here is additional information on Jeff Leston:

Email: [email protected]

Web url: www.castlestone-llc.com

To contact Mike and/or Paul: [email protected]

Mike and Paul cultivated the most interesting recent news for the week and you can enjoy it all - via podcast, on the ride to or from work. We are making people smarter! Dubious - we agree.  This week you'll hear about: 

Body parts of celebrities (thanks Mike) that are insured 

here is the link: 

https://renasantnation.com/top-10-wierd-things-celbrities-insure/

Monkeypox, it's back and its real:

CIGNA's rollout of a Medicare Advantage Expansion

https://www.healthmarkets.com/resources/health-insurance/trumpcare-news-updates/

and so much more 

This week Mike and Paul reveal interesting articles cultivated from recent headlines across the country. 

You'll learn about:

More news on Walmart's (and Sam's Club) healthcare initiative

Beaumont Hospital sounds the mental health alarm

Pontifications from both Paul & Mike (we aren't shy)

Article on Sandoz and carcinogen in their product: Zantac

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/pharmacy/carcinogen-concerns-prompt-sandoz-to-halt-global-distribution-of-heartburn-drug.html

Americans pay 67% more for healthcare: 

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/pharmacy/americans-pay-up-to-67-times-more-for-drugs-than-other-countries.html

World Pharmacist Day: 

https://www.pharmacist.com/article/world-pharmacists-day-2019-will-promote-safe-and-effective-medicines-all

BCBS CEO arrested

https://www.greensboro.com/news/crime/blue-cross-blue-shield-of-nc-ceo-charged-with-dwi/article_b71bc158-44ff-5e87-8da4-9368af458e8b.html

Death of an Ohio emergency room worker: 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/hospital-employee-killed-after-ohio-man-intentionally-crashes-truck-er-n1054321

To reach Paul or Mike

[email protected]

To comment on the show - [email protected]

To recommend a guest for our podcast: [email protected] 

To suggest a guest to interview: [email protected]

This week Mike and Paul reveal interesting articles cultivated from recent headlines across the country. 

You'll learn about:

Walmart sees it's first healthcare patients

HR and healthcare technology being espoused by organizations

The wonderful effects of bubbles for delivering cancer medication

More about Machine Learning and it's adopters

and so much more - 

Here are links to several of the articles we discuss: 

to comment on the show - [email protected]

Same address to reach Mike or Paul - [email protected]

To recommend a guest for our podcast: [email protected] 

To suggest a guest to interview: [email protected]

Here is the link to the Bloomberg article - once again: 

https://www.google.com/search?q=bloomberg+law+employee+benefits+podcast&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS863US863&oq=bloomberg+law+employee+benefits+podcast&aqs=chrome..69i57.15543j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 

Here are a few of the show links discussed in today's podcast: 

Tiny bubbles: 

https://www.futurity.org/cancer-treatments-bubbles-2160262/

Walmart sees first patients:

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/patient-flow/walmart-health-sees-its-first-patients-today-6-things-to-know.html