In this episode, Ken and Robin welcome Peter Laio from BCS Financial—a company uniquely owned by all Blue Cross Blue Shield plans nationwide—to talk about the unseen but essential world of stop-loss insurance. Peter shares his journey from farm life to finance, revealing how BCS evolved from serving Blue plans to leading the commercial stop-loss market. Alongside Mike Hoffman, the conversation dives into risk pooling, gene therapy claim management, and how BCS’s integrity-driven approach ensures claims are paid quickly and fairly. The team discusses what true partnership looks like in high-stakes healthcare financing—and how collaboration between CBC, ABP, and BCS delivers security and long-term value to employers.

Meet Lisa Hodson, CEO of Allied National, as she joins Ken, Robin, and Mike to discuss how her company redefined third-party administration for small employers. From her inspiring journey to the C-suite to Allied’s role as a neutral partner focused on relentless value creation, Lisa shares how Allied’s Level Funded Advantage product—built exclusively for Costco members—brings transparency, affordability, and innovation to the small-group market. The group breaks down how level-funded plans merge the advantages of self-funding with predictable costs, premium refunds, and transparent PBM partnerships that eliminate hidden fees.

Ken and Robin sit down with industry veteran Mike Hoffman and operations lead Sydney Bogart to unpack how Arizona Benefit Plans bridges the gap between brokers, carriers, and clients. From creative stop-loss strategies to the Costco Health Insurance Marketplace, this episode explores how collaboration, risk management, and decades of experience have shaped innovative small- and large-group products. Learn how CBC and ABP built a marketplace model that saves employers up to 55% compared to ACA rates and delivers ongoing value through data-driven design and low renewal trends.

In this episode of Boss Moves in Benefits, hosts Ken Ball and Robin Ball sit down with Sheila Bowers, Leave of Absence Manager at Control Source. Sheila shares her journey into the world of leave administration, how she built CBC’s leave program from the ground up, and why her people-first approach is transforming the way employers handle FMLA, ADA, COBRA, and beyond.

Listeners will hear how Sheila’s team provides a level of empathy and follow-through that’s rare in the industry—from next-day return-to-work monitoring to personalized communication that ensures employees feel supported every step of the way. Plus, you’ll get an inside look at how CBC and Control Source help employers stay compliant, protect against financial risk, and deliver a better employee experience.

This episode is a must-listen for HR leaders, benefits professionals, and executives who want to understand why leave administration is more than just paperwork—it’s about managing people, not processes.

Remote and hybrid work are here to stay—but what does that mean for benefits administration and employee support? In this episode of Boss Moves in Benefits, Ken, Robin, and Brooke break down the strategies employers need to engage and support remote teams. From smarter benefit admin processes to innovative communication tools like office hours and text messaging, CBC shares how to deliver real value in today’s dispersed workplace.

Contact us for more information: Health Insurance Plans for Businesses and Individuals | Custom Benefit Consultants, Inc

In this special Boss Moves Spotlight episode, we sit down with longtime CBC colleague Lisa Park, affectionately known as the Queen of Small Group Benefits. With nearly 20 years at CBC, Lisa has seen it all—helping small businesses navigate rising costs, complex regulations, and the challenges of offering meaningful benefits to their employees. From her passion for supporting mom-and-pop shops to her expertise with Costco’s custom health marketplace, Lisa shares why she loves working with employers who are often overlooked, and how her approach makes benefits simple, affordable, and tailored. You’ll hear about her journey to CBC, the evolution of small group plans, game-changing products like Level Funded Advantage and Emeritus Dental & Vision and why treating every client like family keeps her inspired after two decades. If you’re a small business owner, or simply curious about the people behind CBC’s mission, this episode gives you a front-row seat to Lisa’s passion, knowledge, and heart for helping others.

The Affordable Care Act is evolving again—and 2026 brings some of the most significant updates in years. In this episode of Boss Moves in Benefits, Ken and Robin sit down with compliance expert Jaelle Pinilla to unpack the new rules and what they mean for employers and employees. We cover: Rising HSA and FSA contribution limits, including the first major increase to the dependent care FSA since 1986. Updated high-deductible health plan thresholds and embedded deductible requirements. The new affordability percentage (9.96%) and how it impacts employer contributions. Substantial increases in ACA penalties—and how to avoid costly IRS letters. What employers should know about ICRAs, small group options, and the individual market, with premiums expected to rise 18–20% nationwide. If you’re an employer navigating compliance, a broker planning for clients, or an HR leader preparing for open enrollment, this episode breaks down the must-know ACA 2026 updates so you can stay compliant, control costs, and support your employees. Join us to start your benefit quoting! https://www.costcoquote.com/

Specialty drugs account for just 1–2% of prescriptions but drive over 50% of total healthcare spend — and costs are climbing every year. In this episode of Boss Moves in Benefits, Ken Bahl sits down with Robin Bahl, CEO of Custom Benefit Consultants, along with Kristin Gray Hamilton and Jonathan Harvin from Navitus, to unpack what’s driving these skyrocketing costs and, more importantly, how to manage them. From understanding what qualifies as a specialty drug, to exploring transparent PBM models, biosimilars, and medical vs. pharmacy benefit strategies, this conversation dives deep into practical, proven approaches that lower costs while protecting outcomes. Whether you’re a consultant, employer, or benefits leader, this episode equips you with the insights you need to navigate the specialty drug challenge with confidence.

Are you a large employer frustrated with your pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) setup? In this episode, we break down real PBM solutions designed specifically for enterprise clients—covering cost control, transparency, contract structures, and better employee outcomes.

From negotiating rebates to eliminating hidden fees, we’ll walk through the strategies top employers are using right now to save millions while improving member satisfaction.

Whether you’re an HR leader, CFO, or benefits consultant, this conversation will help you identify what’s possible with the right PBM partner and the right plan design.

Visit us today to start the conversation about PBM solutions for your company. https://www.costcoquote.com/largegroup/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Costco&utm_campaign=Navitus+Ep14&utm_term=ep14&utm_content=ep14_pbm

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Welcome back, everyone, to another exciting episode of Boss Moves in Benefits! Brooke, Ken, and Robin hold a discussion with Cindy Moehring, the Vice President for Human Resources at The Palms Casino Resort. Cindy’s a powerhouse in the Entertainment and Gaming world, steering the benefits ship for a team that keeps the lights shining and the good times rolling at one of Vegas’s iconic resorts. On Boss Moves in Benefits, we dive deep into what makes employee benefits