Episode Description: 

On this episode, Lester chats with Ed Ligonde, Executive Vice President of Nielson Benefits Group, live from Coral Gables, Florida. 

Given his 14 years of experience as a benefits advisor, Ed gives a diverse view of the health benefits industry and details a few personal experiences that have shaped his advisor's perspective. He also shares tips with advisors and employers to serve employees better.

Episode Notes:

Description: 

On this episode, Lester sits down LIVE with Spencer Smith, host and creator of the Self-Funded with Spencer podcast, to discuss the value of self-funding and why all organizations should be taking steps to gain control of their employee health benefits. 

Together, they touch on topics such as the importance of data, having honest conversations about compliance, and myths associated with self-funding. Spencer also presents a handful of stories highlighting clients that reaped the benefits of this strategy.

Show Notes: 

Spencer starts off by introducing himself and his various professional endeavors (1:03). 

Lester asks Spencer to explain the value of self-funded insurance plans (3:40) and why employers and advisors tend to shy away from this strategy (6:50). 

Spencer lays out the perfect time for an employer to start thinking about self-funding (8:39) and myths associated with the practice (9:33). 

The two talk about the importance of data access, why employers aren’t using it today, and common use cases for data (11:00). 

Spencer also discusses the importance of compliance conversations (16:45) and the difference between big and small employers (19:20). 

He lays out a failure and success story from his time working with self-funded plans and companies (25:00). 

Lastly, Spencer leaves the audience with an actionable case study from one of his clients who implemented a self-funded employee benefits plan (33:00).

Lester Morales dedicated this episode to his beloved mother, Maria Morales. After medical bills devastated his family with the financial ruin of bankruptcy at age 17 and losing both his parents to cancer, Lester is fueled by a very strong WHY. 

Lester saw the misalignment and started a new path led by a passion and change. This episode will ask critical questions for navigating healthcare and focus on attending the number one asset of every employer's by showing the pathway to a better healthcare. Let's ALWAYS SHOW LOVE by bringing better quality care at the lowest cost.

To keep up with the latest innovations and innovators changing the health benefits world, please subscribe to the Impact Healthcare podcast. o become part of the Impact Healthcare Community, please text "IMPACT HEALTHCARE" to 813-537-6992.

Description: 

On this episode, Lester is joined by Ziad Rubaie, Chief Business Development Office at Consociate Healthcare, for an honest conversation about the importance of aligning directly with providers. 

Ziad gives helpful tips on how employers can cut out the middle man (insurance carriers) and turn healthcare into a performing asset rather than an expense. He also expounds upon these strategies with real, personified success stories from his time in the industry.

Show Notes: 

Ziad starts the podcast by introducing himself and his company. (1:21) 

The pair discuss consumerism in healthcare. (16:34) 

Lester emphasizes the importance of staying active when it comes to employee health (20:19). 

Ziad breaks down the term “directing traffic” in employee health benefits (22:04) and describes the three different types of providers (24:40). 

He then discusses the financial results and the improvement of the member experience (30:15). 

Lester asks Ziad why all employers aren’t implementing these strategies (32:08) and get him to tell a case study from one of his clients (36:02).

Description: 

In this episode, Lester sits down with Dr. Dickerson, CEO of Green Imaging, to discuss the rising prices of imaging services and how her programs save employers money with $0 out-of-pocket for the employee. 

Dr. Dickerson gives precise details on how much employers stand to save with programs like hers and offers helpful tips for those looking to implement similar solutions. She also shares success stories and actionable advice for both employers and advisors.

Show Notes: 

Dr. Dickerson starts by explaining how she began Green Imaging to solve a problem in her community (1:10) and how her business model saves patients money (6:15). 

Lester asks how she can offer a lower price tag than other imaging services (8:27) and what the exact price difference would be (10:38). 

Lester asks if there are any quality differences between these imaging centers versus hospitals (14:45). 

Dr. Dickerson walks through what an employer should do to start saving money on imaging (19:55) and an example of how some imaging services can be free for the employee (23:55). 

The two discuss how fear of change prevents organizations from implementing this solution (28:53). Lastly, Dr. Dickerson gives a recent success story in her practice (31:00) and a call-to-action for employers and advisors (35:50).

Description:

On this episode, Lester sits down with John Troutman, National Director of Marketing at M&S EAP, for a candid conversation about employee assistance programs and how they can improve employee mental health. 

John shares several stories during his time in the industry and helpful tips for employers and advisors regarding properly utilizing EAPs.

Show Notes:

John starts by explaining who he is and what he hopes the audience gains during this episode (1:17).

He then describes an EAP and how it helps employees (2:55). 

Lester asks about trends John sees in the industry (15:37).

John and Lester discuss the importance of caring about employee outcomes (17:40). 

The two discuss employers and employees John has positively impacted in the past (24:25).

John advises HR and leadership on signs they should look out for when identifying poor mental health in employees (30:00) and why accessibility is essential for employee healthcare(34:15). 

Lastly, John leaves the audience with some advice (36:00).

Description: 

Welcome to the Impact Healthcare Podcast! On this episode, Nancy Giacolone, President and Owner of Olympic Crest Insurance, sits down with host 

Lester Morales to discuss her experience finding alternative insurance solutions for smaller employers. 

They break down the “return on value” of self-insurance and also  touch on the importance of consumerism in healthcare. Lastly, Nancy shares several pieces of advice for both employers and advisors in her space.

Show Notes: 

Lester begins the episode by asking Nancy what makes her passionate about the industry (1:30). 

The two of them dig into the options available for smaller employers looking to insure their workforce (3:30) and why these solutions are as easy to implement than the plans they are used to (14:05). 

Lester asks about the cost increase about these types of strategies (19:45), as well as how Nancy is able to educate her clients on the importance of consumerism in healthcare (22:00). 

Nancy describes the characteristics of a ‘brave’ employer (29:20) and leaves both advisors and employers with some words of advice (38:00).

Description: 

Welcome to the relaunch of the Impact Healthcare Podcast!

In this episode, Rob Gelb, CEO of Valenz, joins Lester J. Morales.

Together they discuss the misaligned incentives between employers and carriers and the importance of engaging early.

They also break down statistics surrounding the state of US healthcare today.

Rob also leaves the audience with several case studies for employers looking to take health benefits into their own hands.

Episode Notes: 

Rob kicks the podcast off the podcast by describing his passion for the health benefits industry (2:15) and the premise behind his philosophy of 'engage early and often. (3:40).

Lester and Rob discuss employers' hesitations about having their workforce advocate for their care (10:30) and discuss statistics surrounding Americans and healthcare. (14:35).

Rob explains what a well-designed healthcare plan looks like for employers (21:00) and how to implement incentives to create lower-cost and higher-quality healthcare benefits plans for employees (25:06).

Lastly, Rob breaks down case studies of employers who were able to achieve success by restructuring their health benefits plan and the members who benefitted (35:40).

On this episode, Lester Morales interviews Marshall Allen, author of “Never Pay the First Bill: And Other Ways to Fight the Health Care System and Win”. The two discuss healthcare literacy and how the industry continues to take advantage of employers and patients. He also shares several examples on how he’s helped Americans fight the ever-rising cost of medical expenses successfully. Finally, Marshall provides both employers and patients with actionable advice on how they can ensure they are receiving fair prices for their healthcare.

On this episode of Impact Healthcare, Lester is joined by Ben Conner, CEO of Conner Insurance. Together, they discuss Ben’s start in the industry and how he developed into the leader he is today. He also touches on ‘mission-driven benefits’ and shares an impactful story about one of his client’s self-funded journeys. Ben also leaves a word of advice for both employers and advisors looking to achieve similar results.

Show Notes: Welcome to Impact Healthcare! Ben begins by explaining what got him into the insurance business (1:05) and highlights a few key individuals that played a part in his success as a leader (3:52). He speaks about ‘mission-driven benefit’ and how it applies to his business everyday (7:50). Ben also tells a story about a small firm that has achieved significant cost savings with their health plan, showing that all companies are eligible for self-funded insurance. (14:22). Together, the pair discuss the importance of employee buy-in throughout the self-funding process and how it affects recruitment and retention. (26:00). Lastly, Ben shares some advice with advisors and employers in the industry (32:08).