On this episode of Driving the Deal, Brian Fortune, Senior Managing Director at Farragut Square Group, is joined by Monica Wallace, Partner at McDermott Will & Schulte and a leader of the firm’s Healthcare Regulatory & Compliance practice. Monica breaks down the rise in government healthcare audits, the use of extrapolated overpayments, and how providers can prepare. Together, they discuss avoiding overproduction of documents, getting legal and billing experts involved early, and acting quickly on audit letters to protect appeal rights. The episode also covers how audit history impacts M&A deals and why compliance readiness is more important than ever.

On this episode of Driving the Deal, Brian Fortune, Senior Managing Director at Farragut Square Group, is joined by Matt Menendez, President of White Plume Technologies, to explore how AI is reshaping mid-revenue cycle management. They dive into trends in the PPM space, the rising importance of operational efficiency, and how AI is empowering coders with "superpowers" rather than replacing them. From silent revenue failures to front-end automation, learn how AI is driving real EBITDA gains per provider and what to expect in the years ahead.

In this episode of Driving the Deal, host Brian Fortune, Senior Managing Director at Farragut Square Group, is joined again by Rodney Whitlock, Vice President at McDermott+ and longtime Capitol Hill health policy expert for a rapid-fire Medicaid update recorded Friday, June 27. As the Senate eyes a final vote on the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act (OBBBA), Rodney offers a real-time look at where things stood at the end of the week. They break down the Senate parliamentarian’s rulings striking several Medicaid provisions, including restrictions on eligibility and changes to provider taxes, and what remains in play, such as work requirements and rural hospital protections. Brian and Rodney also explore why a recent White House memo on state-directed payments may pose an even greater challenge than the bill itself. With pre-conferencing already underway and a final Senate vote expected as soon as tonight (June 30), Rodney walks us through the procedural path ahead. So, if you’re tracking the future of Medicaid funding, state flexibility, or the broader OBBB package, this episode delivers the timely insights you need.

On this episode of Driving the Deal, Brian Fortune, Senior Managing Director at Farragut Square Group, is joined by Monica Wallace, Partner at McDermott Will & Emery and a leader of the firm’s Healthcare Regulatory & Compliance practice. Together, they break down the rise in government healthcare audits, the use of extrapolated overpayments, and how providers can prepare. Monica emphasizes avoiding overproduction of documents, getting legal and billing experts involved early, and acting quickly on audit letters to protect appeal rights. The episode also covers how audit history impacts M&A deals and why compliance readiness is more important than ever.

In our final episode of our McDermott HealthEx series, Brian Fortune, Senior Managing Director at Farragut Square Group, and Krist Werling, Partner & Global Head of Health & Life Sciences at McDermott Will & Emery, welcome Robbie Allen, CEO of US Heart & Vascular, for a candid conversation on the state of physician practice management. They explore the shifting dynamics of the PPM market, what it takes to build a truly integrated and high-performing platform, and how evolving physician expectations, new tech, and regulatory pressures are shaping the future of the space.

In our third episode of our HealthEx series, live from the inaugural McDermott HealthEx conference in Nashville, TN, Brian Fortune, Senior Managing Director at Farragut Square Group, and Krist Werling, Partner & Global Head, Health & Life Sciences at McDermott Will & Emery, are joined by Gaurav Bhattacharyya, Chief Executive Officer of Geode Health, and Amanda Jester, Partner at McDermott Will & Emery. The group dives into the evolving behavioral health landscape, including consolidation trends, access and reimbursement challenges, workforce dynamics, and the future of value-based care. They also explore how AI is enhancing administrative efficiency while maintaining the importance of human connection in care delivery.

We continue our HealthEx series, live from the inaugural McDermott HealthEx conference in Nashville, TN. On this episode, Brian Fortune, Senior Managing Director at Farragut Square Group sits down with Sarah Kitchell, Partner at McDermott Will & Emery, and Michael Zawadski, CEO of Collabrios Health, to explore trends and deal dynamics in the evolving post-acute care landscape. They discuss the resurgence of M&A activity, the impact of value-based care and Medicare Advantage, technology’s growing role, and the importance of scalable, integrated networks.

Kicking off our HealthEx series, Driving the Deal is live from the inaugural McDermott HealthEx conference in Nashville, TN! Brian Fortune, Senior Managing Director at Farragut Square Group and Krist Werling, Partner & Global Head, Health & Life Sciences at McDermott Will & Emery are joined by Farragut’s own Director or Research, Jackie Williams and Colby Catania, Senior Vice President in Houlihan Lokey's Healthcare Group. They dive into current investment trends and market dynamics in the pharmacy and durable medical equipment (DME) sectors, with a spotlight on the booming infusion therapy space. They discuss payer and reimbursement landscapes, regulatory tailwinds, the impact of inflation on DME rates, and why investor interest in healthcare services remains high. Tune in for insights on deal activity, the evolving pharmacy supply chain, and what’s ahead for the rest of the year.

On this episode of Driving the Deal, Brian Fortune, Senior Managing Director at Farragut Square Group, sits down with Joel White, President & CEO of Horizon Government Affairs, to unpack the evolving healthcare policy landscape on Capitol Hill. With Congress already in an ambitious legislative year, they explore:

• The top congressional priorities shaping the policy agenda
• How Medicaid reform may play into the broader budget strategy
• What else is on the table—from PBM reform to Medicare fixes
• The outlook for key players like pharma and physicians seeking relief
• The political dynamics at play across the House, Senate, and White House

Joel shares insights on what stakeholders should watch for, what ideas might actually move, and how the healthcare industry is responding.

*This episode was recorded before a few key developments in the Medicaid and Medicare space, but the insights remain highly relevant to understanding the broader context and motivations behind current proposals.*

In this episode of Driving the Deal, host Brian Fortune, Senior Managing Director at Farragut Square Group, is joined by Rodney Whitlock, Vice President at McDermott+ and a longtime Capitol Hill health policy expert. Together, they unpack why Medicaid has become a political flashpoint in 2025. With the concurrent budget resolution passed earlier in April, they explore what’s driving urgency in Congress, the complex dynamics between the House, Senate, and White House. They also break down the policies most likely to advance, including work requirements and targeted savings efforts, and why providers and advocates should be watching the reconciliation process closely as decisions move faster than many expect.

*This episode was recorded in April 2025, just before several major Medicaid policy proposals were formally released. While some timelines have moved quickly since then, the conversation offers critical context on the political and policy forces shaping Medicaid reform this year*