Employers are fighting rising healthcare costs, and this week’s guest breaks down three powerful tools that actually move the needle. We sit down with Heath Potter, Chief Growth Officer at Six Degrees Health, to unpack reference‑based pricing, payment integrity, and member advocacy in plain, practical language.

Heath shares how RBP replaces inflated PPO discounts with fair benchmarks—often around 140% of Medicare—helping plans cut medical spend by 25–40%. He also digs into the 18% claim error rate hiding in the system and why pre‑payment review on large claims is essential.

You’ll hear how self‑funded employers can structure their plans with TPAs and stop‑loss, how provider education and single case agreements smooth the process, and how balance bills are typically resolved through negotiation rather than escalation. Plus, why facility claims are where the biggest savings live.

A clear, actionable conversation for anyone looking to take control of healthcare spend.

To listen in and subscribe to more episodes, visit our website: fbmc.com/podcast.

In this episode, we interviews retired US Army Sergeant Major Jarvis Rosier, Director of the Colored Troops Education Project and president of the 2nd Infantry Regiment, USCT Living History Association. Sgt. Rosier describes joining the Army at 17 in 1975, serving and completing 34 years active and reserve service before retiring in 2009. He explains his leadership philosophy as soldier-focused, earning trust by leading, and knowing your people. Sgt. Rosier details founding a USCT living history unit in Tallahassee through the Riley House Museum to preserve and teach overlooked Civil War history, including Florida battles involving USCT, and recounts the March 1865 Battle of Natural Bridge and its casualties.

To listen in and subscribe to more episodes, visit our website: fbmc.com/podcast.

n this episode of Risky Benefits, Rick and Kyla interview Jordan Epstein, co-founder and CEO of Juno, about a fast-emerging benefit most employers and employees haven’t encountered: child disability insurance—essentially “long-term disability, but for kids.” Jordan shares his family’s personal experience navigating serious childhood medical issues and explains the massive financial and career impact families face when a child has a severe illness, injury, or lifelong condition.

The conversation breaks down how the coverage works (including triggers, payouts, and support resources), why this protection is common in places like Sweden but historically absent in the U.S., and how brokers and employers can offer it on an employer-paid or voluntary basis.

To listen in and subscribe to more episodes, visit our website: fbmc.com/podcast.

In this episode of Risky Benefits, Rick and Kyla sit down with Eleanor Joseph, VP of the Public Sector at Spring Health, to unpack why traditional EAPs often fail to meet the real needs of today’s workforce—especially caregivers, frontline workers, and public sector employees. Eleanor explains how Spring Health is redefining mental health benefits with faster access to care, culturally competent support, continuous check-ins, and measurement-based outcomes that show whether people are actually getting better.

The conversation explores the impact of high-exposure roles, the persistent stigma around mental health (particularly for men), and the importance of treating mental well-being as preventative care—not a crisis-only response. Employers and HR leaders will walk away with practical insights, common pitfalls to avoid, and a clearer picture of what modern, effective mental health support can look like.

To listen in and subscribe to more episodes, visit our website: fbmc.com/podcast.

In this episode of Risky Benefits, the team is joined by Dr. Astrid Gonzalez to discuss the transformative approach of minimally invasive dentistry at Tiny Teeth of Tally. The podcast delves into Dr. Gonzalez's journey from a traditional dental practice to embracing a root-cause-first, patient-centered method for managing dental decay. Dr. Gonzalez shares her passion for pediatric dentistry, discussing how her new approach helps treat dental issues non-invasively, catering to individual needs and maintaining oral health with preventive care. The conversation covers the importance of managing the oral microbiome, utilizing specialized products, and the broader implications for insurance structures and overall healthcare. Dr. Gonzalez emphasizes the need for education, personalized care, and the potential for industry-wide change towards a more holistic approach to dental health. Listen to learn how minimally invasive techniques are revolutionizing pediatric dentistry and bringing about happier, healthier smiles.

To listen in and subscribe to more episodes, visit our website: fbmc.com/podcast.

In this episode of Risky Benefits, Derrick Daniel, Vice President of Large Market at TASC, explores how innovative benefit solutions can boost ROI, engagement, and care outcomes. Derrick highlights TASC’s leadership as the nation’s largest privately held benefit account TPA, serving 80,000+ clients including the federal government.

Key insights include TASC’s universal benefit account platform that unifies multiple benefit accounts, the My Cash program for faster reimbursements and financial flexibility, and differentiated HSA and VEBA strategies. Derrick also explains how TASC’s unique revenue models keep pricing competitive.

The episode offers a clear look at how TASC delivers comprehensive, forward-thinking benefit administration.

To listen in and subscribe to more episodes, visit our website: fbmc.com/podcast.

In this episode of Risky Benefits, the focus is on heart health, community wellness, and leadership beyond boardrooms. The guest, Hailey Bruce, Development Director at the American Heart Association, shares her personal journey with congenital heart defects and her professional dedication to cardiovascular health. Hailey discusses the American Heart Association's efforts in research, community engagements like the Big Bend Heart Walk, and new initiatives targeting health in the construction industry. The episode also touches on the importance of mental health, stress management, and the wide-ranging impact of cardiovascular research.

To listen in and subscribe to more episodes, visit our website: fbmc.com/podcast.

In this episode of Risky Benefits, the podcast delves into the world of employee benefits and healthcare innovation with special guest Kristin Stamatis from Primary Health Partners. Kristin discusses her professional background, sharing insights about the membership-based direct primary care model, which eliminates insurance billing and offers unlimited access to primary care for a flat monthly fee. Kristin explains the benefits of this model for both patients and employers, highlighting reduced claim costs, increased employee satisfaction, and improved health outcomes. The conversation also covers upcoming initiatives, including a new bill allowing HSA funds for direct primary care membership and expansion plans for Primary Health Partners. Listeners are encouraged to explore new options in healthcare and benefits.

To listen in and subscribe to more episodes, visit our website: fbmc.com/podcast.

To listen in and subscribe to more episodes, visit our website: fbmc.com/podcast.

In this episode of Risky Benefits, we discuss the opioid crisis with Nico LoDolce, founder of Dolce Vida Consulting, and Jose Bracero from Champion Health. The conversation introduces Covert, a groundbreaking platform that helps organizations proactively address opioid addiction by analyzing medical claims to detect early symptoms of withdrawal. The platform ensures privacy by de-identifying employee data and targets prescribers to update them on safe opioid prescribing practices. Success stories, including significant cost savings for a Florida school district, underscore Covert's impact. The episode highlights the importance of early intervention and the substantial benefits it provides to both individual health and organizational productivity. 

To listen in and subscribe to more episodes, visit our website: fbmc.com/podcast.