Risky Benefits

Jason Hammersla, Vice President of Communications at American Benefits Counsel, is on mic to talk about the “Silver Linings Pandemic Playbook”. The playbook is a collection of vignettes and interviews with a dozen large US companies on the strategies they deployed to take care of their employees in one of the most unprecedented times, the COVID-19 pandemic.

Not only will these stories inspire you, but you'll also learn about healthcare trends that are taking off, and how the American Benefits Counsel advocates for straight-forward benefits and administrative laws.

MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Jason Hammersla
Vice President, Communications
American Benefits Council

Jason Hammersla is the vice president of communications for the American Benefits Council. Jason directs the American Benefits Council's communications strategy and serves as the liaison for media inquiries. He also leads the Council’s 50th Anniversary celebration and marketing activities.

Since joining the Council as a public relations associate in 1999, Jason has held a variety of roles in the communications department, maintaining primary responsibility for internal and external communications such as the Council's Benefits Byte membership newsletter and media releases on the full range of Council issues. He also has responsibility for the Council’s webinar production, website, social media streams and desktop publishing.

Jason earned his bachelor's degree in psychology after four years at the University of Rochester. He has co-written a song for Norah Jones, written jokes for Steve Martin and now is only waiting to catch a touchdown pass from Peyton Manning.

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

David Perry has worked in carrier claims, workers compensation, account management, enrollment and more. All these experiences have helped him map out the best life cycle for enrolling and educating employees about their benefits. David is on mic to provide you with the latest ideas and tools to help employees find what they need to feel taken care of during Benefits Enrollment.

MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST:
David Perry
Vice President, Enrollment Strategies at FBMC

David is leading enrollment strategies and coordination efforts of employee benefit communication and engagement, including partnering with benefits consultants to design and engage employee benefits communication and programs.

David has an over 20+ years in employee benefits and his extensive background touches nearly all the functional areas in benefits, including implementation, account management, claims, benefits administration software, enrollment services sales and leadership.

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

Mental health and wellness is an important aspect of our health. From employees to even the most decorated and talented athletes, it is important to prioritize the care you need in order to perform your best.

Dr. Desreen Dudley, Psy.D., behavioral health quality consultant, and practicing clinical psychologist, shared that 50% of millennial employees, now the largest generational group in the workforce, want and expect mental health coverage and benefits.

For tips on mental wellness improvements, trends, and mental health benefits with Teladoc Health, give this episode a listen.

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

MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Dr. Desreen N. Dudley, Psy.D.
Teladoc Senior Behavioral Health Quality Consultant
Teladoc.com

Dr. Desreen N. Dudley, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist with more than 10 years of experience treating individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness. She is a full-time clinical psychologist treating adults in a community healthcare outpatient setting. She was hired by Teladoc Health in 2016 as a behavioral health quality consultant, and in her capacity, she serves as a mental health provider of therapeutic services to members using the platform as well as a member of the quality management team. 

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

The passion and industry expertise from each of our consultants is an important part of what makes FBMC unique. On mic are two of our Employee Benefits Consultants: Shands Bussey and Kevin McCarthy. Listen in as Shands and Kevin discuss their work in the insurance industry and how it has shaped their perspective on what delivering quality service looks like.

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


MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
Kevin McCarthy, Employee Benefits Consultant
FBMC.com
Kevin McCarthy brings 21 years of experience in working with health and voluntary employee benefits in Texas schools. Kevin has been a professional songwriter, musician and actors in Austin since 1987.

After graduating from the University of Texas he started as a high school AP/IB Eco and Gov teacher at Anderson HS in Austin, Texas.

For the last 22 years he has helped Texas schools with their voluntary supplemental benefits. His experience as a teacher continues to inform his work as a consultant for his clients.


Shands Bussey, Employee Benefits Consultant
FBMC.com
Shands brings 4 years of human capital management experience with a focus on employee benefit solutions to FBMC’s clients. He adds a proven track record of assisting public and private entities streamline, maintain, and grow their Health & Benefits offerings. His focus is on delivering high performance healthcare benefits and service by engaging and empowering the healthcare consumer.

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

Clever RX is a discount prescription program that negotiates rates with pharmacies, drug manufacturers, and pharmaceutical benefit management companies to provide the lowest prices available. No sign up, no cost, no fee, all in an effort to make healthcare more affordable. Listen to Brett Cunningham, Co-Founder and Chief of Growth Officer at Clever RX, talk more about how this program works.

MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Brett Cunningham
Chief Growth Officer, Clever RX
 cleverrx.com

I help benefit consultants and the healthcare community drive down prescription drug costs through our FREE app and tools.

CLEVER RX is a game changer. We built tools for the Healthcare Community to help deprived families access reasonably priced prescription medication. For years this has been a major issue due to high deductibles, high co-pays, and the high cost of insurance. Finally, Clever RX is here. By using your Clever RX app (or discount card), you will save up to 80% on your prescription medication and frequently save more than your current co-pay. Simply put, use Clever RX and start to save money.

Now that is not only clever, it is Clever RX.

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

When it comes to maximizing employee wellbeing and minimizing turnover consider this, “No trash, no chipped paint, and all the horses go up and down.” This adage from Walt Disney is at the heart of today’s Risky Benefits episode. Listen as Texas Tech Professors Dr. Theodore Waldron and Jim Wetherbe along with FBMC Benefits Consultant Kevin McCarthy discuss how employers can empower employees by providing a dynamic and values driven work environment. This ensures a rewarding experience for employees and a positive as well as productive step towards company-wide success.

For an in-depth look at C.A.R.E. and how to help your employees, check out this article by Dr. Theodore Waldron and Jim Wetherbe: "How To Care for Your Team During a Crisis".

Interested in reading more by Dr. Theodore Waldron and Jim Wetherbe, take a look at "Ensure That Your Customer Relationships Outlast Coronavirus".

MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
James Wetherbe
Richard Schulze Distinguished Professor, Texas Tech University
 www.ttu.edu
Ph.D. in Management Information Systems, Organizational Behavior, and Computer Science with over 40 years experience in academia and industry. Experience includes professorial and administrative positions in higher education including the Universities of Minnesota, Memphis, Houston, and Texas Tech; and management positions with computing, energy, and consulting companies. Rated as one of the top 12 consultants and lecturers on MIS by Information Week, also ranked as one of the 20 most influential scholars in the field. Co-recipient of the first MIS Quarterly Distinguished Scholar Award, author or co-author of 40 books (including multiple editions) and widely published in top journals with over 15,000 citations. Brought in over $20 million in funded research during academic career. Served on the Board of several major corporations including Best Buy, CIBER, SitePro and Sandia Motorsports. Honored as Distinguished alumnus of Texas Tech and New Mexico State Universities and in the Hall of Fame of New Mexico State University.

Theodore L. Waldron
Associate Professior of Sustainable Strategy & Entrepreneurship in the Area of Management at Texas Tech University's Rawls College of Business
www.ttu.edu
Theodore L. Waldron (Ted) is an Associate Professor of Sustainable Strategy and Entrepreneurship in the Area of Management at Texas Tech University’s Rawls College of Business. He earned his B.S. and M.B.A. from Villanova University and his Ph.D. from The University of Georgia. In addition to his academic career, Ted has worked in hospital administration and management consulting.

Kevin McCarthy
Employee Benefits Consultant at FBMC
FBMC.com
Theodore L. Waldron (Ted) is an Associate Professor of Sustainable Strategy and Entrepreneurship in the Area of Management at Texas Tech University’s Rawls College of Business. He earned his B.S. and M.B.A. from Villanova University and his Ph.D. from The University of Georgia. In addition to his academic career, Ted has worked in hospital administration and management consulting.

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

Unsure of whether to mandate employee vaccinations? Chad Sorenson, President of HR Florida, is on Risky Benefits to discuss all the HR related questions and possibilities that come up when considering COVID-19 vaccination mandates in the workplace.

MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Chad Sorenson
President
hrflorida.org

Chad Sorenson is the President of Adaptive HR Solutions and has over 25 years of diverse business, communications and human resource experience.

He works with companies throughout the Southeast U.S. that range from 5 to 1,200 employees and focuses on leadership development, manager training, employee performance management and employer compliance in industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, construction trades, and professional services organizations. Chad also works with trade associations providing HR support to member companies. Prior to founding Adaptive HR Solutions in 2008, Chad was Vice President, Director and Manager of Human Resources for several companies in the Jacksonville area.

Chad serves as the 2021-2022 President of the HR Florida State Council which represents over 16,000 HR professional across Florida as the state affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management. He was also the President of SHRM Jacksonville in 2015 and 2016. He is certified as a SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) and a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Chad regularly speaks to other SHRM Chapters, business associations, and companies across the region on topics such as leadership development and employee engagement.

In addition to giving back to the HR field, Chad is actively involved in his church and has been a volunteer leader with Boy Scouts for over 12 years. He is an Eagle Scout and a graduate of Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. The keys to his success are Devotion to God, Dedication to Family, Continuous Service, Lifetime Learning, and Always Remembering to Laugh.

To listen 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.

The landscape of voluntary benefits has changed recently because of COVID-19. Employers and employees are looking for products and coverage that keeps up with the quickly changing times. Nick Rockwell, President of Eastbridge Consulting Group, Inc., is on mic with Rick to talk about the voluntary benefit trends and changes that insurance carriers are making due to COVID-19.

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



MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Nick Rockwell
President

Nick has over 18 years of broad business experience in varying roles from sales, distribution, administration and marketing strategy development to management and training. During his four years at Eastbridge, Nick has led and delivered consulting projects for clients across insurance, non-insurance, third-party administration and technology-platform segments.

Prior to joining Eastbridge in 2016, Nick launched and led LifeLock into the voluntary benefits market, achieving nearly 400% sales growth over a two-year period. Because of his experience building a voluntary benefits business and having advised dozens of carriers on strategic matters, Nick has developed a reputation as a go-to resource for leaders in the voluntary market. He is a frequent speaker at industry events and webinars and also co-authors Eastbridge's monthly BenefitsPro column.

As Eastbridge's President, Nick continues the Company's tradition of delivering strategic consulting services to the voluntary industry, while helping to shape the Company's future roadmap.

Nick holds degrees from the University of Arizona in Communications and Business. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife and two sons.

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

Our guest Lydia Zeller, President and CEO of Kiio, is on mic to talk about the digital therapeutic solutions offered by Kiio. This is a non-clinical solution that helps employees get immediate and appropriate musculoskeletal care.

Available through your smart device, Kiio offers exercises, tips, encouragement, and educational materials on how to manage and improve your musculoskeletal wellbeing.

This app meets people where they are and in whatever way works best.

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



MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Lydia Zeller
President and CEO
Kiio.com

Lydia has a track record of driving innovation in musculoskeletal (MSK care) and meaningful results. One of the company’s first employees, Lydia has been involved in every facet of Kiio product and business development. As VP of Strategy, she conceived of and spearheaded the company’s efforts to bring Kiio’s flagship digital therapeutic product to market. She landed and managed the company’s first health plan partnerships, and she initiated the independent clinical and financial outcomes studies that have proven Kiio significantly improves pain, function and quality of life while reducing opioid prescriptions, aggressive treatments and total health plan spend.

Lydia brings a vision of combining the best in technology with evidenced-based medicine to Kiio’s mission – to be the easiest, most effective – and most cost-effective – way for employers, payers, and individuals to reduce the physical, emotional and financial burden of MSK pain. Her passion for bringing convenient, member-centric care to more people is evident. Kiio’s quick-start solution is the only one that doesn’t require waiting for equipment, scheduling a clinical consultation, or mastering the learning curve of trackers and sensors.

Lydia’s high energy and commitment to Kiio and the company’s customers is evident to all who know her. Her high-integrity approach to partnerships with Kiio’s stakeholders and employees, coupled with her extensive finance, operations, and product experience, give Kiio an edge in delivering personalized care that’s convenient and effective.

To listen 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.

Marty Traynor, retired Senior Vice President of Voluntary Benefits at Mutual of Omaha, is on mic to discuss the current and past landscape of employee benefits. With over 40 years of experience in the insurance industry, Marty shares his expert insights into how engagement with benefits for both employees and employers has changed especially with the new concerns brought on by the pandemic. Listen in as Marty shares how you can maximize benefits in this new age.

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


MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Marty Traynor
Retired Senior Vice President of Voluntary Benefits at Mutual of Omaha

Marty Traynor is retired Senior Vice President of Voluntary Benefits at Mutual of Omaha. Marty has worked in the insurance industry for over 50 years. His responsibilities have covered a broad range of areas including product and service development, voluntary strategy, enrollment methods, and guiding employees to make good benefit-related decisions. He is a member of the Worksite Marketing Hall of Fame, among other honors. He has written a monthly column for BenefitsPRO for over 15 years.

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