Exploring TPA and Health Plan Inertia with Elizabeth Mitchell: What Plan Sponsors Need to Know.

In this Take 2 of episode 436 of Relentless Health Value, host Stacey Richter speaks with Elizabeth Mitchell, President and CEO of the Purchaser Business Group on Health, about the challenges third-party administrators (TPAs) face, the issues around hidden fees, and the problems with health plan inertia. 

They discuss how self-insured employers can find reliable TPA partners, the impact of anti-competitive contracts, and the importance of transparency in healthcare procurement. Mitchell emphasizes the need for direct contracting between employers and providers to reduce costs and improve quality. 

The episode covers the implications of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, the role of brokers, and how employers can achieve better value for their healthcare spend.

=== LINKS === 🔗  Show Notes with all mentioned links:   https://cc-lnk.com/EP436-Take2

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08:06 What is the overarching context for health plans in healthcare purchasing?

11:31 Why is it important to reestablish a connection between the people paying for care and people providing care?

13:47 What are the needs of a self-insured employer when managing employee benefits?

19:00 Is it doable for employers to set their own contracts?

21:24 Is transparency presumed?

22:39 Will the new transparency upon us actually expose wasted expense?

24:23 EP408 with Chris Deacon.

25:58 “This is not about individual bad actors. … The systems … that is not aligned.”

27:39 Are there providers who want to work directly with employers?

30:53 Why is it important that incentives need to be aligned?

32:42 EP427 with Rik Renard.

33:51 What’s missing from the conversation on changing health plans?