Medical claims data can tell a much bigger story than you might expect. In this episode, Tracy Watts and Leah Malof break down how those insights can help organizations spot trends, manage costs and make smarter decisions.

Mercer attorneys Wade Symons and Lindsey Sommers walk through the history, the common compliance traps, and when Individual Coverage HRAs might, or might not, be the right fit.

Tracy Watts and Ryan Klapatch discuss why the promise of healthcare price transparency has been more difficult to achieve than anticipated. They examine what progress has been made and consider whether increased transparency can help reduce costs.

Tracy Watts sits down with Pete Rutigliano to discuss AI in mental health—from chat companions and triage to risks when guardrails fail—and practical steps employers can take to harness AI while protecting employee well‑being and preventing burnout.

Emily Ferreira speaks with Mary Beth Ryan from MercerWell to unpack trends in workplace behavioral health — from virtual care and expanded EAP sessions to on site counseling — and outlines how leaders can reduce stigma, promote work life boundaries, and make care more accessible.

Wade Symons and Jennifer Wiseman discuss key compliance challenges that employer health plan sponsors face when considering direct-to-consumer prescription drug strategies.

Tracy Watts and Wendy Smith discuss reference-based pricing, a cost management strategy that is frequently overlooked but may be reconsidered by employers due to rising healthcare cost pressures.

Wendy Smith joins Tracy Watts to explore strategies including minimum essential coverage, minimum value plans, and ICHRAs all aimed at reducing costs and improving affordability. They share real-world examples and practical implementation tips.

Emily Ferreira speaks with Chief Health Actuary Sunit Patel about a new survey -- the CFO Perspective on Health. They discuss how CFOs view rising health care costs and their impact on wages, hiring strategies and other investments – and how finance and benefits departments can align for better collaboration on cost management.

Learn more about the survey: The CFO perspective on health: 2026 survey results

Sean Connelly joins Emily Ferreira to discuss the results of a new survey of US workers, Inside Employees’ Minds. New technology, the economy, and even extreme weather are heightening stress in the workplace, but there are ways employers can help.