The H.I.T. Podcast

There are a lot of plan designs out there that promise tax advantages, cost savings, or “creative” ways to structure benefits… but not all of them are compliant. Some are even double-dipping schemes that can create major legal and financial risk for employers.

So we brought in someone who actually knows this space at the highest level: Alden Bianchi — a nationally-recognized employee benefits attorney who:

• Testified before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee during the development of the ACA
• Served as Mitt Romney’s outside counsel on the Massachusetts health care reform law
• Helped shape the very framework that became the Affordable Care Act

Yeah… he knows a thing or two.

In this episode, we break down:

• Where employers get into trouble
• How these “tax-advantaged” plan designs really work
• What not to do
• How to evaluate whether your plan is actually compliant

Clear, practical, and a must-watch for HR, consultants, CFOs, and anyone touching employee benefits strategy.

Open enrollment season is here! Whether you’re choosing your health plan for the first time or just need a quick refresher, this under 9-minute episode gives you everything you need to make smart, confident choices.

We’ll break down:

• The difference between HMO and PPO plans
• What’s the deal with Kaiser Permanente?
• How to think about deductibles, networks, and coverage levels
• All delivered with a touch of humor and zero boring jargon!

Quick. Insightful. Actually fun. Tune in and get ready to make the most of open enrollment season!

In this very special (and very scary) episode, we’re diving into all things Halloween at work — from fun ideas and team activities to best practices for keeping it festive and professional.

We cover:

• Office costume contests & team themes
• Creative treats, decorations, and events
• How to keep celebrations inclusive & fun for everyone
• Simple ways to boost morale and team spirit

Don’t miss a chance to turn your trick into a treat this Halloween!

About the Show:

The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

Have you heard of an LSA—or wondered why they’re quickly becoming one of the most popular employee benefits out there?

In this episode, I sit down with Rob Cinco to break down everything you need to know about Lifestyle Spending Accounts—what they are, how they work, and why both employers and employees can’t get enough of them!

We cover:

• What an LSA is and how it differs from FSAs & HSAs
• Why employers are adding them to their benefits mix
• How employees use them for real, everyday wellness perks
• The pros, cons, and creative ways to roll one out

If you’re looking for a fresh, flexible, and fun benefit idea to bring to your organization, LSAs might be exactly what you’ve been looking for! ????

About the Show:

The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

This episode is all about helping you get ready to make it awesome. Whether you’re a team member, manager, or HR pro, we’ve got fun, thoughtful, and easy ideas to celebrate your boss (or your team leaders!) the right way.

We’ll cover:

• Creative gift ideas that stand out
• Meaningful ways to show appreciation
• How to personalize your message
• Simple gestures that make a big impact

Tune in for inspiration, last-minute ideas, and a reminder that a little appreciation goes a long way.

#TheHITPodcast #BossesDay #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeAppreciation #HRLeadership

We’ve reached the third and final episode in our incredible series with the Podfather himself — Spencer Smith — and we’re closing things out with a bang!

In this episode, we dig into point solutions, explore how they’re shaping today’s self-funded landscape, and then take a look into the crystal ball to talk about the future of healthcare.

If you want forward-thinking insights from one of the most trusted voices in the industry, this one’s a can’t-miss.

Be sure to catch Parts 1 & 2, available now, for the full conversation!

About the Show:

The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

Self-insuring can feel complicated—especially when you get into contract provisions or health insurance captives.

In Part 2 of our 3-part series with the Podfather himself, Spencer Smith, CSFS®, we break down:

• What a health insurance captive actually is
• When a captive might be the right fit for your group
• Key contract nuances every employer should understand
• Practical insights for anyone dealing with group benefits

This series was a blast to record and is packed with value for employers, HR pros, and benefits decision-makers. If you missed Part 1, go check it out—and don’t miss this episode if you want to take your self-funding knowledge to the next level.

HIT LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-h-i-t-podcast/about/

HIT IG: https://www.instagram.com/the_hitpodcast/

HIT Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3bZ4GyZEm8Acmo60BetLHm?si=7f59f1b218b14ef6&nd=1&dlsi=cba58f30269a4c34

HIT iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-h-i-t-podcast/id1685677680?i=1000611317315

About the Show:

The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

#TheHITPodcast #SelfFunding #StopLoss #CaptiveInsurance #GroupBenefits #SpencerSmith #Healthcare #HRLeadership #EmployerBenefits

We’ve got Spencer Smith in the house—and if you know anything about self-funded employer healthcare, you know this guy is the name to listen to.

Spencer is the host of “Self Funding with Spencer” and one of the clearest voices in the country at breaking down this complex topic into language everyone can understand.

In this 3-part series, we kick things off by covering:

• What self-insurance really is (and isn’t)
• Why Stop-Loss is the most important piece of the puzzle
• Key considerations for companies exploring or currently using self-funding

This is the stuff every employer, HR leader, and benefits decision-maker needs to know—straight from the Podfather of Self-Funding himself.

About the Show:

The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

One of the many reasons a skilled, independent actuary is crucial to your health plan strategy: setting the right individual stop-loss limit.

Do you just go with what you did last year? Follow “best practices” blindly? Take whatever a vendor recommends? In this episode, we break down:

• How to approach stop-loss decisions strategically
• Why good data is your best friend
• Common mistakes employers make when self-funding
• How actuaries help you budget accurately & protect your plan

I was thrilled to have Nick Allen, career actuary and Founder/CEO of Blue Raven, back in the studio for this second half of our 2-part series on why actuaries matter so much in the health plan ecosystem.

If you missed Part 1, go back and catch it—then dive into this powerful conclusion!

About the Show:

The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

In any version of self-funding, you’ll need to know your premium equivalent rates—what to budget for, what to deduct from employees, and how to keep your health plan sustainable. That’s where a skilled, independent actuary comes in.

To unpack this crucial role, I’m joined by my friend and insurance expert Nick Allen, a career actuary and the Founder/CEO of Blue Raven. Together, we kick off a 2-part series that dives into:

• The value actuaries bring to employers & HR teams
• How premium equivalent rates are calculated
• Why independence matters in actuarial work
• How actuaries fit into the larger ecosystem of health plans

This series will give you the clarity and confidence to make smarter, data-driven decisions about your benefits. Don’t miss it!

About the Show:

The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.