The Phia Group's Podcast

In this episode, our hosts sit down with industry legend and innovative leader, Jerry Castelloe of Castelloe Partners, to dissect the state of the health benefits universe, identify new issues, repeat offenders, and determine what trends, risks – and victories – from the past are shaping the future.

In this episode, Ron, Brady, and Adam chat with friend and industry ally, Mark Stadler – President and CEO of BridgeHealth. As the leader of an organization whose purpose is to connect patients with the best providers – offering the highest quality care for the lowest price – regardless of geographic location, Mark and his team need to build bridges and interact with all three “Ps” of healthcare – the “P”atient, “P”ayer, and “P”rovider. This gives Mark unique insight that he now shares with our listeners.

In this episode of Empowering Plans, Adam Russo and Jennifer McCormick interview Laura Hirsch, President of Nova Healthcare Administrators. They discuss the latest stop-loss trends, patient assistance programs for prescription drugs, and other issues facing the self-funded industry.

In this episode, Adam Russo and Brady Bizarro speak with Ryan C. Work – Vice President of Government Affairs at the Self-Insurance Institute of America (“SIIA”). They talk politics, D.C., and more importantly, about the efforts of the Government Relations Committee to advocate for the self-insured industry. From stop-loss protections and an updated “ERISA Notebook” to new wellness program rules, Ryan reveals the top issues on SIIA’s political agenda and explains how member engagement can really make a difference.

In this episode, Adam Russo, Brady Bizarro, and Ron Peck (yes - he’s back!), chat with Mark S. Gaunya – Chief Innovation Officer and Principal of Borislow Insurance. As an author, innovator, and passionate industry advocate touting more than 25 years of experience, Mark doesn’t pull punches as he addresses the biggest opportunities and threats facing employers, employees, and their plans. If you want to know what’s wrong with the nation’s healthcare system, what we need to do to fix it, and enjoy it when someone teases Adam – this episode is a must listen.

In this episode, our Senior Vice President & General Counsel dials in to describe where he's been, what major health issue is impacting his family, and what he hopes we can all learn from their experiences thus far - as members of the industry, potential patients, and human beings.

In this episode, hosts Jennifer McCormick, Brady Bizarro and Erin Hussey discuss issues with inaction. The first issue is with balance billing, and a recent case involving a patient who was balance billed and refused to pay the bill. The hospital now seeks declaratory judgement stating that the patient-hospital contract is valid. This case is a good example of the interaction of third party agreements and the SPD, and the ongoing issue of the reasonableness of Chargemaster rates. The second issue is with wellness incentive rules and the lack of guidance from the EEOC, following the AARP v. EEOC case. This EEOC was ordered to re-write wellness program rules regarding incentives and issue proposed rules on August 31, 2018, with an effective date of January 1, 2019. If the EEOC does not re-write the rules, the old rules (the 30% incentive maximum) will be vacated and there will be no new rules for employers to follow.

In this episode, hosts Brady Bizarro and Adam Russo discuss the recent webinar’s success, hot topics impacting the industry today, and new methods to contain rising costs by taking advantage of changes in law and policy. If you like spending too much on healthcare, stay away. If you want to trump rising costs and achieve cost containment greatness, come on in.

In this episode of Empowering Plans, Adam and Brady interview Rick Koven, President of Koven Consulting & Coaching. They discuss his work with health plan startups, small regional TPAs, and micro-insurance in developing countries. Rick also explains his role as a coach for executives and corporate leaders in our industry. As a special treat, they are also joined by Lisa from the claims department.

In this very special episode, our hosts embark on a maiden voyage – their first ever video podcast! Listen in, and even better – watch – as the team addresses the recently passed Right To Try Laws, and dissect the impact it may have – if any – on your health benefit plans. Whether you choose to cover these treatments or not, there is action you must take… tune in to find out what you need to do.