Benefits have an outsized impact on the employee experience. Employees value benefits so much, in fact, that 39% say competitive benefits motivate them to stay in their current jobs, according to data from Bank of America. But how can employers ensure their benefits are truly competitive? Joining The Stretch to discuss the importance of innovative benefits design is Kate Phillips, Bank of America’s global head of benefits.

Digital health offerings exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic when employers were looking to increase access to care for their employees and battling to offer attractive programs in a tight labor market. But now, employers find themselves wondering if those point solutions they put in place are delivering real value to their health plans and their employees. Ed Liebowitz, EVP and Chief Strategy Officer at Solera Health, is here to discuss this evolution and the need for point solution payment model reform.

Today’s patients can’t anticipate how much their healthcare will cost them. Will the bill for an MRI cost $15 or $500? The answer is usually inaccessible up front. Unfortunately, pricing is just as unpredictable for employers. But the status quo is changing for both parties as new transparency laws generate more and more data on cost and beyond. Joining the podcast to unpack how this information is making pricing more predictable is Chris Severn, co-founder and CEO at Turquoise Health.

Today’s employers are looking to cut costs while boosting health & wellbeing. But many organizations are not paying enough attention to a critical component to achieving those ends. By enhancing heart health, employers can reduce expensive claims and improve employee health and wellbeing. The impact of preventative cardiovascular care is particularly powerful among women, whose heart health has long been understudied and underserved. Joining our discussion is Maayan Cohen, co-founder & CEO at Hello Heart.

In today's rapidly changing landscape, organizations are facing unprecedented volatility, much of which revolves around people-related issues. From escalating healthcare costs to the need for workforce transformation to fostering inclusion and belonging, these challenges are elevating the role of chief people leaders to a pivotal position within the C-suite.

To delve into the complexities and opportunities of this evolving role, we are excited to welcome Aon Chief Administrative Officer Lisa Stevens to The Stretch. Join us as we explore the dynamic responsibilities and strategic importance of chief people leaders in navigating these critical issues.

Individuals are increasingly working outside the traditional insurance avenues to seek care. Today’s consumers want their care to be marked with options, convenience and transparency. To deliver on those expectations, the digital health market is transforming & evolving rapidly. Here to help us make sense of these major changes is Adriana Krasniansky, principal and head of research at Rock Health.

The impact of substance use can be costly, damaging and devastating. But the vast majority of people struggling with substance use don't receive the care they need. In this episode, we discuss why substance use management is an issue employers can't afford to overlook — and why it needs a more thoughtful, personalized approach. Joining our discussion is Maroof Ahmed, COO and co-founder of Pelago, a virtual clinic for substance use management.

Employers’ cost of healthcare grew 8% from 2023 to 2024, according to Aon data. Expenses are slated to rise as much as 9.2% in 2025. These increases are not new, nor are they unexpected: employers have been dealing with rising healthcare costs for decades. But as affordability continues to worsen for employers and employees alike, bold, innovative solutions have emerged. Joining The Stretch to discuss a local approach to healthcare that reduces cost while enriching benefits is Centivo CEO Ashok Subramanian.

Employers expect their healthcare cost to increase by an average of 9.2% in 2025, on the heels of 8.5% increase seen in 2024. Yet with the increasing cost, employers and employees alike are seeing less and less value. As costs increase and outcomes decrease, satisfaction and trust wane. It’s time for a new approach — but what does that approach look like? Joining us to help answer that very question is Kyle Rolfing, partner at Lemhi.