In this episode of Voices of Self-Funding, host Ramesh Kumar welcomes Lee Lewis, Chief Strategy Officer at the Health Transformation Alliance and host of the Broken Benefits podcast. Together, they explore how some of the nation’s largest employers are reshaping healthcare and what smaller self-funded employers and TPAs can learn from their playbook. Lee introduces his “ABC” framework: Advanced Primary Care, Behavioral Health, and Centers of Excellence. They dive into why direct primary care is gaining traction, how advanced behavioral therapies like TMS and ketamine can unlock cost-effective mental health care, and why Centers of Excellence and tiered networks are becoming essential levers for better outcomes at lower cost.

From strategies to supplement traditional networks to practical steps TPAs can take to differentiate and deliver value, this is a powerful conversation packed with actionable insights for anyone rethinking healthcare benefits in a self-funded world.

Registration is now open for HCAA’s Executive Forum 2026, where conversations like this continue live. Learn more at HCAA.org.

In this episode of Voices of Self-Funding, host Ramesh Kumar welcomes Arun Santhebennur, Co-founder and CEO of Voicegain, to explore how voice AI is reshaping healthcare operations for TPAs, payers, and health plans.

In this episode of Voices of Self Funding, Jeff Walter and Jim Farley discuss their strategic merger, titled "Merging for Independence". They reveal how independent TPAs like JP Farley and PBA are uniting to drive innovation and enhance customer experience, avoiding absorption by larger firms.

Discover how this merger focuses on enhanced service with PBA's EOS system and in-house IT, improving operational efficiency, data management, and enabling quick, independent service delivery for customers. The discussion also highlights their future focus on Direct Primary Care (DPC) and the use of nurse navigators to optimize member experience and efficiency. It’s a compelling conversation for understanding how TPAs are evolving to offer superior, independent solutions and seamless third-party integration.

This episode was sponsored by WLT Software. For more information, visit HCAA.org.

In this episode of Voices of Self-Funding, host Ramesh sits down with Jeffrey Bloom, a 25+ year veteran in healthcare and employee benefits, to unpack the power of Direct Primary Care (DPC) for self-funded employers.

Jeff brings deep expertise spanning underwriting, care delivery, and affinity markets — and a passion for reshaping member experiences. Together, they explore how DPC:

This conversation reframes primary care not just as a benefit, but as a strategic cost-containment lever for employers committed to optimizing spend and boosting employee well-being.

This episode was sponsored by WLT Software. For more information, visit HCAA.org.

In this episode of Voices of Self Funding, host Ramesh welcomes Dr. Michael Fenster — better known as “Chef Dr. Mike” — interventional cardiologist, classically trained chef, and leading voice in the field of culinary medicine. Chef Dr. Mike will be familiar to many of our listeners as the keynote speaker at HCAA’s 2025 Executive Forum.

Together, they dive into what it means to move beyond basic nutrition advice toward a truly holistic food-health experience — where timing, setting, social connection, and emotional well-being are all part of the recipe. They explore how employers can build healthier ecosystems for their workforce, and why investing in food as medicine could offer meaningful returns when it comes to preventing chronic disease.

It’s a rich and energizing conversation that rethinks the role of food in well-being, as well as the role self-funded employers can play in making it work. This episode was sponsored by WLT Software. For more information, visit HCAA.org.

In this episode of Voices of Self Funding, host Ramesh sits down with Marjorie Morrison — renowned entrepreneur, licensed psychotherapist, and mental health innovator. With decades of clinical and business experience, Marjorie brings deep insight into how self-funded employers can better support mental health while navigating the complexity of today’s benefit landscape. She draws on her work as founder of PsychArmor and Psych Hub, as well as her policy and employer-facing advocacy efforts, to share what’s working — and what’s next. They discuss:

- The myth of one-size-fits-all mental health.

- Understanding the range of needs and solutions.

- How evidence-based practices are driving the next wave of tech-enabled mental health care.

- Why self-funded employers must take the lead in creating meaningful, flexible mental health benefit structures.

Tune in for an honest, energized conversation that reframes mental health as a strategic business priority — and learn how to turn complexity into action.

This episode was sponsored by WLT Software. For more information, please visit HCAA.org.

In this episode of Voices of Self-Funding, Ramesh Kumar sits down with Kari Niblack, CEO of Boon-Chapman, and Amy Gasbarro, President of ELMCRx Solutions, to explore what transformational leadership looks like in the self-funded space.

They discuss:

Tune in for valuable insights on what it takes to lead, innovate, and inspire in the ever-evolving world of self-funded healthcare.

This episode was sponsored by WLT Software. For more information on managing risks and controlling costs, please visit HCAA.org.

Employers need proven strategies to manage risks and control costs, but with hundreds of point solutions on the market, how do brokers know where to focus? In this episode, a leading benefits consultant shares the innovative solutions they're implementing, why these choices matter, and the pivotal role a trusted TPA plays in this process. Tune in to gain insights that can guide your own risk and cost management decisions.

This episode was sponsored by Valenz Health. For more information on managing risks and controlling costs, please visit HCAA.org.

Join me for an insightful conversation with Kirti Mutatkar, CEO of UnitedAg and President of HCAA. Discover how Kirti tripled UnitedAg’s business by leveraging the powerful resources of HCAA, and how she's bringing that same energy and passion to benefit other HCAA members. We’ll dive into the value HCAA provides to TPAs, brokers, and employers, and explore how its digital programs and live events have empowered organizations like UnitedAg to grow. Kirti will also share her vision as HCAA President and what members can expect in the next two years. Don't miss this deep dive into how HCAA helps employers offer more affordable healthcare to their employees.

This episode was sponsored by Valenz Health. For more information on HCAA, please visit HCAA.org.

Join us as we sit down with Paul Ashley, CEBS, a Vice President and Consultant at NFP. Paul has 22 years of experience managing health plans for upper- to middle-market employers. During the podcast, we talked about the various ways that organizations can improve transparency and reduce their pharmacy costs, as well as examining the latest trends in PBM contracting.

This episode was sponsored by Valenz Health. For more information on PBM contracting or other topics related to the self-funding industry, please visit HCAA.org.