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. 

Join us as we welcome Oliver Ayres, President Key Family, Key Benefit Administrators, to discuss the Direct-to-Employer (DTE) approach to improve health care cost containment. Oliver simplifies the complexities of DTE, empowering both employers and employees to navigate the health care benefits maze more effectively. In this episode, Oliver breaks down the intricacies of DTE and shares how it can both cut costs and boost access for self-funded employers and their teams. He will also share real-world examples of how it outperforms the Reference-Based Pricing model for employers and employees. Finally, he'll share valuable advice for brokers, employers, and TPAs considering DTE adoption.

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

In this episode, Ramesh continued his discussion with Fred Goldstein, co-founder and lead host of PopHealth Week, a weekly radio show that engages thought leaders, disruptive companies, and health systems in the field of Population Health Management. This is the second of a two-part podcast that was recorded in front of a live audience at HCAA's Executive Forum and examined GLP-1, weight loss, gene therapies, reinsurance, and outcomes based contracts. The discussion also focused on population health and the use of data, access to primary care, maternity and musculoskeletal care, and more.

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

In today's episode, Ramesh interviews Fred Goldstein, co-founder and lead host of PopHealth Week, a weekly radio show that engages thought leaders, disruptive companies, and health systems in the field of Population Health Management. This is the first of a two-part podcast that was recorded in front of a live audience at HCAA's Executive Forum and examined GLP-1, weight loss, gene therapies, reinsurance, and outcomes based contracts. The discussion also focused on population health and the use of data, access to primary care, maternity and musculoskeletal care, and more.

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

On this episode of Voices of Self Funding, Ramesh hosted Michael Schroeder, the legal luminary-turned-maverick CEO of Roundstone. A lawyer by training, Mike has been on the frontlines, advocating for captives and unveiling the nuances within this captivating world of captives.

Ramesh sat down with Mike to gain an understanding of the current state of the captive market, the market’s path to maturity, the components of a captive, and how to evaluate the different types. We also gained a sneak peek into some of the challenges on the horizon for captives within the realm of self-insurance.

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