Education: Suffolk University, B.S.; Suffolk University Law School, J.D.; Suffolk University, Frank Sawyer School of Management, Master’s Degree in Finance.

Bar Admissions: Massachusetts; U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit; Supreme Court of the United States.

Associations: Self-Insurance Institute of America, Inc. (SIIA); Board of Trustees at the Inly School; Board of Directors at the Boys & Girls Club of Metro South.

Publications: BenefitsPRO; Money, Inc., The Self-Insurer.

Speaking Engagements: SISC Healthcare Symposium (2022); Custom Design Benefits 15th Annual Customer Conference (2022); Annual Captivated Health Member Meeting (2022); Berkley Captive Symposium (2022).

Adam V. Russo, Esq. is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Phia Group, LLC, an experienced provider of healthcare cost containment techniques that channels cutting-edge technologies and unparalleled legal expertise toward reducing healthcare costs.

Attorney Russo is also the founder and managing partner of The Law Offices of Russo & Minchoff, a full-service law firm with offices in Boston and Canton, MA. Attorney Russo’s practice is devoted to representing employers, plan fiduciaries, third-party administrators, and carriers in employee benefit matters throughout the United States. He is a published author and frequent speaker on employee benefit topics at webinars, conferences, and seminars across the country.

Attorney Russo, who was recognized by Suffolk University with the 2005 Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award, was the 2019 Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Self-Insurance Institute of America, Inc. (SIIA) and will be returning to SIIA’s Board of Directors in 2023.

Adam enjoys spending time with his wife Kelly and their four wonderful children, Soli, Maeve, Shae, and Samuel, and rooting for his beloved Cleveland Guardians baseball team.

Education: Cornell University, B.S.; Rutgers University School of Law, J.D.

Bar Admissions: Massachusetts; 1st Federal Circuit.

Associations: Society of Professional Benefit Administrators (“SPBA”); The Health Care Administrator’s Association (“HCAA”); The Health Plan Alliance; Self-Insurance Institute of America (“SIIA”); Association of Health Underwriters (“AHU”); Various Client Events and Users’ Conferences.

Publications: The Self-Insurer; BenefitsPRO; Money, Inc.; Fringe Benefit Analysts; Worcester Sun; America’s Benefits Specialist; Healthcare Business Today; The Boston Globe; Yahoo! Finance.

Speaking Engagements: The National Association of Subrogation Professionals (“NASP”) Litigation Skills Conference;

Ron E. Peck has been a member of The Phia Group’s team since 2006. As The Phia Group’s Chief Legal Officer (“CLO”), Ron has been an innovative force in improving benefit plan provisions, handling complex subrogation and third-party recovery disputes, managing direct provider contracting, leading efforts to address industry concerns, inventing and developing acclaimed services, and otherwise spearheading efforts to combat the steadily increasing costs of healthcare.

Considered to be not only one of the nation’s top ERISA lawyers, Attorney Peck is also viewed as one of the nation’s premier self-funded health plan consultants and health benefits attorneys, lecturing at and participating in many industry gatherings. Ron is also frequently called upon to educate plan administrators, brokers, vendors and stop-loss carriers regarding changing laws and best practices. Ron’s theories regarding benefit plan administration and healthcare have been published in many industry periodicals and have received much praise. Prior to joining The Phia Group, Ron was a member of a major pharmaceutical company’s in-house legal team, a general practitioner’s law office, and served as a judicial clerk. Ron is also currently of counsel with The Law Offices of Russo & Minchoff.

Education: Indiana University, BA (with distinction); Syracuse University College of Law, J.D.

Bar Admissions: Massachusetts

Publications: BenefitsPRO; The Self-Insurer; The Phia Group Blog.

Speaking Engagements: The Phia Group podcasts and webinars; The Phia Group ICE Forums; SIIA; TABA; SPBA.

Jennifer M. McCormick joined The Phia Group, LLC in 2008. As the Senior Vice President of Phia Group Consulting, Attorney McCormick concentrates on a variety of healthcare and regulatory issues facing employee benefit plans and their administrators while also focusing on health benefit plan regulatory compliance services, including but not limited to self-funded health plan consultation, health plan exclusions, health plan limitations, health plan revisions, definitions of key items such as usual and customary fees, and the entire health plan summary plan description and summary of benefits and coverage.

Education: Willamette University College of Law, J.D.; Gonzaga University, B.A.

Bar Admissions: Oregon.

Associations: Oregon State Bar; American Academy of Professional Coders; American Health Lawyers Association; Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA); Cisco Certified Academy Instructor (CCAI).

Publications: The Self-Insurer; 31 Days Before Your CCNA Exam: A Day-by-Day Quick Reference Study Guide; 31 Days Before Your CCENT Certification.

Speaking Engagements: SIIA; SPBA; TABA.

Scott Bennett is an attorney, data analyst, software developer and a Certified Professional Coder through the American Academy of Professional Coders. Prior to joining The Phia Group, he worked at a national third-party administrator as Vice President of Access Innovation.  Prior to his TPA work, Scott was an Associate General Counsel, Director of Dispute Resolution, and designated company witness at a nationwide medical bill review company focused on commercial payor reimbursement and workers’ compensation fee schedules and disputes.

Education: The College of Idaho, B.A.; The University of San Diego School of Law, J.D.

Bar Admissions: Idaho

Associations: Board of Directors for HCAA.

Publications: SIIA; BenefitsPRO; Money, Inc.

Speaking Engagements: The National Association of Subrogation Professionals (“NASP”) Litigation Skills Conference; Society of Professional Benefit Administrators (“SPBA”); The Health Care Administrator’s Association (“HCAA”); The Health Plan Alliance; Self-Insurance Institute of America (“SIIA”); Association of Health Underwriters (“AHU”); Various Client Events and Users’ Conferences.

Tim Callender serves as the Vice President, Strategic Accounts and Business Development for The Phia Group, LLC. Prior to his current role, Tim served as a health care lawyer, staff attorney, and lead PACE counsel for The Phia Group. Before joining The Phia Group, Tim spent years as in-house legal counsel for a third-party administrator. Tim prides himself on viewing the self-funded industry from 100,000 feet while constantly working to assure that The Phia Group’s customers’ needs and strategies are met. Tim works to better the industry, generally, while employing his specific background in complex appeals, subrogation, direct provider negotiations, plan document interpretation, and stop-loss conflict resolution, while continually enhancing his knowledge of regulatory demands, vendor contract disputes, and many other issues unique to the self-funded industry.

Prior to his time as a TPA’s in-house counsel, Tim spent many years in private practice, successfully handling numerous cases through alternative dispute resolution (mediation, arbitration, etc.) as well as litigation. Tim holds a prominent role with The Phia Group’s executive leadership team while continuing to assist on many general consulting and industry projects. Tim also employs his experience to focus on the development of new services and the enrichment of The Phia Group’s existing services. Tim operates out of The Phia Group’s office in Boise, Idaho.

Education: University, B.S. magna cum laude; Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, J.D.

Bar Admissions: Ohio; United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio.

Associations: Ohio State Bar Association; Chi Alpha Nu Alumni Board.

Publications: The Self-Insurer; BenefitsPRO

Kelly E. Dempsey joined The Phia Group’s team in early 2014. She is the Vice President of Phia Group Consulting, specializing in plan document drafting and review, as well as a myriad of compliance matters. Through working for a TPA and an insurance carrier, Kelly has gained experience with balance billing and other provider disputes, COB for Medicare, reference-based pricing, usual & reasonable fees, as well as the other issues TPAs face on a daily basis. Kelly brings a unique perspective to The Phia Group and is a valuable asset to its team of consultants and health benefits attorneys.

Kelly is a board member for Project: LEARN of Medina County (Ohio), serving as President of the Board of Trustees in 2020.

Education: University of Louisville, B.A.; University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law, J.D.

Bar Admissions: Kentucky

Associations: National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP) International Disability Society (IDS) Nelson County Kentucky Board of Education

Publications: NASP Subrogator magazine.

Speaking Engagements: Warns-Render Labor Law Institute for University of Louisville School of Law; NAS.

Rebekah McGuire Dye is the Vice President of Client Solutions and Account Management with The Phia Group. Ms. Dye is leading The Phia Group’s client care service to the highest level of concierge client service ever established in the cost containment industry. As a partner to clients’ senior leadership, Ms. Dye and her accomplished team provide authentic customer care to ensure every aspect of the Phia – client relationship is positive, productive, and genuine.

Ms. Dye comes from a 25-year career in the cost containment industry. During her extensive career she has served over 150 health benefit providers in roles ranging from front line file handler to Group Vice President overseeing all commercial subrogation operations for over 20 million benefit recipient lives. Her lengthy cost containment career, while focused on the healthcare line of business, also includes experience in both disability and property & casualty subrogation matters.

While not pursuing cost containment endeavors and serving as a subject matter expert speaker on recovery matters, she is an avid reader, nature lover and family-oriented person residing in rural Kentucky. Her favorite stewardship is serving on numerous local boards focusing on the future of public education and economic development through appropriate land usage.

Education: University of Louisville, B.S.; University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law, J.D.

Bar Admissions: Kentucky

Associations: University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law Alumni Association; University of Louisville, College of Arts & Sciences Alumni Association; American Bar Association; Louisville Bar Association; National Association of Subrogation Professionals (“NASP”).

Publications: KJA, The Advocate; NASP Subrogator magazine.

Speaking Engagements: Ringler Radio, National Webinar; Ringler Annual Conference; Trover Solutions Leadership Conference; NASP 2009 Annual Conference.

Scott Byerley brings 20 plus years of experience in healthcare subrogation to The Phia Group. As Vice President of Business Development, Subrogation Recovery Services, Scott is responsible for The Phia Group’s subrogation sales to health plans across the U.S. Previously, Scott worked for another large subrogation company.

Prior to his career in sales, Scott served many years as an attorney and Director of Litigation for Gibson and Sharps, PSC, a nationwide subrogation law firm. With his background, Scott is well-versed in applicable laws and regulations that govern the healthcare industry, and specifically, subrogation, including but not limited to ERISA, FEHBA, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Scott has spent many years working closely with large health plans across the country, where he has developed a unique understanding of the value that subrogation has on the payer industry and in the overall U.S. healthcare system.

Education: Boston University, B.S. magna cum laude; Boston University, J.D.

Bar Admissions: Massachusetts

Associations: SIIA Future Leaders Committee; Massachusetts Bar Association; Boston Bar Association; Association of Corporate Counsel.

Publications: The Self-Insurer; BenefitsPro; America’s Benefit Specialist; California Broker Magazine; Boston University International Law Journal; National Security Law Brief.

Speaking Engagements: Self-Insurance Institute of America (“SIIA”); Health Care Administrator’s Association (“HCAA”); Free Market Medical Association (“FMMA”); Texas Association of Benefit Administrators (“TABA”).

Brady Bizarro joined The Phia Group as a healthcare attorney in early 2016. As the Senior Director of Legal Compliance & Regulatory Affairs, he specializes in regulatory, transactional, and compliance matters related to healthcare and employee benefits law. He provides general consulting services to clients, including employers, third-party administrators, brokers, and vendors associated with health benefit plans on matters related to the health insurance industry, including ERISA, ACA, and HIPAA compliance. He also performs contract review and due diligence on healthcare transactions and assists with dispute resolution efforts between the various players in the healthcare industry in an effort to protect plan members and plan sponsors.

During law school, Brady participated in the Edward C. Stone Moot Court Competition and completed a legal internship in the U.S. House of Representatives. He also worked as a summer associate at Greene LLP, a complex civil litigation firm in Boston that specializes in healthcare fraud cases, and as a Rule 3:03 attorney with Greater Boston Legal Services, where he represented indigent defendants in employment and discrimination cases in state court. Prior to law school, he worked as a mediator for the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and for the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.

Education: State University of New York, Oswego, B.A.; New York Law School, J.D.

Bar Admissions: Massachusetts; New York

Publications: Free Market Medical Association; The Self-Insurer; BenefitsPRO

Speaking Engagements: SIIA; TABA; FMMA; SPBA

Attorney Jon Jablon joined The Phia Group’s team in 2013. He is well-versed in the ins and outs of ERISA, stop-loss policies, PPO agreements, administrative services agreements, and health plans. Jon works on a large variety of projects for The Phia Group’s clients, including providing advisory opinions, consultative advice, and contract review.

As the Director of Phia Group Consulting’s Provider Relations Team, Jon assists TPAs, brokers, stop-loss carriers, and other entities with disputes related to both in- and out-of-network claims, various claims payment methodologies (including reference-based pricing), appeals, medical bill negotiation, and much more.

Education: Berklee College of Music, B.A.; Suffolk University Law School, J.D.

Bar Admissions: Massachusetts; Ohio.

Publications: Journal of Health and Biomedical Law.

Andrew Silverio joined The Phia Group, LLC in the summer of 2014, dealing primarily with subrogation and third-party recovery, and other opportunities to recoup funds for benefit plans. He soon branched into the consulting division of our company, assisting clients with compliance inquiries, plan document and contract drafting and revision, reviewing vendor programs, and addressing any and all other consulting questions. He now serves as Compliance and Oversight Counsel, primarily focusing on the most complex and emerging legal and regulatory issues, both internally and for our clients as a member of Phia Group Consulting. Andrew is also The Phia Group’s HIPAA privacy officer.

Education: Hobart and William Smith Colleges, B.A.; University of Massachusetts School of Law, J.D.

Bar Admissions: Massachusetts; United States District Court for District of Massachusetts.

Robert Martinez joined The Phia Group in 2019 as an attorney for the Provider Relations team to assist clients with disputes related to both in-network and out-of-network claims, overpayment recovery, and medical bill negotiation. Prior to joining The Phia Group, Robert had his own civil litigation law practice.

Education: Oakland University, B.A.; Michigan State University College of Law, J.D.

Bar Admissions: Michigan

Publications: Journal of Business and Securities Law.

Kevin Brady joined The Phia Group Consulting team as an attorney in the summer of 2019. As the Director of Plan Document Compliance, Kevin works on general consulting, plan document compliance, contract gap reviews, and general compliance issues. While at Michigan State University College of Law, Kevin worked in the MSU College of Law Immigration Clinic. After law school, Kevin worked as an attorney representing several healthcare providers in the Midwest. 

Education: University of Pikeville, B.S.; Liberty University School of Law, J.D.

Bar Admissions: Kentucky

Speaking Engagements: The Phia Group ICE Forum; Willis Towers Watson (WTW) Managed Care Roundtable and Provider Forum.

Corey Crigger joined The Phia Group’s team in 2019 as an attorney with the Provider Relations team. His mission is to assist with disputes between plans, participants, and providers as well as combat excessive medical bills and handle balance bill negotiation. Before joining The Phia Group, Corey was a litigation attorney for The Rawlings Company. He dealt mainly with the subrogation rights of Medicare Advantage plans and State Medicaid plans. Along with being a litigation attorney he also managed a subrogation and recovery team. Since joining The Phia Group, Corey has moved into a leadership role in the Kentucky office.
 
Corey’s greatest accomplishment in life is his family. He and his wife Brooke have two beautiful girls, Cora and Emilia.

Education: Florida Coastal School of Law

Bar Admissions: Kentucky

Speaking Engagements: University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law

Cindy Merrell recently joined The Phia Group as a Senior Subrogation Attorney. Cindy’s responsibilities include utilizing her legal expertise and negotiation skills to maximize health plan recoveries from responsible third parties. Cindy has earned the Certified Subrogation Recovery Professional designation from the National Association of Subrogation Professionals.  

Before joining The Phia Group, Cindy served as a healthcare subrogation attorney advocating for some of the nation’s largest payers. Before discovering her passion for healthcare advocacy, Cindy spent her first six years out of law school litigating cases for injured people. Cindy has spent time in the courtroom and is very familiar with all aspects of the litigation process.

In addition to healthcare advocacy, Cindy enjoys spending time with her family and pursuing her passion for American Saddlebred horses.

Education: The University of Louisville, B.A./Master’s Degree in Secondary Education; Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville, J.D.

Bar Admissions: Kentucky; the United States District Court in Western Kentucky.

Associations: Kentucky Bar Association; Louisville Women in Business for Good.

Jennifer Armstrong (“Jenny”) joined The Phia Group as a Senior Subrogation Attorney in August 2020 and now serves as Director, Recovery Services. Jenny comes from a 19-year subrogation/reimbursement/Workers’ Compensation recovery career with two of the largest payment integrity and cost containment companies in the market. Prior to Phia, she served as Associate General Counsel and Director of Workers’ Compensation to The Rawlings Group as well as in multiple roles including Workers’ Compensation Operations Supervisor and Senior Litigation Specialist with Equian/Optum.  

She has represented over 100 health plans throughout her career and is knowledgeable in ERISA self-funded, state insured, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Federal Employee Benefit Plans with a special emphasis on Workers’ Compensation recovery. Prior to her subrogation career, Jenny was a solo practitioner in Kentucky representing clients in personal injury and family law matters. 

In her free time, Jenny enjoys spending time with family and her dogs, traveling as well as camping and hiking. 

Education: McMurry University, B.A.; New England Law | Boston, J.D.

Bar Admissions: Massachusetts

Associations: Intellectual Property Law Association; International Law Society.

Publications: BenefitsPRO; The Self-Insurer.

Speaking Engagements: : Texas Association of Benefits Administrators (TABA) Conference

Nicholas Bonds joined The Phia Group, LLC as an attorney in the winter of 2018. He is a member of Phia Group Consulting’s Independent Consultation & Evaluation (ICE) team, working on consultation, plan document review, and regulatory compliance with state and federal laws including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA and more.

Education: Rhode Island College, B.A.; New England Law | Boston, J.D.

Bar Admissions: Massachusetts

Associations: Boston Bar Association

Bryan M. Dunton joined The Phia Group, LLC in June 2019 as a Health Benefit Plan Consultant while attending law school at New England Law | Boston. Upon successful passage of the Bar and being admitted to practice in Massachusetts in 2022, he has become a member of Phia’s legal team through its consulting division. Bryan provides general consulting and drafting services to clients, including but not limited to plan document compliance, ERISA, ACA, MHPAEA, PDA, and HIPAA compliance.

While attending New England Law on a Dean’s Merit Scholarship, Bryan earned Dean’s List honors and was awarded the New England Scholar Award during his final two years. Bryan graduated cum laude, also earning a certificate specializing in Compliance and Risk Management. In addition to his academic achievements, Bryan originally served as an evening division student representative and later as the Chief Justice of the Student Bar Association, while also chairing its Constitution and By-Laws Committee.

Education: Boston College, B.S.; Suffolk University Law School, J.D.

Bar Admissions: Massachusetts

Brian O’Hara joined The Phia Group in September of 2019.  As an attorney with the Provider Relations team, Brian primarily focuses on settling high-dollar medical claims directly with healthcare providers.  He also assists team members with balance-bill negotiations, legal research, and medical claim reviews.

Prior to joining The Phia Group, Brian was an associate with Turk & Quijano, LLP as well as The Cloutier Law Firm, LLC.  Brian has represented clients in hundreds of cases throughout Massachusetts in matters relating to personal injury, consumer protection, contractual disputes, criminal defense, and landlord-tenant law.  

Education: Indiana University, B.A.; Drake University M.A.; Suffolk University Law School, J.D.

Bar Admissions: New Hampshire (state and federal courts); Massachusetts (in-house counsel)

Associations: New Hampshire Bar Association Finance Committee; American Bar Association; International Association of Privacy Professionals.

Melinda Bellis joined The Phia Group in September 2021. As General Counsel, Attorney Bellis is responsible for providing legal advice and strategies to The Phia Group’s executive and legal teams, overseeing internal processes, procedures, policies, and corporate governance matters, managing the intellectual property portfolio, as well as negotiating client and vendor contracts. With a diverse background in both in-house and law firm settings, Melinda provides expertise in intellectual property, compliance, risk management, and complex transactions.

  
Prior to The Phia Group, Attorney Bellis served as the Deputy General Counsel for CalAmp, a publicly traded telematics and asset management company, after spending over a decade in the business litigation department at Morrison Mahoney LLP, a Boston-based law firm.

Education: Assumption University, B.A.; New England Law | Boston, J.D.

Bar Admissions: Massachusetts; Minnesota.

Julia Goyette serves as the Associate General Counsel for The Phia Group, whereby she works on the drafting, distribution, and review of service and vendor contracts while helping with a myriad of in-house legal matters. An integral member of Phia’s in-house legal team, Attorney Goyette joined The Phia Group in 2020 while she was obtaining her Juris Doctor at New England Law, during which she earned her Certificate in Intellectual Property Law while serving as a member of the Intellectual Property Law Association and being named to the Dean’s List every semester. 

Education: Bridgewater State University; B.S.; University of Massachusetts School of Law, J.D.

Bar Admissions: Massachusetts

Connor Gillen joined The Phia Group as a Subrogation Attorney in 2021. In his current role, Attorney Gillen leverages his legal knowledge and negotiation skills toward maximizing health plan recoveries from third parties. In addition to his work in Phia’s general subrogation department, Attorney Gillen also contributes to work on mass tort cases. While attending University of Massachusetts School of Law, from which he graduated cum laude, Connor participated in the UMass Law Community Development Clinic, both as a student and senior fellow. 

Education: SUNY Albany, B.S.; University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law, J.D.

Bar Admissions: Kentucky; Illinois

Publications: NASP Subrogator

Speaking Engagements: NASP webinar.

Lisa Hill joined The Phia Group in 2021 as a Senior Subrogation Attorney. Lisa brings to The Phia Group over two decades’ experience in both property & casualty and health care subrogation work. In her most recent work experience prior to Phia, Attorney Hill managed litigation on a national level and has supervised different levels of attorneys and claims handlers in both the property and casualty and health care subrogation field. Lisa resides in Kentucky with her husband and in her free time enjoys reading, cooking, and knitting. 

Education: University of Connecticut, B.S.; Case Western Reserve University, J.D.

Bar Admissions: Massachusetts

Elliot Logan serves as a Subrogation Attorney for The Phia Group. Attorney Logan has a strong background in intellectual property law as he interned at the NASA Glenn Research Center. His work experience also includes serving as a Kramer Law Clinic Intern for the Health Law Clinic. 

Elliot has a wide range of legal interests including reproductive rights, genetics and the law, and regulatory law. When he is not practicing law, Elliot enjoys hiking, animal rescue volunteering, and bouldering.

Education: University of Connecticut B.A., 2019; Suffolk University Law School J.D., 2022

Bar Admissions: Massachusetts

In spring 2023, Kendall Jackson, Esq. joined The Phia Group as a Consulting Attorney, in which she primarily assists with drafting responses to consulting questions from PGC referral and ICE clients. Prior to her time at Phia, Attorney Jackson served as a judicial intern at the Boston Municipal Court (Charlestown Division), helping participants navigate recovery programs administered by the drug court.

At Suffolk University Law School, Attorney Jackson was a staff member on Suffolk Transnational Law Review. She was published in Suffolk Transnational Law Review Volume XLV Winter 2022 for her note titled, “Comprehensive Criminal Responsibility: The Benefits of Cumulatively Prosecuting Foreign Terrorist Fighters.”

When she is not practicing law, Kendall enjoys baking, training at CrossFit, and traveling around the world.