Empowering Plans Segment 29 - Disruption or Not?
February 7, 2018, Podcasts By The Phia Group
In this episode, our hosts discuss the recent announcement that Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan are looking to collaborate on “health care.” Is this just a new way to supply medical goods, deliver care, or handle the entire exchange (including enrollment and payment)? How can broker/advisors, plan administrators, and other members of the industry benefit from this change? And who should be most concerned? This and more await you in “Empowering Plans.”
Empowering Plans Segment 28 - Game-changers
January 29, 2018, Podcasts By The Phia Group
This week, our hosts discuss Adam’s recent travels and review events. We are not alone in our attitudes and desires to change the industry for the better, and now we have proof of that fact! What ideas and concepts were shared with Adam, and how can we add fuel to the fire?
Empowering Plans Segment 27 - Mandate? We don’t need no stinking mandate!
January 22, 2018, Podcasts By The Phia Group
In this episode, Adam, Ron, and regular co-hose – Brady Bizarro – address the new tax law, elimination of the individual mandate, and how it may impact benefit plans of all types. In particular, they examine the psyche of low risk lives and ask the all-important question – how do we keep them enrolled without the mandate?
Empowering Plans Segment 26 - Lightning Strikes Twice – Top 2017 Issues Impacting 2018
January 10, 2018, Podcasts By The Phia Group
In this episode, the “Phia Group Boys” freestyle as they share the issues they felt defined 2017 and are likely to impact 2018. From taxes to law; partnerships to reform… nothing is safe from their analysis and we all benefit from their warnings! This is an episode you cannot afford to miss.
Empowering Plans Segment 25 - Breaking Down the GOP Tax Bill and How It Affects You
December 21, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
In this special edition of the podcast, The Phia Group's CEO Adam Russo and Attorney Brady Bizarro discuss the new GOP tax bill in depth. Specifically, how does the bill affect employers? What does the repeal of the individual mandate mean for the self insured industry and for the future of Obamacare?
Empowering Plans Segment 24 - Protect Your ASA
December 18, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
In this episode, our hosts (including repeat guest host Vice President of Consulting, Attorney Jennifer McCormick) discuss the rising trend in stop-loss insurance being placed by entities other than the TPA, yet the TPA is held responsible if things go sour. Listen in to see how everyone can proactively avoid issues from emerging.
Empowering Plans Segment 23 - Plans and Conspiracy
December 6, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
Bring your tin foil hats, folks! With today's episode, our hosts (including guest host, VP of Consulting, Attorney Jennifer McCormick) discuss the recent news regarding CVS purchasing Aetna as well as a new opportunity to customize plan document reviews to address different levels of need.
Empowering Plans Segment 22 - The Biggest Threats to Self-Funding: A Lightning Round
November 21, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
In this episode, The Phia Group’s CEO, Adam Russo, Sr. VP, Ron Peck, and Attorney Brady Bizarro discuss the biggest threats to the self-funded industry. From expanded fiduciary liability to stop-loss denials to a real threat to the ACA’s individual mandate, our experts give their thoughts in a fast-paced discussion.
Empowering Plans Segment 21 - Planning for Stormy Seas Ahead
November 3, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
In this episode, Adam, Ron, and their guest star – VP of Consulting Jennifer McCormick, Esq. – discuss all of the many issues creating waves as it relates to benefit plan documents, and what steps we can all take to safely navigate those waters – including setting sail on The Phia Group Flagship Template!
Empowering Plans Segment 20 - Trumping Costs and Climbing the Hill
October 19, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
With this episode, Adam and Ron welcome back a fan favorite – guest star Brady Bizarro – and discuss the wild and crazy happenings in DC. From contraceptives to cost containment; the impact of fully insured subsidies on self funded plans; and everything in between – this is one lively podcast you cannot afford to miss.
Empowering Plans Segment 19 - The Man with the Plan
October 13, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
In this episode Adam and Ron discuss the oft overlooked but – in their opinion – all important plan document. From its purpose to best practices, they discuss why legal compliance, interaction with third parties, and cost containment efforts all start (and end) with the plan terms. Bring a pen and paper – these tips cannot be missed.
Empowering Plans Segment 18 - Responsibility - Beyond the Contract
September 28, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
In this episode, Adam and Ron discuss trends impacting health plans, employers, and employees. While these issues, such as the opioid epidemic, may not seem like the biggest costs facing benefit plans today, the long term costs are real. More importantly, issues like these can be identified by examining claims data; but most administrators are not contractually responsible to do so. Adam and Ron discuss why these entities should consider adding such services to their offerings – despite not being the most impactful cost containment option or being a contractual responsibility of the administrator.
Empowering Plans Segment 17 - Cutting Out Conflict
September 11, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
When it comes to securing stop-loss, too many benefit plans think the ball is only in the stop loss carrier’s court. Today, our hosts explain what plan administrators can do to cut out conflict and tie up loose ends before they suffer a costly loss. Ensuring an ongoing and fruitful relationship between plans and stop loss tomorrow requires intensive work today. Addressing these potential costly issues now will guarantee reimbursements are in the bag later.
Empowering Plans Segment 16 - In Reference to Reference Based Pricing
August 21, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
This week, Adam Russo and Ron Peck accept that an answer to the high cost of healthcare won’t be coming from D.C., and that health plan administrators (with the help of their partners and advisors) need to address the costs internally. Amongst options to do just that, so-called “Reference Based Pricing” is a hot topic in our industry. Join Ron and Adam as they pick apart this method for containing costs, identify the pros and cons of an “RBP” plan, and discuss options to customize such a program.
Empowering Plans Segment 15 - Stopping the Bleeding
August 11, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
This week, The Phia Group’s CEO, Adam Russo and Attorney Brady Bizarro interviewed Garrick Hunt, Phia’s Sales Executive, about some of the most common burdens self-funded employers are facing in our industry. From out-of-network claims to air ambulance to specialty drugs, we explore cost-containment strategies and discuss the potential compliance concerns for employers. Finally, we answer a question from our mail bag regarding best practices for handling overpayments.
Empowering Plans Segment 14 - Repeal & Replace Fails: What's Next?
August 7, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
This week, The Phia Group's CEO, Adam Russo, Sr. VP, Ron Peck, and Attorney Brady Bizarro discuss the dramatic events on Capitol Hill and the shocking failure of Senate Republicans to repeal and replace Obamacare. Despite this serious setback, Republicans are not ready to give up. We'll discuss the path forward.
Empowering Plans Segment 13 - Your Friendly Neighborhood Provider
July 17, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
Taking a positive view on the industry, Ron Peck, Jon Jablon and Andrew Silverio today share stories and examples of providers working with payers to preserve the private employer based group health plan industry. From price transparency, to direct primary care, to medical tourism – providers that are willing to innovate and work with payers get their moment in the sun with this episode.
Empowering Plans Segment 12 - The Cost of Care
July 10, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
This week The Phia Group's CEO, Adam Russo and Sr. VP, Ron Peck, interviewed Attorney Jon Jablon - Director of Provider Relations, regarding the seemingly increasing number of excessive charges being billed by providers to health plans, strategies to cut costs, and importantly - ways to work with providers rather than against them, in an effort to implement an arrangement that works for all involved.
Empowering Plans Segment 11 - The Senate Unveils its Repeal & Replace Bill
June 22, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
In this special edition of the Empowering Plans podcast, Sr. Vice President and General Counsel Ron Peck and Attorney Brady Bizarro give their initial thoughts on the Better Care Reconciliation Act. What is in this new bill? What does it mean for the self-funded industry? What is next for healthcare reform?
Empowering Plans Segment 10 - Plan Tales: The Good, Bad, and Really Bad
June 19, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
In this episode, Adam Russo and Ron Peck interview two key members of The Phia Group’s consulting division – Vice President of Consulting, Attorney Jennifer McCormick, and Product Developer, Kristin Spath. These two have tales to tell, regarding their experiences helping clients with unusual questions, and transforming outlandish ideas into real benefit plan innovations.
Empowering Plans Segment 09 - In the Land of the Blind
June 5, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
The Congressional Budget Office (“CBO”) has released its assessment of the American Health Care Act (Version 2.0), and once again the focus seems to be on who will lose insurance, gain insurance, and change insurance. Yet, as lawmakers stumble with blinders on, addressing only the matter of insurance, other important factors – such as the actual cost of care itself – remains conspicuously absent.
Empowering Plans Segment 08 - Healthcares? Alternative Provider Payment Programs
May 22, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
The Phia Group’s CEO, Adam Russo, and Sr. VP & General Counsel, Ron Peck, discuss movements within the healthcare provider community to change how they charge (and receive payment) for services rendered. For better or worse, change is on the way!
Empowering Plans Segment 07 - The American Health Care Act
May 8, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
Repeal and replace, the ACA, the AHCA - what does it all mean? How does it affect us? What’s next? Join The Phia Group's CEO, Adam V. Russo, Sr. VP, Ron E. Peck, and Attorney Brady Bizarro as they discuss the American Health Care Act, which passed the House of Representatives on 05/04/2017.
Empowering Plans Segment 06 - An Employer Call to Action
April 25, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
A podcast dedicated to employers. Our goal is to show employers what they can do to improve their health plan and plan performance, without relying on third parties. It’s time for employers to get into the game!
Empowering Plans Segment 05 - The AHCA Failed: Where To Next?
April 4, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
Join The Phia Group's CEO, Adam V. Russo, Sr. VP, Ron E. Peck, and Attorney Brady Bizarro as they discuss the recent, stunning failure of the GOP's American Health Care Act, the most recent news and predictions on the effort to repeal and replace the ACA, and what this all means for the self-funded industry.
Empowering Plans Segment 04 - Attack of the Killer Savings
March 13, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
Join The Phia Group's CEO, Adam V. Russo, and Sr. VP, Ron E. Peck, as they describe how The Phia Group identifies facilities that provide the best outcomes for the least cost, and encourage plan participants to visit those facilities.
Empowering Plans Segment 03 - The Journey Continues
February 28, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
Once again The Phia Group’s CEO, Adam V. Russo, and Sr. VP, Ron E. Peck, delve into what makes their own company’s health benefit plan unique, and share tips employers (and those that service them) can use to improve their own plan’s performance.
Empowering Plans Segment 02 - The Next Episode
February 13, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
In this second installment of The Phia Group's official podcast, our hosts begin sharing what makes their own health plan a source of savings for the employer and benefits employees love.
Empowering Plans Segment 01 - The Maiden Voyage
JANUARY 30, 2017, Podcasts By The Phia Group
Welcome to the maiden voyage of "Empowering Plans," a new Podcast by The Phia Group where our hosts will review the purpose of this new series of Podcasts, reveal what the next few episodes will be about, and open the forum to our partners for comments and ideas.