Phia Group

Empowering Plans Segment 19 - The Man with the Plan

On October 13, 2017
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

On September 28, 2017
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

On September 11, 2017
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

On August 22, 2017
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.

Stopping the Bleeding

On August 11, 2017
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?

On August 7, 2017
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 P13 - Your Friendly Neighborhood Provider

On July 17, 2017
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

On July 10, 2017
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

On June 22, 2017
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

On June 19, 2017
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

On June 12, 2017
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

On May 22, 2017
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

On May 9, 2017
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

On April 25, 2017
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?

On April 4, 2017
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.