#504 Carrots are Better Than Sticks - with Ross Bjella | ShiftShapers

In this episode of Shift Shapers, David interviews Ross Bjella, founder and CEO of Alithias, Inc., to discuss the challenges of changing health care behavior and the inaccuracies in measuring those changes. They explore the complexities of helping patients understand their health care options and costs, and advocate for transparent, actionable data to aid in more informed decisions. This Episode is Sponsored by BenepowerBenePower is an AI-powered platform that helps advisors build high-impact, self-insured health plans quickly and seamlessly by integrating the best point solutions, eliminating inefficiencies, and improving collaboration. It streamlines plan creation, reduces costs, enhances member outcomes, and positions advisors as industry leaders. Learn more at Benepower.com.Transforming Health Care Behavior: Insights from Ross Bjella, CEO of Alithias, Inc.Ross shares his journey into the health care sector, the importance of data-driven strategies, and how incentives can help patients choose high-value care providers. He also delves into the impact of consumer-directed health plans and how different company cultures affect health care engagement.Key Takeaways**Carrots Over Sticks:** Positive incentives (carrots) work better than punitive measures (sticks) in driving desired behavioral changes in healthcare.**Challenge of Accurate Data:** Current tools and survey methods for measuring behavior changes in healthcare are not as accurate as desired. Ensuring accurate data collection and utilization is critical.**Impact of Cost on Patients:** High deductibles and out-of-pocket responsibilities can lead to patients being functionally uninsured, causing them to delay care and potentially leading to more severe health outcomes and increased costs.**Importance of Actionable Data:** Access to clean, normalized data that is understandable and actionable for patients and their families is crucial for making informed healthcare decisions.**Effective Communication and Incentives:** Effective communication strategies and financial incentives (like waiving deductibles or providing cash rewards) can significantly improve patient engagement and lead to cost savings for both providers and patients. Tailoring communication and benefits to the culture of the organization is essential for success.In This Episode00:00 Introduction to Healthcare Behavior Challenges00:47 Meet Ross Bjella: Journey to Healthcare Solutions01:03 Understanding the Problem: High Costs and Insurance Issues04:43 The Role of Data in Healthcare Decisions08:33 Actionable Data for Patients and Plans16:02 Engaging Employees and Employers21:20 Measuring Success and Future Outlook27:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts