# 531 Eliminating Financial Barriers - with Tom Policelli of PayMedix

High-deductible health plans have created "functionally uninsured" people who have insurance cards but can't access care due to high out-of-pocket costs, creating barriers to necessary healthcare and driving up long-term expenses. We discuss a solution with Tom Policelli of Paymedix.• Consumer confusion about benefits is the #1 issue, with affordability a close second• 45% of insured people avoided necessary care last year due to cost concerns • Nearly 30% of hospitals now require payment before scheduling services• 25% of commercially insured people have no available credit• Healthcare utilization by lower-income tiers mimics Medicaid patterns - delaying care until emergencies• PayMedix's "Super EOB" consolidates billing and offers 0% interest financing• Employers using PayMedix save 2-3% annually on healthcare trend• Unlike consumer credit companies, PayMedix uses an insurance mindset to spread risk• PayMedix maintains 95% employer retention versus the 30% industry average• TempoPay acquisition provides a card-based solution for pharmacy costs• Partnerships with companies like XO Health are expanding PayMedix's reach nationwideVisit paymedix.com to learn more about implementing these solutions.This episode is sponsored by Benepower, the platform of choice for a modern benefits experience. Benepower is an AI-powered benefits platform offering access to top products and services, enabling consultants and employers to create customized plans, optimize usage, and measure effectiveness. www.benepower.com