Episode 13: Ann Lewandowski, Co-Founder of Equitable Evidence

In this episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, Norm Volsky interviews Ann Lewandowski, a leading healthcare advocate and founder of Equitable Evidence, to unpack the structural challenges driving rising healthcare costs. Anne shares her perspective on fiduciary duty, misaligned incentives, and the lack of transparency in employer-sponsored health plans. The conversation dives into the influence of PBMs, the complexity of drug pricing, and how employers can take a more active role in reducing waste and improving outcomes. Ann also explores the growing role of AI and data analytics in healthcare, while emphasizing the importance of trust, accountability, and system-wide reform. This episode is a powerful call to action for employers, advisors, and innovators looking to challenge the status quo.  Takeaways ⚖️ Fiduciary duty is critical for protecting employer and employee interests in healthcare. 💸 Misaligned incentives are a root cause of rising healthcare costs. 🔍 Transparency in pricing and contracts is essential for meaningful reform. 💊 PBMs play a significant role in drug pricing complexity and cost inflation. 📊 Data-driven decision making can help identify and eliminate healthcare waste. 🤝 Employers should engage independent advocates to evaluate healthcare strategies. 🏢 Employer-sponsored health plans are a key lever for system-wide change. 🤖 AI has strong potential but must be built on trust and accountability. 🚀 Challenging legacy systems requires collaboration and bold leadership. 🌱 Personal wellness and resilience are important when driving industry changes.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Healthcare Advocacy 02:10 Personal Journey into Healthcare Advocacy 04:24 Navigating the Healthcare System: A Personal Story 09:32 Understanding Healthcare Decision-Making 15:48 Fiduciary Duty in Healthcare 18:53 Denials and PBM Influence on Coverage 24:41 Understanding Healthcare Costs and Incentives 28:10 The Role of AI in Patient Care 31:56 Building the Healthcare Rebel Alliance 33:00 Challenging Existing Power Structures 38:27 Engaging Employers and Advisors 42:54 Evaluating Digital Health Solutions 45:13 Empowering Employers in Healthcare 46:15 The Importance of Trust in AI 49:28 Personal Well-being and Healthy Living 51:39 Outro Follow, connect and subscribe:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-health-heavyweights-podcastYoutube: https://youtube.com/@DigitalHealthHeavyweightsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalhealthheavyweights/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heavyweightspodcast