Self-Funding in Practice: Insights from Mona Martin

If navigating self-funded health plans, catastrophic claims, and executive buy-in feels overwhelming, this episode shares real-world strategies to build trust and achieve long-term success without shifting costs to employees. Resources Mentioned: 2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including self-funding, pharmacy strategies, and HR advocacy. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026] Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits. Listen and Subscribe: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com. Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Mona Martin, HR Leader at HM Dunn Aerosystems, to explore the realities of managing self-funded health plans in a mid-sized manufacturing environment. Mona shares decades of experience at the intersection of employees, executives, and financial risk, discussing the pros and cons of self-funding, handling catastrophic claims, and innovative pharmacy approaches. She emphasizes transparency, trust-building with leadership, and flexible policies to advocate for people while speaking finance's language. From White House summits to on-the-ground employee relationships, this conversation delivers practical insights for HR leaders aiming to navigate renewals, volatility, and culture. Whether you're considering self-funding or optimizing existing plans, Mona's stories offer a roadmap to sustainable, people-centered benefits. Guest Bio: Mona Martin is the HR Leader at HM Dunn Aerosystems in Wichita, Kansas, specializing in self-funded health plans and employee advocacy in manufacturing. With decades of experience, she focuses on balancing financial discipline with human impact through transparency and relationships. A White House summit attendee, Mona is passionate about "doing it afraid" to drive bold HR strategies. Host: Kelly Bowman Key Timestamps: 00:00 - 01:20: Introduction to self-funding challenges and real-world impacts. 01:20 - 02:05: Show intro and welcome. 02:05 - 03:15: Mona introduces herself, her role, and a fun fact. 03:15 - 04:10: Personal chit-chat on White House experiences. 04:10 - 06:00: Defining self-funding and its evolution in practice. 06:00 - 07:00: Shift to creative pharmacy and risk strategies. 07:00 - 08:30: Impact on budgets, employees, and executive buy-in. 08:30 - 10:50: Common pitfalls: Rigid policies and volatility, with examples. 10:50 - 13:15: Client story on catastrophic claims and recovery. 13:15 - 15:55: Measuring success: Savings metrics, trust, and ROI. 15:55 - 19:25: Designing programs for manufacturing workforces. 19:25 - 21:25: Communication trends and tools for transparency. 21:25 - 22:30: Misconceptions about self-funding risks. 22:30 - 24:00: Bridging HR advocacy with finance, plus flexibility examples. 24:00 - 26:00: Evaluating options and building credibility. 26:00 - 28:30: Mindsets holding employers back: Fear of the unknown. 28:30 - 29:45: Upcoming trends: Integrated advocacy and data use. 29:45 - 31:55: Rethinking employee support through relationships. 31:55 - 33:30: Building a trust culture from executives to frontline. 33:30 - 34:40: Role of flexibility, data, and personalization in plans. 34:40 - 34:55: Branding benefits for employee understanding. 34:55 - 35:40: Must-have strategy for 2026: Proactive risk management. 35:40 - 37:55: Advice for organizations: Build relationships, advocate boldly, and focus on core competencies. 37:55 - End: Closing thanks and show outro. Resources Mentioned (Repeated for Convenience): 2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including self-funding, pharmacy strategies, and HR advocacy. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026] Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits. Listen and Subscribe (Repeated for Convenience): If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.