Bending The Trend

Insights from Danny Seidman In this episode, Norm Volsky welcomes healthcare advisor and founder of DHS Advisors, Danny Seidman, to discuss actionable strategies employers are using to control healthcare spend while improving quality. They explore innovative vendor solutions, primary care models, and future tech needs in healthcare navigation. Key topics include: The importance of self-insurance and direct primary care (DPC) integrationHow to control referral pathways to reduce unnecessary costsRecommended vendors like Salted Drug Primary Care, Hint, Apley, and Green ImagingBenefits of direct contracting for imaging tests like MRIs and CT scansImpact of effective primary care on reducing ER visits and readmissionsFuture opportunities with AI-driven care navigation tools  Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to healthcare cost management strategies for employers 00:50 - The value of self-insurance before adding direct primary care 01:07 - The critical role of primary care in controlling referral and costs 01:43 - The risks of hospital-based PCPs influencing cost and quality 02:13 - How direct primary care reduces unnecessary hospital referrals 02:56 - Vendor recommendations: Salted Drug, Hint, Apley, Plum Health, and others 03:43 - Point solution providers for specific conditions, such as Green Imaging 04:50 - The ROI of direct contracting for imaging services 06:12 - Impact of good primary care on clinical outcomes and hospital readmissions 07:14 - The need for innovative care navigation tools powered by AI 07:51 - Future tech: AI models to integrate point solutions and optimize care pathways 08:25 - Wrap-up: Employers’ opportunity to leverage DPC and innovative vendors for better value 

Join us for another great episode the Bending the Trend  Podcast, this week our host Norm Volsky sits down with Kristina Ewing, Director of Health and Wellbeing at Shoestring Valley Holdings. Kristina shares innovative strategies for reducing healthcare costs while improving employee outcomes. Her favorite strategies right now are Direct Primary Care and Direct Contracting. Sharing her positive experiences with Hint Health, HealthMe, and Regenexx.From the power of Direct Primary Care (DPC) to smart direct contracting and cutting-edge orthopedic alternatives, Kristina explains how employers can take control of healthcare spending without sacrificing quality.As she puts it, “Direct primary care has the biggest impact.” By focusing on proactive, personalized care, organizations are seeing meaningful improvements in both cost and experience.You’ll also hear a powerful real-world example: “We saved $50,000 on that ankle surgery.” By leveraging alternative orthopedic treatments like Regenexx, unnecessary procedures can often be avoided—leading to major savings and faster recovery times.Ultimately, these strategies are making a real difference: “Members are saving significant dollars.” Join us for this quick but informative episode!Takeaways:💡 How Direct Primary Care (DPC) improves access, lowers costs, and delivers better outcomes💰 How direct contracting with providers creates transparency and significant savings🦴 How alternative orthopedic treatments can help avoid expensive surgeries📈 How innovative healthcare strategies are transforming employer health benefits

In this episode of the Bending the Trend we are thrilled to welcome Chloe Bright, Founder & Lead Consultant of Acumen Consultants, Inc. Chloe shares her expertise on innovative pharmacy solutions, including niche PBMs, pharmacogenomics, and future industry needs. Discover how these strategies can lead to significant cost savings and improved healthcare outcomes for employers and members.Key Topics💊 Niche PBMs and their advantages🧬 Role of pharmacogenomics in cost savings🚀 Emerging pharmacy technologies and solutions⚠️ Industry challenges and future needsChapters00:00 Introduction to Chloe Bright and her expertise00:19 Chloe's background in benefits and PBM consulting00:43 Key qualities in selecting pharmacy vendors: Flexibility01:11 Top niche PBMs Chloe recommends01:40 Technology innovations improving member experience02:09 The impact of pharmacogenomics on healthcare costs02:31 Reducing polypharmacy and adverse drug events03:05 Precision medicine in pharmacy03:33 Emerging specialty pharmacies and cost management04:20 Results and data showing cost savings from niche PBMs04:49 Typical savings percentages and financial impact05:17 Reinvesting savings into employer and employee benefits06:02 Industry needs: Better vendor communication and ROI tools07:02 The concept of a vendor integration platform08:08 Future solutions to improve vendor collaboration08:50 Closing remarks and industry outlook09:02 Bending the Trend Outro

In this episode of Bending the Trend, Norm Volsky sits down with Stephanie Porrino, CEO and Founder of Empower Healthcare Insights, to discuss practical strategies employers can use to control rising healthcare costs. Stephanie shares lessons from her 30 years in HR and benefits leadership, including how reference-based pricing, transparent PBMs, and direct primary care models can dramatically reduce healthcare spend while improving employee outcomes. The conversation also explores the growing disconnect between HR leaders and insurance advisors, the importance of controlling referrals through primary care, and why better healthcare consumer education remains one of the biggest gaps in the employer benefits ecosystem. Key Takeaways🏥 Healthcare cost containment strategies 🧩 Vendor selection for benefits optimization 🩺 Innovations in primary care and pharmacy benefits 📉 Reference-based pricing and claims cost reduction 💊 Transparent PBMs and pharmacy cost management 👨‍⚕️ Direct primary care and controlling healthcare referrals 🤝 Bridging the gap between HR leaders and insurance advisors 📚 The need for better healthcare consumer education Chapters00:00: Introduction and meeting at U Powered Symposium01:05: Stephanie’s background and founding Empower Healthcare Insights02:10: Vendor strategies that drive healthcare cost savings03:40: Reference-based pricing and $21M in claims savings05:00: Transparent PBMs and pharmacy cost reduction06:10: Direct primary care and controlling healthcare referrals08:10: Why consumer healthcare education is still missing09:45: Nomination for the next Bending the Trend guest10:40: Bending the Trend Outro Season  

Join us for a powerful, insight-packed compilation episode of Bending the Trend where we spotlight real-world digital health solutions that are driving impact for employers of all sizes.From Benefits leaders who work with with employers with 100 employees to 30,000+ employees, our guests share what’s actually working — and why the biggest mistake you can make is doing nothing at all.The overarching theme? 👉 Get out there and DO SOMETHING.💡 Notable Digital Health Solutions MentionedOur guests highlight innovative partners that are reshaping healthcare delivery, including:🧠 Hinge Health🏥 Garner Health📊 Quantify🦷 Walrus🚀 Leap healthAmong others!! 🎤 Hear From Our Incredible GuestsWe’re joined by industry leaders who live and breathe employer-sponsored healthcare strategy:Scott Kirschner – Senior Director, Global Benefits at GreystarShawn Gremminger – President & CEO of National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser CoalitionsJake Frankel – Founder of ASF StrategiesPatrick Moore – Co-Founder of PretektDavid Fosgate – Senior Vice President at LocktonKristine Karnath – Group Vice President, Global Total Reward at Moog inc.Lee Lewis – Chief Strategy Officer & GM Medical Solutions at Health Transformation Alliance🔥 Whether you’re a benefits leader, HR executive, or healthcare innovator, this episode is packed with actionable insights, bold perspectives, and proven solutions you can implement today.🎧 Tune in now and start bending the trend in your organization!

In this Bending The Trend segment, Norm Volsky sits down with Lee Lewis for a rapid-fire conversation on digital health vendors that truly deliver value. Lee shares candid perspectives on solutions he believes consistently generate strong outcomes, member engagement, and measurable ROI. The discussion highlights standout vendors like Walrus for employee engagement and financial impact, Enthea for breakthrough addiction treatment innovation, and the strategic value of leveraging employer coalitions like HTA to streamline healthcare procurement. The conversation emphasizes cutting through vendor hype, focusing on real results, and improving employer healthcare decision-making. Takeaways✅ Not all digital health vendors deliver measurable value — outcomes and engagement matter most. ⭐ Walrus stands out for strong member satisfaction and significant financial ROI. 🧠 Enthea represents a promising advancement in addiction treatment with new therapeutic approaches. 💙 Behavioral health innovation remains a critical frontier for employer health strategies. 🤝 Employer healthcare coalitions like HTA can accelerate contracting and improve transparency. 📊 Vendor selection should prioritize outcomes, member experience, and financial impact. 💬 Testimonials and employee engagement are strong indicators of solution effectiveness. ⚡ Smarter procurement processes can reduce costs and implementation timelines. Chapters00:00   Introduction to the Segment00:20  Vendors That Truly Deliver Value00:40   Walrus and Member Engagement Success02:10   Enthea and Addiction Treatment Innovation03:45   Employer Procurement Strategy (HTA Insight)04:20  Final Thoughts on Vendor Selection   

In this episode of Bending the Trend, host Norm Volsky speaks with Kristine Karnath, VP of Total Rewards at Moog, about the company's innovative approaches to employee health and wellness. They discuss Moog's history, the implementation of digital health solutions, and the importance of onsite wellness programs. Kristine shares insights on pharmacy benefits management and specialized health solutions, emphasizing the need for measurable outcomes and ROI in health programs. The conversation highlights the challenges and successes in navigating the complex healthcare landscape for employees. Takeaways✈️ Moog is an aerospace defense company with a global presence. 💻 Digital health solutions are essential for employee wellness. 🏥 Onsite wellness centers have proven effective for employee care. 🤝 Partnerships with vendors like Premise Health enhance service delivery. 💊 Pharmacy benefits management can significantly impact healthcare costs. 📈 Specialized health solutions can improve employee productivity. 📊 Measuring ROI in health programs is crucial for success. 📣 Communication is key to ensuring employees utilize available resources. 🔎 There is a need for validated data in healthcare solutions. 🚀 Future innovations in digital health should focus on employee engagement. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Moog and Its Impact02:05 Digital Health Solutions at Moog04:02 Onsite Wellness Programs and Partnerships05:47 Innovative Pharmacy Benefits Management07:43 Specialized Health Solutions and Their Impact09:46 Measuring Success and ROI in Health Programs13:27 Future of Digital Health Solutions16:58 Bending the Trend Outro 

In this episode of Bending the Trend, host Norm Volsky interviews David Fosgate, the Senior VP of Employee Benefits at Lockton and a consultant in the healthcare space. Norm and David discuss innovative strategies to combat rising healthcare costs. They explore successful digital health solutions, cost management strategies, and the importance of supporting employees through healthcare challenges. The conversation highlights the need for transparency in healthcare and the potential for future innovations. Takeaways🏃‍♂️ Hinge Health is a leading provider of digital physical therapy. 💰 Avoiding unnecessary surgeries can lead to significant cost savings. 🎗️ Cancer care programs are crucial for self-funded groups. 💊 Pharmacy costs are a growing concern for employers. 📊 Data analytics can validate the ROI of healthcare solutions. ❤️ Emotional ROI is as important as financial ROI in healthcare. 🔄 Redirecting savings can improve employee benefits. 🚁 Airflares are a new area of interest in healthcare funding. 🤝 Collaboration among employers is essential for change. 💡 Identifying gaps in healthcare solutions can inspire innovation Chapters00:00 Innovative Strategies in Digital Health05:41 Cost Savings and ROI in Healthcare Solutions10:07 Future Opportunities in Healthcare Solutions

In this episode of Bending the Trend, host Norm Volsky speaks with Pat Moore, co-founder of Pretekt, about innovative strategies in employee benefits, particularly for mid-market employers. They discuss the importance of care navigation, direct primary care, and the impact of these solutions on healthcare costs. Pat shares insights on how to effectively implement these strategies and the challenges faced in the healthcare industry. Takeaways👩‍⚕️ Pat Moore emphasizes the importance of nurse care navigators in employee benefits.🏢 Mid-market employers often struggle with point solutions designed for larger companies.🔍 The “try” approach encourages employers to take small steps toward better healthcare solutions.🏥 Direct primary care can significantly reduce costs and improve access to care.💰 Employers can save up to 20% on MSK spend by implementing effective solutions.⚕️ DPC for expensive services can provide better care without high costs.🧭 Navigating healthcare outside of insurance networks can lead to substantial savings.💊 Employers need to focus on direct sourcing for medications and treatments.🚀 The healthcare industry needs innovative solutions to improve cash-pay options.🤝 Pat encourages collaboration and communication among employers to tackle rising healthcare costs. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Employee Benefit Strategies02:48 Navigating Mid-Market Solutions05:40 Direct Primary Care and Its Impact08:32 Challenges in Employee Benefits11:18 Innovative Solutions and Future Opportunities15:25 Bending the Trend Outro 

SummaryIn this episode of Bending The Trend, Norman Volsky interviews Jake Frankel, founder of ASF Strategies, discussing innovative strategies to combat rising healthcare costs. They explore effective vendor strategies for mid-market companies, the importance of payment integrity, and the role of reimbursement-focused strategies in controlling costs. Jake emphasizes the need for better marketing to employees about available healthcare solutions and shares insights on the challenges faced by benefits leaders. Takeaways🔍 The best vendor strategies are often unnoticed by employees 🛑 Efficient stop-loss purchasing is crucial for cost savings 💰 Payment integrity solutions can drive meaningful savings 📊 Reference-based pricing remains a powerful cost-control lever 🤝 Direct contracting vendors help employers better manage healthcare spend 🩻 Radiology services can unlock substantial system-wide savings 🏥 Advanced primary care is essential—but still often overlooked 📣 Strong employee marketing boosts engagement with healthcare plans 🧠 Understanding the technical details behind solutions is critical to success 😊 Building positive regard for healthcare plans directly impacts employee satisfaction Chapters00:00 Introduction to Healthcare Cost Strategies03:01 Effective Vendor Strategies for Mid-Market Companies06:03 Innovative Approaches to Cost Control08:59 Challenges in Employee Engagement and Marketing12:01 Final Insights and Advice for Benefits Leaders

In this episode of Bending the Trend, Norm and Shawn Gremminger discuss the challenges of rising healthcare costs and the role of various vendors in the healthcare ecosystem. They explore the importance of accountability, the mixed results of implementing new healthcare solutions, and the balance between cost savings and employee satisfaction. Sean highlights the challenges faced by benefits leaders, including point solution fatigue and the need for transparency in the healthcare system. Takeaways🎯 Employers are looking for real accountability in healthcare solutions 🧭 The patient experience improves with better navigation tools ⚖️ There is often no correlation between healthcare price and quality ⚖️ Benefits leaders must balance cost savings with employee satisfaction 😵‍💫 Point solution fatigue is a significant challenge for benefits leaders 🤝 Consultants and brokers play a crucial role in the healthcare ecosystem 🔍 Transparency in healthcare compensation is essential for meaningful change 🎯 Employers need to align their goals with the solutions they choose 💰 Savings are important, but they are only part of the equation 🔗 The healthcare ecosystem needs better coordination among solutionsSound Bites😊 Employers want to keep people happy😵‍💫 Point solution fatigue is a real challenge⚖️ Consultants are often deeply conflicted Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Healthcare Cost Challenges02:57 Evaluating Healthcare Vendors05:57 Navigating Patient Care and Cost09:01 Challenges for Benefits Leaders12:05 The Role of Transparency in Healthcare

In this episode of Bending the Trend, Norm and Scott Kirschner discuss strategies to combat rising healthcare costs through innovative vendor partnerships and solutions. Scott shares his experiences at Greystar and previous roles, highlighting successful implementations of cancer care and mental health solutions. The conversation emphasizes the importance of engaging employees in their health and the potential for cost savings through effective healthcare management. Let's get to specifics, hear Scott chat about saving almost $3 million with Lantern! He shouts out specific vendors that have saved him money. Learn from his fantastic action oriented mentality that has driven his career forward. If you are a benefits leader, this is for you. 💰 The goal is to fight rising healthcare costs through collaboration.🤝 Vendor relationships are crucial for effective benefits management.🎗️ Cancer care solutions can significantly improve patient outcomes.🧠 Mental health access remains a critical challenge in healthcare.🩺 Innovative diabetes management can lead to better health outcomes.👥 Engaging employees in their health can reduce overall costs.📉 Implementing new solutions can lead to substantial cost savings.📣 Awareness and marketing are key to successful healthcare programs.🧭 Digital navigation in healthcare is an area with untapped potential.🔗 Future solutions should focus on real-time connectivity with medical records.Chapters00:00Introduction to Bending the Trend01:06Vendor Recommendations and Experiences03:29Navigating Cancer Care Solutions06:55Addressing Mental Health Challenges09:30Innovative Solutions in Diabetes Management12:06Impact of Implementing Lantern and RULA15:51Measuring Success and Cost Savings17:14Future Challenges in Digital Navigation