Becker’s Payer Issues Podcast

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Lila Benayoun, Chief Operating Officer, MetroPlusHealth. She shares how the organization is combining predictive analytics, personalized outreach, and community-based services to proactively manage care, improve member satisfaction, and address social determinants of health across New York City.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Mark Rich, Former President and current Board Member of Steward Health Care System LLC. Mark shares insights from the provider and ACO perspective on accelerating value-based care, aligning payer-provider collaboration, and leveraging actionable data to drive both affordability and improved outcomes.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Lawrence Hamilton, Executive Vice President, The Permanente Medical Group. Lawrence discusses the power of payer-provider alignment in delivering population health, advancing health equity across service lines, and using real-time patient feedback to enhance care experience and outcomes.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable, features Dr. Aisha Rahim, Medical Director and Co-Lead, AI Governance Council, Johns Hopkins Health Plans (JHHP). Dr. Rahim discusses how JHHP is leveraging artificial intelligence to manage costs, close care gaps, advance health equity, and enhance member engagement across a diverse population.

In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Nuovo, Chief Medical Officer of Blue Shield of California's Promise Health Plan, joins Jakob Emerson to discuss how her team is increasing access to preventive care, addressing health disparities, and building community trust through targeted outreach, innovative programs, and a focus on whole person care.

Stacy Edgar, Co-Founder and CEO at Venteur, joins the podcast to discuss how her organization is working to strike the right balance between affordability and quality in healthcare. She highlights initiatives that support new mothers in navigating their healthcare journey and emphasizes the importance of understanding and aligning with partners to drive meaningful outcomes.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Dawn Maroney, Chief Executive Officer of Alignment Health Plan and President of Alignment Health. She shares how Alignment uses AI-assisted care, culturally aware outreach, and a deep commitment to equity to deliver affordable, personalized care for seniors while preserving the human touch at every step.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's Hospital Review 15th Annual Meeting, features Nirnay Patel, EVP and GM of Benefits1™ and Chief Digital Officer at Simplify Healthcare. He shares how integrated benefits data, AI, and platform thinking are transforming payer operations and personalizing the member journey across Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial markets.This episode is sponsored by Simplify Healthcare.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Dawn Maroney, Chief Executive Officer of Alignment Health Plan and President of Alignment Health. She shares how Alignment uses AI-assisted care, culturally aware outreach, and a deep commitment to equity to deliver affordable, personalized care for seniors while preserving the human touch at every step.

In this episode of the Becker's Healthcare Podcast, Lukas Voss is joined by Chad Kersting, Business Development Director, and Dr. Eric Gratias, National Physician Executive of Medical Benefit Services, both from EviCore by Evernorth. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of utilization management (UM) beyond prior authorization—highlighting common misconceptions, the challenge of underutilization, and the growing push toward preventive, personalized care. Tune in for real-world examples, emerging strategies, and a future-focused look at how UM can better serve both clinicians and patients.This episode is sponsored by Evernorth.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Samuel Wollner, Vice President, Strategy and Partnerships, EmblemHealth. He shares how EmblemHealth is advancing health equity, leveraging Net Promoter Score for improvement, and focusing on deep community engagement to transform care delivery across New York.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Dr. Rebekah Hughey, Medical Director at Highmark Health. She shares how Highmark's Living Health model streamlines care delivery, tackles health equity through maternal health and food access programs, and enhances member satisfaction through a patient-centered, tech-enabled approach.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Crissy Turino, Chief Plan Officer & Chief Operating Officer, CountyCare. Crissy shares how CountyCare is advancing health equity through housing and food access programs, while boosting member satisfaction and outcomes through value-based care and community engagement.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable, features Catherine Tabaka, Chief Executive Officer, and Dr. Michael Cantor, Chief Medical Officer. They discuss how Matrix Medical Network's in-home care model addresses gaps in the healthcare system by enabling whole-person care, improving coordination, and supporting better health outcomes at lower costs.This episode is sponsored by Matrix Medical Network.

In this episode of the Becker's Payer Issues Podcast, Jakob Emerson speaks with Dr. Tracy Gayeski, Chief Health Officer at Catalight, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming care for individuals with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Dr. Gayeski discusses how Catalight is addressing affordability, individualized care at scale, and social determinants of health—all while preparing for the transformative role AI will play in the next two years. Tune in for a thoughtful exploration of what meaningful, sustainable, and person-centered care really looks like.This episode is sponsored by Catalight.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable, features Raj Ronanki, Chief Executive Officer, Lyric. Here, he discusses the company's evolution, its focus on real-time, AI-powered payment integrity, the strategic acquisition of ClaimShark, and Lyric's vision for enabling autonomous healthcare operations and greater transparency across the system.This episode is sponsored by Lyric.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Dr. Sachin Jain, President and Chief Executive Officer, SCAN Group. Dr. Jain discusses how SCAN is redefining member experience through human-centered care and highlights the urgent need for deeper payer-provider partnerships to drive true innovation and better outcomes in healthcare.

In this episode, Erfan Karim, Chief Clinical Operations Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, discusses the critical role of Medicaid in public health, the impact of recent policy shifts, and how innovation in care delivery can help safeguard vulnerable communities. He also shares how personal experience drives his commitment to equitable access for all.

In this episode, Alan Silver, President of Centene's ICHRA-focused Ambetter Health Solutions, joins the Jakob Emerson to discuss the rapid evolution of individual coverage HRAs, why large and small employers are embracing the model, and what it takes for insurers to succeed in this growing space.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Sheri Johnson, Vice President, Member Enrollment and Billing, UCare. Sheri discusses how member feedback led to meaningful changes in payment options—including credit card and pay-by-phone solutions—and how these innovations have significantly improved member satisfaction and engagement.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Sheri Johnson, Vice President, Member Enrollment and Billing, UCare. Sheri discusses how member feedback led to meaningful changes in payment options—including credit card and pay-by-phone solutions—and how these innovations have significantly improved member satisfaction and engagement.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable, features Jarrod McNaughton, CEO of Inland Empire Health Plan. Jarrod shares how IEHP is aligning mission, culture, and bold innovation to drive health equity, improve quality through performance-based partnerships, and enhance member satisfaction with community-centered programs.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable, features Dr. Eric Weil, Chief Medical Officer at MD Live by Evernorth. Dr. Weil discusses how MD Live is innovating virtual care through a focus on efficiency, prevention, and access—while emphasizing the critical role of quality and safety in transforming healthcare delivery. This episode is sponsored by Evernorth.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable, features Peter Kuipers, CFO of Clover Health. Peter shares how Clover's technology-first approach is enabling earlier chronic disease diagnosis, improving care quality, and driving down costs—while expanding access through a premium-free PPO model and partnerships with other payers.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Stuart Langley, SVP, Client Services, Everise & Sadie Rizzuto, Vice President, Enterprise Technology Solution Implementation, Humana. They discuss the power of predictive models, AI, and automation in improving member engagement, reducing friction in claims, and advancing proactive care and provider collaboration.This episode is sponsored by Everise.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable, features Angie Kalousek, Senior Director, Clinical Strategy and Programs at Blue Shield of California. Angie shares how her organization is innovating in value-based care, virtual delivery, and health equity initiatives to balance affordability, quality, and access for diverse member populations.

In this episode of the Becker's Healthcare Podcast, Erika Spicer Mason speaks with Brian Workinger and Lauree Handlon of The Craneware Group about how AI and data-driven insights are helping providers navigate increasingly complex payer contracting and reimbursement environments. The conversation covers predictive modeling, payer transparency, and preparing for shifts in Medicare Advantage participation, all within the broader context of value-based care. Tune in to hear how hospitals can leverage advanced analytics to drive smarter financial strategies and improve long-term sustainability.This episode is sponsored by Craneware.

In this episode, Jake Biscoglio, President of Commercial Business at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, discusses the organization's expanded partnership with Progeny Health to support families for a full year after NICU discharge. He shares personal insights and industry strategies to improve outcomes through comprehensive, family-centered care.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable, features Dr. Damanjeet Chaubey, Vice President of Clinical Affairs at Clover Health. Dr. Chaubey shares how Clover is leveraging AI-powered technology, proactive care models, and home-based strategies to improve outcomes, reduce costs, and redefine Medicare Advantage.

In this special episode recorded at Becker's Annual Meeting 2025, leaders from Noom Health share how their platform is advancing whole-person care through behavior change and digital innovation. The conversation highlights how Noom leverages data, coaching, and psychology to support better health outcomes—particularly in chronic disease management and preventative care. Tune in to hear how scalable digital solutions are reshaping engagement and impact across the healthcare ecosystem.This episode is sponsored by Noom Health.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Ty Wang, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Angle Health. Ty shares how Angle Health is using AI and human-centered advocacy to improve member experience, lower costs, and drive innovation in health plan delivery.

In this episode, Dorothy Seleski, President of Medi-Cal at Health Net, discusses the organization's $9 million investment in strengthening California's physician workforce, with a focus on underserved communities, cultural representation, and long-term collaboration across sectors.

Bob Tavernier of Quest Analytics® and Karen Tachian of Health Care Service Corporation discuss network performance in health plans including key survey insights, challenges with data quality, and how payers can use network data to drive strategic goals. The conversation highlights the importance of competitive intelligence, compliance, and member access in building high-performing networks.This episode is sponsored by Quest Analytics.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Eric Cannon, Chief Pharmacy Benefits Officer at SelectHealth. Eric shares how transparency, evidence-based care, and a personalized approach to member experience are key to driving better outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable, features Karina Lupercio, VP of Market Integration & Data, and Ann Marie Gomez, Sr. Director of Marketing at Healthcare Highways. They discuss how curated networks, culturally competent communication, and emerging technologies like AI are helping redefine healthcare access, affordability, and trust for members.

In this episode, we're joined by Courtney Yeakel, Chief Product Officer, and Michael Moore, Chief Revenue Officer at Veradigm, to explore how technology is driving deeper collaboration between payers and providers. They share strategies for reducing administrative complexity, integrating risk adjustment and quality initiatives, and harnessing AI to improve patient outcomes. Tune in to hear how trusted partnerships, data transparency, and forward-thinking governance are shaping the future of value-based care.This episode is sponsored by Veradigm.

In this episode of the Becker's Payer Issues Podcast, Erika Spicer Mason speaks with Dr. Jenna Glover, Chief Clinical Officer at Headspace, about how health plans can better address mental health challenges by moving away from one-size-fits-all models. Jenna shares how smart triage, proactive care, and precision-based strategies can lead to better outcomes, reduced costs, and more equitable access to support. Tune in to hear how health plans can take a leading role in reshaping mental healthcare delivery for the future.This is episode is sponsored by Headspace.

In this episode, Jeff Bak, President and CEO of Imagine360, discusses how his organization is innovating to make healthcare more affordable, equitable, and member-friendly. He shares insights on direct contracting, price protection, health equity efforts, and how better member engagement is driving improved outcomes.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Dr. Matthew Hurford, President and CEO of Community Care Behavioral Health at UPMC, discusses how UPMC is advancing mental health support across staff, providers, and communities. He highlights practical steps to move from awareness to action and addresses pressing challenges like youth mental health and social isolation.

In this episode of the Becker's Payer Issues Podcast, Lukas Voss speaks with Whitney Eubanks, VP of Product Management at PointClickCare, about the sharp decline in Star Ratings across major health plans and what it means for the future of value-based care. Whitney unpacks the financial, operational, and patient care implications of slipping scores—and shares how real-time data and smarter care coordination can help plans close gaps, meet critical benchmarks, and regain their edge. Tune in for a candid conversation on what it really takes to reverse the trend and boost plan performance in a competitive landscape.Sponsored by PointClickCare.

In this episode, Dr. Romilla Batra, SVP and Chief Medical Officer at Premera Blue Cross, discusses how she's rethinking clinical strategy to align with the quintuple aim, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance equity. She also shares insights on empowering providers, removing barriers to care, and partnering with communities for better health outcomes.

In this episode, we explore how data analytics and clinical expertise can transform kidney health management for health plans. Joining the conversation is Joe Vattamattam, Founder and President of Healthmap Solutions, who shares insights on why tackling chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is crucial. Tune in to learn how Healthmap leverages technology, clinical support, and innovative strategies to improve outcomes for patients and providers.This episode is sponsored by Healthmap Solutions.