Podcasts about health plans

In this Bright Spots in Healthcare episode, Medicare Advantage leaders confront a hard truth: high activity does not guarantee high impact. As Stars cut points rise and margins tighten, traditional segmentation and broad outreach strategies are no longer sufficient. This discussion explores how leading plans are shifting from static stratification to dynamic signal monitoring, identifying which members are realistically movable, and embedding behavioral intelligence directly into operational workflows. The focus is not on doing more. It is on doing what measurably drives lift. Our guests include: Amin Serehali, Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Independent Health Mike Leiper, Director of Government Quality Programs, Highmark Brendan Generelli, Director of Medicare Stars and Quality, Johns Hopkins Health Plans David Burianek, Chief Strategy Officer for Health Plans, MedOrion Together, they explore: How plans are distinguishing between theoretical risk and practical movability, concentrating outreach on members whose behavior can realistically change within a defined window. How leading organizations are integrating claims, pharmacy, grievance, complaint, and social drivers data with behavioral science modeling to move beyond rules based campaigns. Why simultaneous pressure across HEDIS, CAHPS, and Part D often reflects fragmentation in engagement strategy rather than isolated measure failures. How targeted pilots within defined populations create clarity before scaling enterprise wide changes. Why timing is emerging as a strategic lever, with continuous signal monitoring replacing annual segmentation refresh cycles. How embedding intelligence into frontline workflows improves alignment between engagement effort and measurable Stars influence. Panelist Bios: https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/events/beyond-segmentation-how-medicare-advantage-engagement-is-being-rebuilt/ Download the Episode Guide: Get key takeaways and expert highlights to help you apply lessons from the episode. https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Updated-Episode-Guide-Beyond-Segmentation.docx.pdf  Key Insights Summary: Find the top six strategic insights from the discussion, including detailed speaker takeaways and moderator notes. https://www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Key-Takeaways-Beyond-Segmentation-2.12.26.docx.pdf    Resources: Companion Brief: From Segmentation to Signals This companion brief expands on the behavioral intelligence framework discussed in the episode, outlining how health plans can identify movable phenotypes, align engagement timing with readiness signals, and measure causal lift against specific Stars drivers. Inside you will find insights on: Shifting from annual risk stratification to continuous behavioral signal monitoring Identifying members whose behavior is realistically influenceable within a defined measurement window Reducing wasted outreach and improving ROI through precision targeting Embedding intelligence into operational workflows rather than post hoc reporting To request your copy, email nroberts@brightspotsventures.com. Thank You to Our Episode Partner, MedOrion: Medorion partners with Medicare Advantage plans to integrate behavioral science and advanced analytics into engagement strategy. By layering behavioral phenotyping onto clinical and utilization data, Medorion helps plans identify which members are movable, optimize outreach timing, and improve measurable Stars performance. Learn more at https://medorion.com/. Schedule a Conversation with MedOrion: To explore how behavioral intelligence can strengthen your engagement strategy and improve measurable lift across HEDIS, CAHPS, and Part D, reach out to nroberts@brightspotsventures.com  to schedule a discussion with David Burianek and the Medorion team. About Bright Spots Ventures: Bright Spots Ventures helps healthcare leaders separate signal from noise and accelerate the adoption of what works. We bring health plan, provider, and innovation leaders together through curated content and high-trust convenings to build meaningful relationships and turn insight into action. Explore our podcast at www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com.

In this episode, Patrick Gilligan, President and CEO of Point32Health, shares how the New England based nonprofit is confronting rising medical and pharmacy costs while staying focused on members and employers as its true shareholders. He discusses the affordability crisis, aligning incentives with providers, and why redesigning care around the patient experience is essential to lowering costs and improving outcomes.

On this episode of the AMSSM Sports Medcast, host Dr. Devin McFadden, MD, is joined by Dr. Jesse Cook, PhD, to discuss Building a Sleep Health Plan for Athletes. In this conversation, which was recorded during the 2025 AMSSM Annual Meeting, Dr. Cook shares more information on his main stage lecture of the same name, which focused on best practices and essential principles. Dr. Cook is a postdoctoral fellow with a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research focuses on the intersection of sleep and mental health, with his primary program of research purposed to advance the classification, assessment, and treatment of unexplained hypersomnolence. He has additional research interests related to the strengths, limitations, and overall utility of wearable sleep tracking technology for research and clinical purposes, as well as the roles of sleep and circadian health in the performance and well-being of athletes. Clinically, he embraces an integrative orientation, drawing principally from CBT and third-wave therapy approaches (i.e., ACT and DBT). Registration is now open for the 2026 AMSSM Annual Meeting. Visit the conference website to learn more: annualmeeting.amssm.org/

On this episode of the AMSSM Sports Medcast, host Dr. Devin McFadden, MD, is joined by Dr. Jesse Cook, PhD, to discuss Building a Sleep Health Plan for Athletes. In this conversation, which was recorded during the 2025 AMSSM Annual Meeting, Dr. Cook shares more information on his main stage lecture of the same name, which focused on best practices and essential principles. Dr. Cook is a postdoctoral fellow with a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research focuses on the intersection of sleep and mental health, with his primary program of research purposed to advance the classification, assessment, and treatment of unexplained hypersomnolence. He has additional research interests related to the strengths, limitations, and overall utility of wearable sleep tracking technology for research and clinical purposes, as well as the roles of sleep and circadian health in the performance and well-being of athletes. Clinically, he embraces an integrative orientation, drawing principally from CBT and third-wave therapy approaches (i.e., ACT and DBT).   Registration is now open for the 2026 AMSSM Annual Meeting! Visit the conference website to learn more: annualmeeting.amssm.org/

Low reimbursement, high utilization, star ratings and risk adjustment have formed a perfect storm.

In this episode, Patrick Gilligan, President and CEO of Point32Health, shares how the New England based nonprofit is confronting rising medical and pharmacy costs while staying focused on members and employers as its true shareholders. He discusses the affordability crisis, aligning incentives with providers, and why redesigning care around the patient experience is essential to lowering costs and improving outcomes.

If you ask someone in the United States whether to reconsider their health insurance plan choices, they may sigh, roll their eyes, and offer a story about navigating a maze of deductibles, networks, and confusing brochures. In practice, most people end up doing the simplest thing possible: they stay in the same plan they are already in. Economists have long noticed this pattern. Even when plans raise their prices or competitors offer better deals, people tend to remain where they are. This raises a fascinating question: do people stay because switching is difficult, or because they genuinely prefer the plan they already have? A new study by the economist Prof. Ariel Pakes of Harvard University, and colleagues Prof. Mark Shepard and Prof. Jack Porter, digs into this puzzle and uncovers some surprising answers. Although the study uses sophisticated mathematical tools, the insights are straightforward and important for anyone interested in how health insurance markets work.

El catedrático de Veterinaria de la Universidad de Murcia Christian de la Fe comenta la importancia de la decisión de cara a mejorar la coordinación entre los países miembros a la hora de enfrentar crisis sanitarias. Una de las referencias ineludibles al tratar todo esto es la pandemia de covid y lo que aprendimos de ella: la importancia de una respuesta coordinada; recuérdese las compras conjuntas o el desarrollo de vacunas.

In this episode, Howard Brill, Senior Vice President of Population Health and Quality at Monroe Plan for Medical Care, shares insights on value based contracting, rising cost pressures, and the persistent gap between strategy and execution in population health. He also discusses the role of data integration, AI, and regulatory practices in shaping affordability, access, and health plan performance in 2026.

In this episode, Howard Brill, Senior Vice President of Population Health and Quality at Monroe Plan for Medical Care, shares insights on value based contracting, rising cost pressures, and the persistent gap between strategy and execution in population health. He also discusses the role of data integration, AI, and regulatory practices in shaping affordability, access, and health plan performance in 2026.

In this episode, Dr. Ria Paul, Clinical Associate Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine; Chief Medical Officer, Santa Clara Family Health Plan discusses how the organization has strengthened Medicaid and Medicare Advantage quality scores through closer collaboration with providers, targeted incentives, and better data flow. She also shares priorities for 2026, including regulatory readiness, member retention, and using AI to enhance engagement and care coordination.

Every clinic wants a simple recipe for digital health adoption. The problem is that most recipes fall apart the moment real-world workflows enter the picture.In this conversation, Dr. Chandi Chandrasena, Chief Medical Officer at OntarioMD, lays out why the province is shifting toward a flexible digital health toolkit instead of a rigid playbook. She explains why “technology is an enabler to the problems you have,” why standardization still matters, and why uniformity misses the mark.She also digs into AI scribes, the rise of AI inbox tools, how bandwidth gaps drive inequity, and why digital literacy needs to start long before medical school.What do you think clinics need most right now: structure, flexibility, or better guardrails? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

040 What Is An Association Health Plan And What Can It Do For Me explains what kinds of associations can offer group health plans if Congress can pass along the same exemption from state insurance laws to associations that it already provides to employer, union and federal government groups through ERISA.Association Health Plans eliminate the problem of job-lock for people who wish o change jobs but cannot afford to lose their insurance. Association Health Plans align incentives to receive better care from associations and affinity groups that exist to serve them - not shareholders or corporate administrators.Association Health Plans offer an extremely wide variety of choices for people to seek health plans that best serve them at the price they can afford.Association Health Plans drive down prices due to fierce competition among a huge increase in available plans and from a huge increase in the number of suppliers.

The government is making major changes to the structure of the NHS. NHS England is being abolished, with its functions merged into the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). At the same time, the number of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) is set to be reduced, with many expected to merge. Changes proposed by the 10 Year Health Plan, including contracts for single and multi-neighbourhood providers, will also create changes in local delivery structures. How can the government ensure that the new national structure works effectively? Should any current NHSE functions remain independent of DHSC? How should the reformed DHSC work regionally, and with ICBs, strategic authorities and trusts? How can the government make a success of the emerging ICB structure? How should local delivery structures be reformed? To discuss these questions and more, we were joined by an expert panel including: Dr Penelope Dash, Chair of NHS England Dame Patricia Hewitt, former Secretary of State for Health and author of the Hewitt Review of ICSs Samantha Jones, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health and Social Care Johan Kahlström, President and Managing Director, UK and Ireland at Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. We would like to thank Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK for kindly supporting this event.

The government is making major changes to the structure of the NHS. NHS England is being abolished, with its functions merged into the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). At the same time, the number of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) is set to be reduced, with many expected to merge. Changes proposed by the 10 Year Health Plan, including contracts for single and multi-neighbourhood providers, will also create changes in local delivery structures. How can the government ensure that the new national structure works effectively? Should any current NHSE functions remain independent of DHSC? How should the reformed DHSC work regionally, and with ICBs, strategic authorities and trusts? How can the government make a success of the emerging ICB structure? How should local delivery structures be reformed? To discuss these questions and more, we were joined by an expert panel including: Dr Penelope Dash, Chair of NHS England Dame Patricia Hewitt, former Secretary of State for Health and author of the Hewitt Review of ICSs Samantha Jones, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health and Social Care Johan Kahlström, President and Managing Director, UK and Ireland at Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. We would like to thank Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK for kindly supporting this event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SUBSCRIBE TO JORDAN'S ⁠SUBSTACK⁠. Get the facts, without the spin. UNBIASED offers a clear, impartial recap of US news, including politics, elections, legal news, and more. Hosted by lawyer Jordan Berman, each episode provides a recap of current political events plus breakdowns of complex concepts—like constitutional rights, recent Supreme Court rulings, and new legislation—in an easy-to-understand way. No personal opinions, just the facts you need to stay informed on the daily news that matters. If you miss how journalism used to be, you're in the right place. In today's episode: Judges React to Arguments in Transgender Athlete Cases; What Their Reactions Tell Us About a Potential Ruling (0:38) State Dept. Suspends Visa Issuances for Nationals from 75 Countries (11:19) Minneapolis Updates: Do ICE Agents Have Absolute Immunity? Who Has Jurisdiction Over the Investigation? FBI or State Law Enforcement? What Role Did Renee Good Play in ICE Monitoring Efforts? DHS Claims Agent Suffered Internal Bleeding (~17:24) Clintons Refuse to Testify in Congressional Epstein Probe (~29:16) Trump Unveils New Health Plan, Calls on Congress to Act (~37:00) Quick Hitters: Trump Signs Bill Allowing Whole Milk in Schools, Secret Service Agent Put on Leave After Revealing Sensitive Info to Undercover Journalist, ACLU Sues ICE and CBP, Mortgage Rates Hit Low, Trump Threatens to Invoke Insurrection Act (~44:04) Rumor Has It: Did Trump Refer to Himself as Acting President of Venezuela? Did Vance Say ICE Would Go Door-to-Door? Did the FBI Search the Home of a Washington Post Reporter? (~48:21) Critical Thinking Segment (~51:32) SUBSCRIBE TO JORDAN'S ⁠FREE NEWSLETTER⁠. ⁠Watch⁠ this episode on YouTube. Follow Jordan on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠. All sources for this episode can be found ⁠here.⁠  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out about lesser-known benefits, learn where to get coverage details, and connect with trusted resources for more help.What are some health plan benefits people don't know about? Some health plans offer wellness programs, gym membership discounts, smoking cessation programs, and certain diabetes equipment.Will my plan pay for online doctor's visits? It's common for health plans to offer coverage for online doctor appointments. This service is often called telemedicine or telehealth. It just means you can get health care in a place other than the doctor's physical location, like through your computer or phone.Can I get free annual wellness checkups? Many health plans offer free annual screenings for prostate cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and certain cardiovascular screenings if you have a family history of cardiovascular issues or certain artery problems.How do I find out what my health plan offers?Health plans must cover certain mandated benefits described in your coverage documents. Get answers about what your health plan covers by reading your policy and evidence of coverage documents. They explain what's covered and what isn't.If you still have questions, contact your health plan's customer service or the insurance agent who helped you sign up.Who can help me with a surprise medical bill?Explore resources on TDI's website - https://www.tdi.texas.gov/ - or call our Consumer Help Line at 800-252-3439. A representative can answer your questions and help you file a complaint, if needed. We answer calls from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday.00:00 Do you know everything your health plan offers? 00:40 What services does your health plan have to offer? 01:24 What other services does your health plan offer? 02:23 What free services does your health plan offer?04:26 What extra services does your health plan offer?05:31 What kind of vaccinations does your health plan offer?06:09 How can you find out all the services your health plan offers?07:29 For more info on health insurance visit our website or call 800-252-3439

Director at Get Covered Illinois Morgan Winters joins Jon Hansen on Your Money Matters to discuss how and when people can get health coverage. January 15th is the end of open enrollment and Morgan talks about the cost, information that you’ll need for the website, and financial assistance.

Today we are talking to an internal medicine doc with a great story. She started her medical school journey later in life when she and her husband decided to do whatever it took to help her fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor. Her husband quit his job to stay home and care for their 4 children and she went to medical school. Today we are celebrating her paying off $300,000 of student loans. She has worked hard to pay down debt alongside saving and buying a nice home for her family. Her tips for success are to ground yourself, have a plan and do not let your emotions make your decisions for you. Today's sponsor, Black Swan Real Estate, offers accredited investors access to private multifamily real estate investments with an investor-first model. Unlike most firms, Black Swan collects no GP-level fees and takes no profit until investors receive a full return of capital. Their physician-led team brings a hands-on approach to managing their $375M portfolio, ensuring every asset is optimized for cash flow, appreciation, and tax advantages. With a track record of meeting and exceeding return targets, Black Swan Real Estate provides stability and growth for long-term wealth building. Discover more at https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/blackswan The White Coat Investor has been helping doctors, dentists, and other high-income professionals with their money since 2011. Our free personal finance resource covers an array of topics including how to use your retirement accounts, getting a doctor mortgage loan, how to manage your student loans, buying physician disability and malpractice insurance, asset allocation & asset location, how to invest in real estate, and so much more. We will help you learn how to manage your finances like a pro so you can stop worrying about money and start living your best life. If you're a high-income professional and ready to get a "fair shake" on Wall Street, The White Coat Investor is for you! Have you achieved a Milestone? You can be on the Milestones to Millionaire Podcast too! Apply here: https://whitecoatinvestor.com/milestones  Find 1000's of written articles on the blog: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com  Our YouTube channel if you prefer watching videos to learn: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/youtube  Student Loan Advice for all your student loan needs: https://studentloanadvice.com  Join the community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhitecoatinvestor  Join the community on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WCInvestor  Join the community on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhitecoatinvestor  Join the community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/whitecoatinvestor  Learn faster with our Online Courses: https://whitecoatinvestor.teachable.com  Sign up for our Newsletter here: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/free-monthly-newsletter  00:00 MtoM Podcast #256 02:16 Internist Pays Off $300,000 of Student Loans in 7 Years 18:07 Advice For Others 21:18 High Deductible Health Plans vs PPO

On today's episode, AJMC® spoke with Dr. Sachin Jain, president and CEO of SCAN Group and Health Plan, about his 10 predictions for the health care industry in 2026. Jain breaks down his predictions and what they could mean in both the short and long term for Americans and how they may shape access, affordability, and accountability across the US health care system.

Beth Bowles, Director of Missouri Farm Bureau Health Plans, joins us to discuss a new, affordable health coverage option now available for Missourians. Missouri Farm Bureau (MOFB) Health Plans are designed for individuals, families, the self-employed, and rural communities, offering flexible coverage levels, deductibles, co-pays, preventive care benefits, and access to both in-network and out-of-network providers.Membership in Missouri Farm Bureau is required to be eligible for coverage, but becoming a member is a simple and inexpensive process. MOFB Health Plans do not follow a traditional open enrollment period—members can request quotes year-round. Enrollment for the new plans opens January 1, 2026, with coverage effective as early as February 1, 2026.Bowles also emphasizes that once enrolled, coverage will not be canceled or non-renewed due to a major health issue that develops after signup.To learn more about Missouri Farm Bureau Health Plans, contact your local Missouri Farm Bureau Insurance agent or visit MOFBHealthPlans.com for full plan details, tools, and updates.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes of my 2025 fitness journey — the wins, the pivots, and what I learned by really paying attention to my own body. I tracked a lot this past year (not just weight), and looking back has given me so much clarity heading into 2026. I'm sharing: The biggest takeaways from my year of cardio, and why it's become a non-negotiable How intermittent fasting worked for me (and what I'd tweak moving forward) Why tracking my own evidence was a game-changer How I'm balancing strength, mobility, and endurance — without burning out My personal fitness goals for 2026 and how I'm setting myself up to actually stick to them If you're reflecting on your own routines or craving a more aligned approach to movement and health this year, I hope this episode feels like a permission slip to do what works for you.

If your New Year's goals sound anything along the lines of having more energy, forming better habits, or achieving a healthier body, this Health Made Simple episode is for you. Dr. Bart will encourage you to ask yourself: What is the real reason your health goals feel roadblocked?  He shares a simple, grounded way to assess your health honestly before making any plans for 2026 so you're not guessing or starting over yet again. We're not talking extreme resolutions or all-or-nothing thinking.  Instead, this conversation focuses on awareness and understanding of where you're strong, where you're struggling, and what actually deserves your attention next. This episode is especially helpful if you: Want 2026 to feel different, not just look different Feel like you've "tried before" but never sustained results Are overwhelmed by conflicting health advice Want a practical way to identify what matters most right now Are ready to stop guessing and start building momentum Your body is always communicating. Progress starts when you learn how to listen. Want Dr. Bart's 1:1 help moving, eating, and thinking better this year?

Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins joins us to talk about Missouri Farm Bureau (MOFB) Health Plans and what they mean for Farm Bureau members across the state.Hawkins emphasizes that a Missouri Farm Bureau Health Plan is not traditional insurance, but a member-focused health benefit designed to help Missourians better manage their health care costs. When it comes to cost savings, Hawkins says available data shows that members accepted into the plan can experience meaningful reductions in health care expenses, making a real difference in their everyday lives. He adds that one of the biggest questions people ask is about benefits, and these plans are structured to provide practical options that help individuals and families manage health care needs while maintaining control of their family budget.To learn more about Missouri Farm Bureau Health Plans, contact your local Missouri Farm Bureau Insurance agent or visit MOFBHealthPlans.com for full plan details, tools, and updates.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this encore episode of 'Relentlessly Seeking Value,' host Stacey Richter revisits an inspiring conversation with Marilyn Bartlett, a CPA who transformed the State of Montana's employee health plan from a $9 million deficit to a $112 million surplus within three years.  Known for her fiscal discipline and patient-first approach, Marilyn shares her strategic steps, from identifying waste in the system and securing quick wins to negotiating better deals with hospitals and ensuring long-term success. She emphasizes the importance of assembling a strong team, maintaining transparency, and staying focused on the ultimate goal of creating real health value. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to drive meaningful change in the healthcare industry. === LINKS ===

A diatribe on the emotion of shame as it presents during the festive period Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies set to expire at the end of the year, House Speaker Mike Johnson has introduced a late-stage Republican healthcare package that notably does not extend the ACA tax credits created during the Covid-19 pandemic. Those subsidies have been critical to stabilizing enrollment and keeping coverage affordable for lower- and middle-income families. SPONSOR: AURA Frames: Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/FIVEMIN. Promo Code FIVEMIN Independent media has never been more important. Please support this channel by subscribing here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkbwLFZhawBqK2b9gW08z3g?sub_confirmation=1 Join this channel with a membership for exclusive early access and bonus content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkbwLFZhawBqK2b9gW08z3g/join Buy Anthony's microphone: https://kellards.com/products/electro-voice-re20-broadcast-announcer-microphone-black-bundle-with-mic-shockmount-broadcast-arm Buy Anthony's black t'shirt: https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/products/E455365-000/00?colorDisplayCode=09 Five Minute News is an Evergreen Podcast, covering politics, inequality, health and climate - delivering independent, unbiased and essential news for the US and across the world. Visit us online at http://www.fiveminute.news Follow us on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/fiveminutenews.bsky.social Follow us on Instagram http://instagram.com/fiveminnews Support us on Patreon http://www.patreon.com/fiveminutenews You can subscribe to Five Minute News with your preferred podcast app, ask your smart speaker, or enable Five Minute News as your Amazon Alexa Flash Briefing skill. CONTENT DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed on this channel are those of the guests and authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Anthony Davis or Five Minute News LLC. Any content provided by our hosts, guests or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything, in line with the First Amendment right to free and protected speech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, Dec. 12, include: US senators reject two partisan healthcare proposals, state senators to tour McCook's ICE detention center as officials withhold detainee numbers, Nebraska volleyball prepares to host Kansas in Sweet 16, Creighton volleyball returns to Elite Eight to face Kentucky, Bezos-funded grant supports new supportive housing units in Grand Island.

As today's show begins, the Senate is voting on competing health plans from Democrats and Republicans. But don't hold your breath for a Christmas miracle, as both plans were expected to fail, which means in just 20 days, 24 million Americans who rely on Obamacare subsidies will face crippling health care costs unless something dramatically changes.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It appears that GOP leaders in Congress are turning away from extending tax credits that would help more than 20 million Americans pay for Affordable Care Act health insurance. They're following President Donald Trump's lead. He told Politico he would not endorse extending subsidies that are set to expire, despite billing himself as the affordability president. So far, Trump's only plan for healthcare is to give people $2k to pay for it without offering details of how that would work. We welcome presidential historian and political analyst John Rothmann to discuss this and more. The Mark Thompson Show 12/10/25Patreon subscribers are the backbone of the show! If you'd like to help, here's our Patreon Link:https://www.patreon.com/themarkthompsonshowMaybe you're more into PayPal.  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVBS3R7KJXV24And you'll find everything on our website: https://www.themarkthompsonshow.com

Health subsidies are about to expire, which will send premiums skyrocketing. Republicans say they have a plan, but will it actually help you? ... On the heels of Paramount's hostile takeover bid of Warner Bros. Discovery comes a $72 billion consumer class-action lawsuit ... Consumer confidence in the economy is dropping, but people keep spending. Why?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you're planning this winter, health care costs should be just as important as your fertilizer or other input costs. With the farm economy in the state it's in and healthcare prices only going up without stability, there need to be a solution.   That's why we're thankful for our friends at teh Ohio Farm Bureau who've established health care solutions to fit you and your family's needs. In this episode of Kernels, Tadd Nicholson talks with Trevor Kirkpatrick, Director of Health Services at OFB, to talk about the options and get some answers.  Members of the Ohio Farm Bureau can apply today to more affordable health care options at https://ofbf.org/hcs/    Links: Join the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association: https://ohiocornandwheat.org/about-us/growers-association/ Learn more about the Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans: https://ofbf.org/hcs/    About Ohio Corn & Wheat Ohio Corn & Wheat works to create opportunities for long-term Ohio corn and small grain grower profitability. It is a strategic alliance of two checkoffs and one membership-based organization. The Ohio Corn Checkoff and Ohio Small Grains Checkoff work to develop and expand markets, fund research and provide education about corn and wheat, respectively. The Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association is a membership organization advocating for supportive public policy on behalf of its farmer members.  For more information, please visit www.ohiocornandwheat.org. 

In this episode, I interview Ruthann Anderson, CEO of CAPCA (California Association of Pest Control Advisors). Ruthann explains that CAPCA represents licensed PCAs (Pest Control Advisors) who she describes as “plant doctors,” often recommending non-chemical solutions such as irrigation changes, soil sampling, and nutrition adjustments before turning to pesticides. They advise across agriculture, turf, ornamental, and urban environments, and CAPCA focuses on statewide education and advocacy to support the profession. She discusses challenges like public perception and inconsistent enforcement in the past. A major example is the BeeWhere program, which CAPCA helped modernize to improve communication between beekeepers and pesticide applicators to reduce bee losses, showing how collaboration across groups leads to better outcomes.We also discuss the complexity of pest management, including public health issues like rat infestations, and the misconception that agriculture uses chemicals carelessly. Ruthann mentions grant-funded work documenting over 200 examples of PCAs choosing non-chemical approaches, which CAPCA plans to publish.We also dive into United Ag's mission to transform healthcare in agriculture: simplifying access, reducing costs, and putting empathy first with zero-copay clinics in rural communities. Ruthann highlights how thoughtful decisions, whether in farming or healthcare, lead to better outcomes, and she shares how CAPCA members can leverage United Ag's network for reliable health coverage.CAPCA: https://capca.com/Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me at kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg website - www.unitedag.orgUnitedAg Health and Wellness Centers - https://www.unitedag.org/health-benefits/united-agricultural-benefit-trust/health-centers/Episode Contributors - Ruthann Anderson, Kirti Mutatkar, Dave Visaya, Rhianna MaciasThe episode is also sponsored by Brent Eastman Insurance Services Inc. - https://brenteastman.comBlue Shield of California - https://www.blueshieldca.comElite Medical - https://www.elitecorpmed.comGallagher - https://www.ajg.com/SAIN Medical https://sainmedical.com/MDI Network - https://www.mdinetworx.com/about-us

Senate Democrats were promised a vote by mid-December on extending the enhanced subsidies for the Affordable Care Act, but Republicans still can't decide whether they want to put forward their own alternative or what that might include. Meanwhile, both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration are roiled by debates over vaccines. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico Magazine, and Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss those stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News' Aneri Pattani about her project tracking the distribution of $50 billion in opioid legal-settlement payments.  Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: The New York Times' “These Hospitals Figured Out How To Slash C-Section Rates,” by Sarah Kliff and Bianca Pallaro.  Joanne Kenen: Wired's “A Fentanyl Vaccine Is About To Get Its First Major Test,” by Emily Mullin.  Paige Winfield Cunningham: The New York Times' “A Smartphone Before Age 12 Could Carry Health Risks, Study Says,” by Catherine Pearson.  Alice Miranda Ollstein: The Independent's “Miscarriages, Infections, Neglect: The Pregnant Women Detained by ICE,” by Kelly Rissman.  

In this episode, Steve Levin, CEO of Quest Analytics®, shares how health plans can prepare for 2026 as regulations evolve and market expectations shift. He unpacks what current network trends are signaling for plan strategy, why provider data accuracy and operational efficiency are becoming key competitive differentiators, and how leaders can adopt technology and AI in practical ways that drive real, measurable value.This episodeis sponsored by Quest Analytics®.

Comprehensive coverage of the day's news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. Photo Ted Eytan Trump pick to head NASA gets second confirmation hearing after nomination pulled then reinstated; New Democratic Coalition announces health plan including protecting ACA subsidies; Senators discuss Russian abductions of Ukrainian children, legislative responses; Family of Colombian fisherman files human rights complaint over US boat strike that killed him; Trump's name added to building of US Institute of Peace that DOGE tried to dismantle The post New Democratic Coalition unveils health plan with ACA protections; Senators discuss Russian abductions of Ukrainian children – December 3, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

This episode of the Pharmacy Quality Solutions Quality Corner Show explores the critical, coordinated efforts between health plans and pharmacies to improve patient health outcomes, particularly in light of National Diabetes Month (November), recognizing that over 38 million Americans live with diabetes.Podcast Host Kerri Musselman, Director, Clinical Transformation, Pharmacy at PQS by Innovaccer discusses with guest Bahar Davidoff, VP, Clinical Programs & Pharmacy with SCAN Health Plan, insights on how community pharmacies can transition from a focus on prescription dispensing revenue to a successful clinical service model.

Just weeks before some tax credits for Affordable Care Act premiums expire, the Trump administration floated a plan to extend the enhanced aid — but it was met with immediate GOP pushback. Meanwhile, health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he ordered the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to revise its website to suggest childhood vaccines might be linked to autism. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss those stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Joanne Kenen and Joshua Sharfstein about their new book, “Information Sick: How Journalism's Decline and Misinformation's Rise Are Harming Our Health — And What We Can Do About It.” Visit our website for a transcript of this episode.Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: The New Yorker's “A Battle With My Blood,” by Tatiana Schlossberg.  Alice Miranda Ollstein: CNBC's “Meta Halted Research Suggesting Social Media Harm, Court Filing Alleges,” by Jonathan Vanian.  Sarah Karlin-Smith: The Guardian's “Influencers Made Millions Pushing ‘Wild' Births — Now the Free Birth Society Is Linked To Baby Deaths Around the World,” by Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne.  Sandhya Raman: KFF Health News' “Kids and Teens Go Full Throttle for E-Bikes as Federal Oversight Stalls,” by Kate Ruder.  

Guests:  Louis DeStefano, Chief Growth Officer, Oscar Health Jon Van Der Veer, DO, Founder & CEO, Hy-Vee Health In this special HLTH interview, Bright Spots in Healthcare host Eric Glazer speaks with two leaders shaping one of the most innovative payer–provider–retail collaborations in the country: Louis DeStefano, Chief Growth Officer, Oscar Health Jon Van Der Veer, DO, Founder & CEO, Hy-Vee Health Together, Oscar Health and Hy-Vee Health are building a new kind of health plan, one that blends local access, convenient care, primary care-first design, and tech-enabled member experience. Think of it as a hybrid model: part direct primary care, part advanced digital platform, part community-rooted retail ecosystem. This conversation dives into how the two organizations are integrating brick-and-mortar clinics, urgent care, pharmacy, SDOH-friendly retail access, and Oscar's tech stack, including "Oswell," Oscar's AI-powered clinical support tool, to deliver a personalized and coordinated experience. Topics We Cover: Why healthcare must be local, convenient, and relationship-driven How the partnership blends a supermarket chain, primary care clinics, and a tech-enabled health plan into one member experience How ICHRA is opening new doors for employer-driven personalization The role of AI and tools like Oswell in interpreting labs, improving communication, and augmenting care What a modern, scalable direct primary care model could look like The 10-year vision for this collaboration and where it expands next This episode offers a first look into a payer–retail–provider model that could reshape consumer expectations, and redefine how employer-sponsored and individual coverage works in the coming decade. References and Mentions: Learn more about the partnership between Oscar Health and Hy-Vee Health - https://www.hioscar.com/hy-vee-health Meet Oswell, Oscar Health's new health AI agent - https://www.hioscar.com/oswell  Dr. Garrison Bliss, widely recognized as the "Godfather of Direct Primary Care" -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrisonblissmd/ Bios: Louis DeStefano: https://hlth.com/events/usa/speakers/2025/louis-destefano Dr. Jon Van Der Veer: https://hlth.com/events/usa/speakers/2025/jon-van-der-veer Partner with Bright Spots Ventures: If you are interested in speaking with the Bright Spots Ventures team to brainstorm how we can help you grow your business via content and relationships, email hkrish@brightspotsventures.com About Bright Spots Ventures: Bright Spots Ventures is a healthcare strategy and engagement company that creates content, communities, and connections to accelerate innovation. We help healthcare leaders discover what's working, and how to scale it. By bringing together health plan, hospital, and solution leaders, we facilitate the exchange of ideas that lead to measurable impact. Through our podcast, executive councils, private events, and go-to-market strategy work, we surface and amplify the "bright spots" in healthcare—proven innovations others can learn from and replicate. At our core, we exist to create trusted relationships that make real progress possible. Visit our website at www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com. Visit our website:  www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com. Follow Bright Spots in Healthcare: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shared-purpose-connect/

In this episode, Steve Tringale, President of Mass General Brigham Health Plan, shares how the organization is expanding its product portfolio, entering the dual eligible market, and investing in integrated digital care management to better support members across all stages of life.

Pop quiz: If your health insurance premiums keep climbing, should you just go catastrophic and pocket the savings? Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and CFP Anna Allem tackle that exact question, along with a handful of other money decisions that keep Stackers up at night. From navigating healthcare coverage gaps to figuring out when (and how) to withdraw from a 529, this Monday mailbag episode is packed with the practical advice you need, served with the basement humor you've come to expect. The health insurance conversation gets real: what catastrophic plans actually cover (spoiler: less than you think), how to plan for the gaps, and whether gambling on your health is ever a smart financial move. Then Anna breaks down the 529 withdrawal strategy that saves you headaches at tax time, and the crew tackles a listener who's spooked by market volatility and wondering if it's time to bail. But it wouldn't be Monday without some chaos—Joe's cat decided to add drama to the morning, Doug brings trivia about counterfeit currency (because of course), and the gang updates you on the charity challenge where Stackers can support financial literacy and maybe win some prizes in the process. Plus: OG delivers movie reviews to help you figure out what's actually worth your streaming time this week. What You'll Walk Away With: • The truth about catastrophic health plans—when they make sense and when they'll leave you exposed • How to handle healthcare coverage gaps without gambling your financial future • The smart way to withdraw from a 529 so you don't accidentally trigger taxes or penalties • Why market volatility isn't a reason to panic—and what to do instead of bailing on your portfolio • How diversification and rebalancing keep you sane when the headlines get scary • A reminder that financial planning (like cat wrangling) rarely goes exactly as planned This Episode Is For You If: • You're staring at rising health insurance premiums and wondering if there's a better way • You've got a 529 but aren't sure how to actually use it without screwing up • Market dips make you nervous and you want to know if you should be doing something • You're tired of generic financial advice and want real answers to your specific questions • You believe learning about money should involve at least a few laughs (and maybe some cat stories) Got a Question for the Basement? Drop it in the comments or send it our way—you might just hear Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and Anna tackle it in an upcoming mailbag episode. And if you want to support financial literacy while competing for prizes, check out the charity challenge details in the show. Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Democrats may be on the brink of the losing the government shutdown battle, but are Republicans going to be the ones paying for soaring healthcare costs?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Ty Higgins catches up with Trevor Kirkpatrick of the Ohio Farm Bureau to discuss the launch of the new Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans, now open for enrollment, offering more affordable health coverage options for Ohio's farm families and small businesses. Dusty Sonnenberg talks with Julia Brown of the Ohio Soybean Council about the inaugural Ohio Soy Immersion Experience, a new program designed to give farmers an inside look at how the soybean checkoff works to grow demand and build value. Dale Minyo wraps things up with a visit to Wilmington College to learn about the school's new Agriscience Complex and how the facility will expand hands-on learning opportunities for the next generation of agricultural leaders with Dr. Chad McKay.

In this episode, we sit down with Steve Wolin, CEO of Gravie, to explore how innovation is transforming health benefits for small and mid-sized businesses. Gravie believes members deserve a health plan that thinks beyond tradition—one that meets whole health needs with more care options and greater affordability.

In this Bright Spots in Healthcare episode, host Eric Glazer sits down with three leaders reshaping one of healthcare's most overlooked — yet mission-critical — functions: provider credentialing. Credentialing is the quiet infrastructure of trust in healthcare. When it's done right, patients get timely access to high-quality care, providers get paid faster, and health plans stay compliant. When it fails, backlogs grow, compliance risk skyrockets, provider satisfaction plummets, and member access suffers. Joining Eric for this discussion: Sandra Clarke, Former CFO & COO, Blue Shield of California Brett Dooies, Head of Product, Verifiable Janan Dave, VP of Operations, Verifiable Together, they explore how AI and automation are transforming credentialing from a slow, manual compliance task into a strategic capability that improves efficiency, trust, and network readiness. In this episode, you'll learn: Why credentialing sits at the intersection of compliance, provider experience, and member access How legacy processes, staffing limits, and messy data create hidden risk, and why backlogs can grow like quicksand Practical ways health plans are applying AI to reduce verification time, speed onboarding, and triage high-risk cases Why the most successful plans treat credentialing as infrastructure, not paperwork Key metrics to track when modernizing credentialing, including turnaround time, backlog clearance, audit readiness, and provider experience What to automate first,  and why humans still play a critical oversight role Bright Spots include: 97% automated verification in seconds across millions of records monthly New staffing and automation models that increase speed without compromising compliance Real-world examples where AI prevented risk exposure and accelerated network growth Leadership lessons in adopting AI responsibly and avoiding the "lift-and-shift" trap   This conversation offers payer leaders a real-world playbook to modernize credentialing and strengthen the foundation of your healthcare organization. Panelist Bios: Sandra Clarke is a healthcare executive and board advisor with over 25 years of experience leading finance, operations, and large-scale transformation across payer, provider, and life sciences organizations. As former CFO and COO of Blue Shield of California, she oversaw $25B in annual revenue and spearheaded initiatives delivering $700M in annualized savings while reimagining the company's pharmacy care model. Clarke has also held senior leadership roles at Daiichi Sankyo and Philips Healthcare and serves on multiple healthcare boards. She holds degrees from MIT, Bentley University, and Seton Hall University School of Law. Janan Dave is the VP of Operations at Verifiable, a start-up offering software and services solutions for healthcare organizations to ease the challenges surrounding provider network management. Janan has a background in public health and health policy, and has spent the last decade helping scale operations at various healthcare startups. She is passionate about building smart solutions to reduce waste in the healthcare system, and promote better care especially for the aging population, family caregivers, and women. Janan studied public health at the University of Pennsylvania, and lives in Brooklyn, NY. Brett Dooies is the Head of Product at Verifiable, where he leads the development of AI-powered solutions to simplify healthcare credentialing and monitoring. With a decade of experience building enterprise software, he specializes in applying advanced AI and analytics to enhance the customer experience and deliver transformative solutions. Drawing on his background in modernizing banking software, Brett is dedicated to creating products that drive operational excellence, uphold regulatory compliance, and improve data accuracy for Verifiable's partners, helping them scale with confidence in a complex ecosystem. Resources: MIT Sloan "Internet of AI Agents: State of AI in Business 2025" report finds that although over 80 % of organizations have piloted generative AI tools, only around 5 % have achieved meaningful business transformation—a gap dubbed the "GenAI Divide". It highlights that the primary barrier isn't model technology or regulation, but rather the failure of AI systems to integrate deeply into workflows, learn from feedback, and scale beyond the pilot stage. https://mlq.ai/media/quarterly_decks/v0.1_State_of_AI_in_Business_2025_Report.pdf Thank you to our Episode Partner, Verifiable: Verifiable is a credentialing and network monitoring platform built to help healthcare organizations optimize operations with error-free, fast verifications and to stay compliant with ease. Backed by their in-house NCQA certified credentialing team that bring a combined 60+ years of experience, Verifiable's innovation supports managing trusted networks at scale through 97% verification automation in seconds with millions processing each month. Verifiable works with leading healthcare organizations such as Humana Dental, Zelis, Talkspace, Headway, Empower Pharmacy, and many others.   Learn more about them at https://verifiable.com/ Want to go deeper or schedule a briefing with Verifiable? Email hkrish@brightspotsventures.com and we'll coordinate time with the Verifiable team to discuss how their approach can help your plan reduce costs, accelerate onboarding, and strengthen network integrity. About Bright Spots Ventures: Bright Spots Ventures is a healthcare strategy and engagement company that creates content, communities, and connections to accelerate innovation.   We help healthcare leaders discover what's working, and how to scale it. By bringing together health plan, hospital, and solution leaders, we facilitate the exchange of ideas that lead to measurable impact. Through our podcast, executive councils, private events, and go-to-market strategy work, we surface and amplify the "bright spots" in healthcare, proven innovations others can learn from and replicate. At our core, we exist to create trusted relationships that make real progress possible. Visit our website at www.brightspotsinhealthcare.com.  

This episode features Dr. Richard Celko, Chief Dental Officer at UPMC Health Plan who discusses challenges with access to dental care in rural areas, strategies for addressing community needs, and insights on current events shaping the dental industry.

This episode features Richard Greene, President of Clever Care Health Plan, discussing how the organization is growing through a unique model that combines Eastern and Western medicine, invests in culturally tailored community centers, and builds sustainable relationships with providers and members across California.

Proverbs 3:7-10

10.7.2025 #RolandMartinUnifltered: Day 7 Shutdown Chaos, Schumer’s Health Plan, Trump Threatens Pay, Bondi Hearing Fire, Kyren Lacy CaseIt's day seven of the government shutdown. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer lays out the Democrats' plan to hold the line for American healthcare.The twice-impeached, criminally convicted felon-in-chief, Donald "The Con" Trump, is saying furloughed federal workers aren't guaranteed back pay, and airports are seeing major delays. California Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove will join us to talk about all of this. Today, in a heated hearing on Capitol Hill, Attorney General Pam Bondi testified regarding the Department of Justice. We'll show you some of the exchanges she had with Illinois Senator Dick Durbin.The Louisiana NAACP is calling for accountability in the Kyren Lacy case. State police have released body camera footage that may explain why Kyren was blamed for the fatal crash.We'll speak with another candidate who wants to be the next mayor of New Orleans. In our Shop Black Star Network Marketplace segment, we will feature fashionable scrubs specifically for healthcare professionals.#BlackStarNetwork partner: Fanbasehttps://www.startengine.com/offering/fanbaseThis Reg A+ offering is made available through StartEngine Primary, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment. You should read the Offering Circular (https://bit.ly/3VDPKjD) and Risks (https://bit.ly/3ZQzHl0) related to this offering before investing.Download the Black Star Network app at http://www.blackstarnetwork.com! We're on iOS, AppleTV, Android, AndroidTV, Roku, FireTV, XBox and SamsungTV.The #BlackStarNetwork is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.