Voices of Self Funding Episode 39 Merging for Independence: How TPAs Drive Innovation and Customer Experience
Sep 24, 2025
Join Jim Farley, a seasoned TPA owner with over 40 years in the industry, and Jeff Walter, a tech-savvy TPA executive from PBA, as they unveil their strategic merger. They discuss how this collaboration enhances customer experience while ensuring TPA independence against larger firms. Dive into their approach to streamlining operations with EOS practices, in-house IT, and innovative member solutions like Direct Primary Care and nurse navigators. Their insights reveal a dynamic shift in how TPAs can deliver superior services and maintain strong relationships.
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Choosing A Trusted Partner
- Jim Farley shared his 46-year journey running an independent TPA and seeking a successor after ownership changes.
- He chose PBA because of long-standing trust and cultural fit built over decades of Cubic group interaction.
PBA’s Recent Transformation
- Jeff Walter described buying into PBA and shifting to a new claims and management system around 2019.
- He recalled the rapid evolution during COVID that set the stage for merger talks with Jim in 2024.
Independence Over Acquisition
- Jim emphasized preserving JP Farley’s independent identity and innovation post-merger.
- He avoided selling to large firms to keep influence over customer and employee experience.