Relentless Health Value Encore! EP450: When Your Health Plan Is $9 Million in the Hole, Who Are You Going to Call? A CPA. And Tell Them to Bring Their Spreadsheets, With Marilyn Bartlett, CPA, CMA, CFM, CGMA
Dec 18, 2025
Join Marilyn Bartlett, an accomplished CPA and healthcare plan administrator, as she shares her journey in transforming Montana's state employee health plan. She reveals how she identified financial red flags and turned a $9 million deficit into a $112 million surplus by cutting wasteful vendors and implementing innovative pricing strategies. Marilyn discusses the importance of transparency, reference-based pricing, and building strong stakeholder alliances to achieve lasting healthcare reforms. Her inspiring insights prove that change is not only possible but necessary.
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From $9M Deficit To $112M Surplus
- Marilyn Bartlett took Montana's state employee health plan from $9 million in the hole to $112 million in the black within about three years.
- She improved member benefits while reclaiming funds that had been flowing to middlemen and vendors.
Start With A Clear Why And Data
- Start by creating a clear why and quantify the problem with spreadsheets and data.
- Hit a few big, high-impact problems fast to generate quick wins and momentum.
Cut Redundant Vendors Quickly
- Eliminate redundant or unused vendor services immediately after contract review.
- Marilyn cut four wellness programs and saved $5.5 million while coordinating transitions with members.