Episode 59 - Laurel Pickering, CEO of the St. Louis Area Business Health Coalition

Welcome back to the Digital Health Heavyweights Podcast for Episode 59! Today, Norm Volsky interviews Laurel Pickering, CEO of the St. Louis Area Business Health Coalition. Laurel shares her journey from a background in anthropology to becoming a leader in healthcare transformation. She discusses the evolution of healthcare benefits, the challenges and successes of building coalitions, and the importance of employer leverage in influencing the healthcare system. Laurel also highlights the need for integration of digital health solutions and the role of policy advocacy in improving healthcare access and quality. She concludes with personal insights on wellness and healthy living.

 Takeaways

🪶 Laurel Pickering transitioned from archaeology to healthcare through medical anthropology.
🏢 Employers have significant leverage to influence healthcare systems.
💰 The healthcare benefits landscape has shifted back towards first-dollar coverage.
🤝 Coalitions can drive change by getting health plans to collaborate.
😓 Point solution fatigue is a growing concern among employers.
💼 Employers are increasingly focused on the employee experience in healthcare.
🏥 Direct contracting between employers and health systems is on the rise.
❓ The ROI claims made by vendors are often met with skepticism by employers.
💪 Wellness strategies, including exercise, are crucial for managing stress.
🍣 Simple, healthy recipes like air-fried salmon can promote better eating habits.

 Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:15 The Role of Employers in Driving Change

07:33 The Evolution of Healthcare Benefits

12:01 Bringing Together Stakeholders

19:03 Understanding the Target Audience in Healthcare Marketing

22:21 Buying Differently: Driving Transformation in the Market

26:15 Driving Healthcare Transformation: Leadership Buy-In and Consultant Support

32:38 The Vision for the St. Louis Area Business Health Coalition

38:32 Policy Advocacy and Impacting Legislation

41:41 Employer Priorities: Cost, Employee Experience, and Health Improvement

44:33 Employer Expectations and Building Trust with Vendors

46:34 The Future of Healthcare: Integration of Point Solutions and Direct Contracting

48:25 Reducing Stress and Healthy Recipes: Salmon in the Air Fryer

52:12 Outro

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