Becker’s Payer Issues Podcast

Becker's Healthcare
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Aug 5, 2025 • 19min

John Byrnes, Chief Operating Officer at Banner|Aetna

In this episode, John Byrnes, Chief Operating Officer at Banner|Aetna, discusses how the organization is advancing value-based care through integrated technology, strong payer-provider collaboration, and personalized member support. He highlights key strategies driving improved health outcomes and sustainable cost management in Arizona.
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Aug 4, 2025 • 23min

Leading the Nation’s First Lifestyle Medicine Program for Alzheimer’s at EmblemHealth

In this episode, Karen Ignagni, Executive Chair, and Dr. Dan Knecht, Chief Medical Officer at EmblemHealth, discuss the launch of the first health plan covered lifestyle medicine program for early-stage Alzheimer’s. They explore how evidence-based interventions, community support, and integrated care are reshaping brain health and advancing equity in underserved populations.
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Aug 1, 2025 • 19min

Jeff Yuan, Co-founder of Mending

In this episode, Jeff Yuan, Co-founder of Mending, discusses how his company is building an AI-native health insurer focused on reducing provider burden and improving patient access through direct primary care partnerships. He also shares insights on rebranding, early success in Maine and Oklahoma, and plans for thoughtful national expansion.
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Jul 31, 2025 • 12min

Advocating for Medicare Advantage with Dawn Maroney of Alignment Health Plan

In this episode, Dawn Maroney, President of Alignment Health and CEO of Alignment Health Plan, shares her experience testifying before Congress on the future of Medicare Advantage and highlights key policy changes needed to protect access, expand rural care, and ensure member choice in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
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Jul 30, 2025 • 29min

Navigating Medicaid Reform and Community Care with CalOptima CEO Michael Hunn

In this episode, Michael Hunn, CEO of CalOptima Health, joins Jakob Emerson to discuss how the organization is preparing for sweeping changes under the Federal Reconciliation Bill. He shares insights on preserving access to care, the importance of managed care partnerships, and how collaboration, communication, and innovation will be essential to maintaining Medicaid’s long-term sustainability.
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Jul 29, 2025 • 11min

Virtual Care Innovation and What’s Next with MD Live by Evernorth

This episode features Anthony J. Colistra, President of MD Live by Evernorth, discussing how virtual care has evolved, where consumer demand is headed, and how MD Live is using AI to personalize the patient experience, improve patient-provider communication, and streamline provider administrative tasks to give them more time to spend with patients.This episode is sponsored by Evernorth.
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Jul 28, 2025 • 18min

The Future of Non-Emergency Medical Transportation with Alan Murray, CEO of MediDrive

In this episode, Alan Murray, President and CEO of MediDrive, shares how innovative, tech-enabled approaches to non-emergency medical transportation are closing care gaps, reducing no-show rates, and supporting more coordinated, patient-centered care—while also improving administrative efficiency and helping to lower system-wide costs.This episode is sponsored by MediDrive.
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Jul 22, 2025 • 21min

Driving Innovation in Medicare Advantage with Dr. Joe Kimura of SCAN Health Plan

In this episode, Dr. Joe Kimura, Chief Medical Officer at SCAN Health Plan, discusses how SCAN is leading innovation in Medicare Advantage through personalized care, data analytics, and strategic partnerships. He also explores the critical role of technology and member engagement in improving outcomes for a growing senior population.
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Jul 21, 2025 • 12min

Amy Jordan, Vice President of Consumer Digital Engagement at UnitedHealthcare

This episode features Amy Jordan, Vice President of Consumer Digital Engagement at UnitedHealthcare, discussing the launch of Smart Choice, a data-driven provider search tool designed to simplify healthcare navigation. Amy shares how the platform uses personalization and quality metrics to improve member experience and how it fits into UnitedHealthcare’s broader digital transformation strategy.
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Jul 17, 2025 • 10min

Dr. Tom Allen, Executive Medical Director, Behavioral Health, Blue Cross and Blue Shield

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Dr. Tom Allen, Executive Medical Director, Behavioral Health, Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Dr. Allen shares how his team is advancing behavioral health outcomes through telehealth, data-driven insights, and deeper integration with primary care while addressing rising rates of mental health conditions with a focus on member experience and whole-person care.

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