Becker’s Payer Issues Podcast

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Kourtney Witten, Area Vice President Network Managing Partner Wisconsin, Advocate Health. Witten discusses how her organization is leveraging data, technology, and relationship-based care to reduce costs, close care gaps, and deliver high-quality, patient-centered outcomes across diverse populations.

In this episode, Becker's Healthcare speaks with Jim Blondin, Senior Director of Digital Product Strategy at Accredo Specialty Pharmacy, about the strategic benefits of integrating specialty pharmacy into EHR workflows. The discussion explores how this integration can reduce workflow friction, improve care coordination, and enhance both patient and provider experiences. Tune in for insights relevant to pharmacy leaders, CIOs, and healthcare executives navigating digital transformation.This episode is sponsored by Accredo Specialty Pharmacy.

In this episode, Joey Seliski of Allegheny Health Network and Pritee Subramany of Highmark Health discuss how consistent, accurate provider data is essential for improving care coordination, patient trust, and enabling AI-driven tools like virtual assistants and personalized provider recommendations.This episode is sponsored by Kyruus Health.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Dr. Brian Smolich, Vice President, Health Alliance Quality and Managed Care Operations, Carle Health. Dr. Smolich shares how his organization is balancing cost and quality, leveraging biosimilars, digital engagement tools, and provider collaboration to improve member outcomes and transform the care experience.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Brad Riley, Vice President, Analytics and Reporting, Longevity Health. Brad discusses how Longevity Health is leveraging predictive analytics, machine learning, and innovative provider partnerships to balance cost containment with high-quality care, while empowering staff with AI literacy for the future of managed care.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Paul Christopher Hiltz, President and CEO, NCH Healthcare System. Paul shares how a metrics-driven culture, strategic partnerships, and clinical excellence are guiding NCH’s efforts to improve care quality, reduce costs, and expand access through major initiatives like a new orthopedic hospital and heart institute.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Louis DeStefano, Senior Vice President of Growth at Oscar Health. He shares how Oscar is leveraging personalized plan designs, technology-driven engagement, and the growing potential of ICHRAs to improve affordability, satisfaction, and outcomes in the individual insurance market.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Dr. Alex Ding, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Humana. Dr. Ding shares how Humana is bridging its payer and provider roles to advance health equity, enable clinicians, and drive value-based care transformation at scale, all while putting whole-person care and patient experience at the center.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable, features Sufian Chowdhury, Chief Executive Officer of Kinetik. Sufian discusses how Kinetik is transforming non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) through real-time data, interoperability, and plan-owned infrastructure to improve compliance, reduce fraud, and enhance member experience.This episode is sponsored by Kinetik.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Lila Benayoun, Chief Operating Officer, MetroPlusHealth. She shares how the organization is combining predictive analytics, personalized outreach, and community-based services to proactively manage care, improve member satisfaction, and address social determinants of health across New York City.