

Impact Healthcare Podcast
Lester J. Morales
Health benefits, one of the top 3 organizational expenses, become increasingly more costly each year with no end in sight. Health insurance disruptor Lester J. Morales interviews cutting-edge industry leaders implementing innovative strategies to lower healthcare costs by more than 20% while improving care quality for employees and their families. Need to see it to believe it? Subscribe to Impact Healthcare now!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 19, 2025 • 50min
The Power of Direct Primary Care: Redefining Employee Healthcare with Dr. Eric Crall
On this episode of Impact Healthcare, Lester Morales dives deep into the revolutionary model of Direct Primary Care (DPC) with Dr. Eric Crall, a pioneer in transforming primary care. From the challenges of traditional healthcare to the incredible impact of DPC on employers, employees, and the
healthcare system, this episode is packed with actionable insights.
Key Takeaways:
What is DPC? A subscription-based healthcare model that eliminates insurance reimbursement and focuses on patient care.
The Employer Advantage: Learn how businesses like car dealerships and restaurants have reduced healthcare costs by up to 25% while improving employee satisfaction.
Why Employees Love It: No more waiting rooms, rushed visits, or financial barriers—DPC provides personalized care with unlimited access to doctors.
Lifestyle Medicine at the Core: Dr. Kroll explains how addressing root causes like stress, sleep, and nutrition prevents chronic diseases and improves overall well-being.
How DPC Scales: Whether your employees are spread across states or constantly on the go, discover how DPC ensures seamless, high-quality care.
Real-Life Impact:
Dr. Crall shares success stories, including a car dealership that saw substantial cost savings while offering better benefits. Employees gained access to care without out-of-pocket expenses, creating a healthier and more engaged workforce.
Who Should Watch?
This Episode?
Employers looking to cut healthcare costs and attract/retain top talent.
Advisors seeking innovative ways to optimize health plans.
Employees curious about how DPC can revolutionize their healthcare experience.
What You’ll Learn:
The pitfalls of traditional fee-for-service models.
Why DPC is the future of primary care.
How employers can implement this model to benefit everyone involved.
Take Action Now: If you're ready to explore DPC for your
organization or want to connect with Dr. Aaron Kroll, visit
Subscribe for More: Stay ahead of the curve with the latest strategies to disrupt the health benefits industry. Hit like, share, and subscribe to Impact Healthcare today!

Feb 5, 2025 • 14min
Tearing & Steering: The Future of Healthcare Cost Management with Josh Butler
In this episode of Impact Healthcare, host Lester Morales welcomes Josh Butler, President of Butler Benefits and Consulting and High Plains Health Plan, to discuss the game-changing Texas House Bill 711—the "Tier and Steer Bill."
This new legislation allows self-funded employers to customize health plans and incentivize employees to choose high-quality, lower-cost providers through financial benefits like $0 deductibles and co-pays.
Josh shares how High Plains Health Plan has pioneered this approach, proving that transparent, direct contracting reduces costs while improving care quality.
What is HB 711? Texas is leading the way by legally recognizing tiered healthcare models that reward smarter healthcare choices.
How "Tier and Steer" Works: Employees pay less (or nothing) when they choose high-quality, cost-effective providers in Tier 1 networks.
The Big Insurance Companies’ Role: Why traditional carriers don’t fully adopt these models—premium equals revenue.
Direct Contracting Advantage: How negotiating with hospitals directly results in better deals, without hidden network fees.
Employer Action Steps: Start with a risk assessment, analyze your claims data, and shift to cost-effective healthcare solutions.
Bottom Line: If you’re still managing healthcare benefits the old way, you’re missing out on significant savings and better employee outcomes.
Subscribe now for actionable strategies that lower costs and impact healthcare for the better!

Jan 22, 2025 • 51min
Captive Insurance Demystified: Control, Ownership, and Real Savings with Phillip Holowka
In this episode of Impact Healthcare, host Lester Morales sits down with Phillip Holowka, COO of Complete Captive Management Services, to dive deep into the world of captive insurance. Together, they explore how captives empower employers to take control of their healthcare expenses, build equity, and improve employee benefits.
Phillip shares his journey from EMS to the insurance industry, offering insights into why captives are a game-changer for businesses of all sizes. Whether you're a seasoned CFO or new to the concept, this episode provides a clear roadmap to understanding captives and their potential for revolutionizing your healthcare
strategy.
Key Takeaways:
Captive Insurance 101: Understand the difference between group captives, single-parent captives, and traditional insurance models.
Control and Ownership: Learn why owning a captive puts you in charge of your healthcare dollars and policy language.
Risk Mitigation: Discover the importance of identifying and addressing high-cost claims to drive long-term savings.
Real-World Examples: Hear how employers, big and small, have leveraged captives to generate underwriting profits and reduce expenses.
Employee Impact: Learn how captives can align incentives, improve transparency, and enhance employee satisfaction.
Actionable
Insights: Captive insurance is more than a financial strateg it’s a commitment to proactive risk management and long-term savings.
Connect
with Phillip Holowka: Visit completecaptive.com or connect with him on LinkedIn to explore if a captive is the right solution for your organization.
Subscribe now and join the movement to disrupt the health
benefits industry with innovative strategies and actionable insights!

Oct 9, 2024 • 48min
Transforming Healthcare Costs: Innovative Strategies with Jessica Brooks Woods
🔥 New Episode Alert! 🔥 In this episode of Impact Healthcare, Lester J. Morales sits down with the incredible Jessica Brooks Woods, CEO of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals. 🏥 Jessica shares her wealth of experience in the healthcare benefits industry, discussing the cutting-edge strategies that are helping employers lower healthcare costs by over 20% while boosting care quality for employees and their families. 💡
🎧 Key Takeaways:
Why healthcare costs are skyrocketing 📊
The role of employer-led healthcare coalitions 🛠️
How you can transform healthcare purchasing for better results 💪
🚀 If you're an employer or in the healthcare industry, this episode is a MUST LISTEN! Discover how Jessica's leadership is driving innovation and changing the game for healthcare benefits. 🎯
👉 Don’t forget to subscribe to Impact Healthcare and stay up-to-date with the latest insights on cutting healthcare costs and improving employee wellness! 💥
#HealthcareCostReduction #EmployeeBenefits #HealthcareInnovation #JessicaBrooksWoods #ImpactHealthcarePodcast #LesterMorales

Sep 18, 2024 • 37min
Changing Healthcare from the Ground Up: How Direct Contracting and Data Transparency Are Revolutionizing Benefits | Featuring Daniel McCauley
Daniel McCauley, founder of Mac Consulting Group, shares his journey from aerospace engineering to revolutionizing healthcare benefits. He reveals how direct contracting can slash costs while enhancing care quality. Daniel also discusses the flaws in traditional deductible models and shares a poignant personal story motivating his mission. The conversation highlights frustrations with the current system and how straightforward data and innovative solutions can empower employers, employees, and providers alike to challenge the status quo.

Sep 11, 2024 • 46min
Revolutionizing Healthcare Benefits with Data Transparency and Fiduciary Responsibility Featuring Hugh O'Toole
In this episode of Impact Healthcare, Lester Morales sits down with Hugh O'Toole, CEO of Innovu, to discuss how data analytics and transparency are reshaping the healthcare benefits industry. Together, they dive into practical strategies that can help employers, advisors, and fiduciaries make smarter decisions, reduce costs, and improve healthcare outcomes.
Hugh shares his journey into the benefits space, from managing school consortiums to optimizing healthcare costs through data-driven solutions. He explains how transparency and fiduciary responsibility empower businesses to lower healthcare expenses without sacrificing quality. Learn how small changes, like J-code analysis, can save millions and improve the lives of employees and their families.
Key Takeaways:
The importance of owning and utilizing healthcare data
How fiduciary duty can protect employers and improve employee benefits
Real-life examples of cost savings in healthcare and pharma
Don't miss out on this insightful conversation that provides actionable steps to reduce your healthcare spend by 20% through total transparency.
Subscribe to Impact Healthcare on iTunes, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.

Aug 21, 2024 • 39min
Rewriting the Rules of Private Equity with Patrick Staunton
Welcome to the Impact Healthcare Podcast, where we're revolutionizing the health benefits industry with innovative ideas and game-changing strategies! In our latest episode, host Lester J. Morales has an inspiring conversation with Patrick Staunton, a partner in the Employee Benefits Group at Thompson Flanagan. Patrick's journey from starting his career at Cigna to becoming an influential figure at Thompson Flanagan is a testament to his passion for transforming the way private equity firms approach insurance!
During their conversation, Patrick takes us through the pivotal moments that shaped this transformation, including his personal experience of stepping into the world of private equity and the challenges he faced along the way.
Patrick shares the story of a company on the brink of a 60% insurance premium increase—an unsustainable burden for the business. Through innovative strategies, including the use of an independent third-party administrator and a transparent PBM, Patrick and his team were able to save the company nearly $1M. The story doesn't end there, as we explore the crucial role of communication and education in ensuring the success of these alternative plans, especially for blue-collar employees!
Join us as Patrick and Lester break down the complex world of private equity insurance, revealing how Thompson Flanagan’s hands-on approach not only provides value but also empowers employees to take control of their healthcare!
This episode is packed with insights, real-life examples, and a deep dive into the strategies that make a difference in the lives of employees and the bottom lines of businesses so whether you're in the healthcare industry or simply curious about the intersection of private equity and employee benefits, subscribe to the Impact Healthcare Podcast and don’t miss this transformative episode!

Aug 14, 2024 • 27min
Advisors: Leading the Charge for Change with: Lester J Morales
In this insightful solo episode, Lester Morales addresses
the necessity for change within the health benefits industry, specifically targeting advisors. Drawing from his rich background in risk management and insurance, Lester recounts his journey from Sun Life to Willis, highlighting key lessons learned.
This episode challenges advisors to step out of their
comfort zones and rethink their approach to healthcare benefits. Lester emphasizes the importance of empathy, accountability, and innovation, urging advisors to prioritize the well-being of employees and drive meaningful change.
Key Takeaways:
The negative impact of maintaining the status quo in healthbenefits.
How empathy can enhance decision-making in healthcare
strategies.
Understanding the financial realities of healthcare costs
for employees.
The importance of exploring and implementing innovative
solutions.
Real-world examples of successful health benefits
strategies.
Subscribe to "Impact Healthcare" on iTunes or your
preferred podcast platform to stay updated on the latest episodes. Join us in our mission to achieve significant savings and better health benefits through transparency and innovation.

Aug 7, 2024 • 24min
Embracing Change in Health Benefits with Lester J. Morales
In this solo episode, Lester Morales tackles the theme of
change within the health benefits landscape. Lester addresses common misconceptions and excuses that employers and advisors face, emphasizing the critical need for innovation and adaptability.
By understanding the real impact of healthcare costs on both organizations and employees, Lester highlights the importance of empathy and proactive decision-making. This episode is divided into two parts: one focused
on employers and the other on advisors, offering tailored insights and strategies for each audience.
Lester also shares compelling statistics and personal
anecdotes to illustrate the dire need for change in the industry. Tune in to discover how you can drive meaningful change and make a lasting impact on your
organization and its employees.
Key Takeaways:
The significance of health benefits in employee recruitment and retention.
Common barriers to change and how to overcome them.
The financial and emotional impact of healthcare costs on
employees.
Strategies for making informed and empathetic decisions
regarding health benefits.
The role of transparency and innovation in the health
benefits industry.
Subscribe to "Impact Healthcare" on your favorite
podcast platform to stay updated on the latest episodes and join us on the journey on your healthcare benefits through total transparency. For more information and resources, visit our website and explore our show notes for each episode.
Be part of the change and help disrupt the health benefits
industry for a better, more transparent future.

Jul 24, 2024 • 47min
From Hotels to Healthcare: Rosen's Game-Changing Journey with Ashley Bacot and Kenneth Aldridge Jr.
Welcome to Impact Healthcare, where we're all about shaking up the health benefits industry with our fresh ideas and game-changing strategies! In this episode, our host, Lester J. Morales, has a super exciting chat with Ashley Bacot, President at RosenSure, and Kenneth Aldridge Jr., Director of Health Services at Rosen Medical Center.
Rosen Hotels, based in Orlando, FL, might not be a household name everywhere, but did you know it's the largest independent hotel chain in the Southeast? Pretty cool, right? On top of that, as they celebrate their 50th anniversary, Rosen Hotels goes beyond just hospitality – they're all about providing top-notch healthcare at a reasonable cost. Kenneth Aldridge, Director of Health Services at Rosen Medical, tells us about their amazing journey. Over 30 years ago, Rosen took a massive leap by pioneering self-funded healthcare to provide high-quality care directly to employees. They've come a long way since then, offering on-site services like physical therapy and even mobile dermatology and vision clinics, all tailored to meet their diverse workforce's needs.
Ashley and Kenneth want to make it clear: Rosen's approach isn't just about saving money – it's about boosting benefits in a major way. With zero deductibles and co-insurance, Rosen has achieved some seriously impressive results. They've slashed costs by a whopping 50% compared to traditional plans, all while making sure their employees are healthier and happier. Beyond the numbers, the impact is personal. Kenneth shares a really touching story about how early detection through Rosen's programs saved an employee's life, showing how their approach to healthcare goes way beyond just numbers.
Join us as we dive into how Rosen Hotels and RosenSure are changing the game in healthcare, proving that when care is proactive and personalized, everybody wins! Whether you're new to self-funding or looking to revamp your current strategy, this episode is jam-packed with valuable insights to help you navigate the ins and outs of healthcare benefits and get the most out of self-funding.
Don't miss out – be sure to subscribe to the Impact Healthcare Podcast and join us as we explore this innovative approach and take your healthcare strategy to the next level!