Self-Funded With Spencer

If you'd like your question answered on next month's episode, call/text 469-213-6381 and leave us a voicemail/text.Welcome to our new monthly podcast series, Last Month In Healthcare! Each month, producer Nathaniel joins me to discuss the previous month's podcasts, headlines, and listener-submitted questions. This episode covers healthcare news from February 2025, including:- the start of the Make America Healthy Again commission- executive orders to make healthcare prices more transparent - beef tallow fries at Steak 'n Shake- telehealth advertising and GLP-1 statistics - the FTC lawsuit against huge PBMs- American's wariness about AI in healthcare- allowing AI to prescribe medicine- a bipartisan bill to allow HSA dollars to be used for direct primary careChapters: 0:00 - Intro1:09 - The Self-Funded Review8:40 - Healthcare Headlines30:40 - Ask Spencer AnythingSources: https://www.yahoo.com/news/america-healthy-again-timeline-maha-093054800.htmlhttps://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/establishing-the-presidents-make-america-healthy-again-commission/https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/02/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-announces-actions-to-make-healthcare-prices-transparent/https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/this-bill-could-make-it-legal-ai-prescribe-medicine-2025a1000504?utm_campaign=feed&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=later-linkinbio&form=fpfhttps://www.benefitspro.com/2025/02/28/want-glp-1-coverage-workers-willing-to-switch-jobs-for-access/https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/telehealth-ads-marketing-birth-control-mental-health-obesity/https://healthexec.com/topics/healthcare-management/legal-news/federal-judge-sides-ftc-case-against-pbms-move-forwardhttps://thenationaldesk.com/top-videos/facing-burnout-us-doctors-see-hope-in-ai-for-better-patient-care-artificial-intelligence-athenahealth-survey-staffing-shortages-reimbursement-electronic-health-records-billinghttps://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/study-reveals-majority-of-us-adults-distrust-health-care-system-s-use-of-aihttps://crenshaw.house.gov/2025/2/crenshaw-co-leads-bipartisan-legislation-expanding-direct-primary-care-access

"I think that's the difference with a contagious community. Like, I want to bring other people that I like into this community." - Scott SmithScott Smith, President of True Network Advisors, joins the show for a third time for this podcast filmed at his boathouse in Guntersville, Alabama. Scott and I talked about contagious communities, which Scott defines as a community that people want to share with other people in their life. We also talked about Scott’s list of paradoxes, why he calls his wife “Miss Hot Dog”, creating genuine relationships in life and business, and why authentic expression is so important to both of us. This is the longest podcast we’ve ever released, but also one of the most engaging, and Scott is always a fascinating person to talk to. Tune in this week to Self-Funded with Spencer to learn about what it takes to create a contagious community!Chapters:00:00:00 How to Build a Contagious Community | with Scott Smith00:12:19 What’s in a name?00:16:36 Scott’s definition of a “contagious community”00:24:46 Organic growing an engaging community00:36:27 Cultivating positive community experiences00:40:09 Building a culture of kindness 00:46:33 Creating genuine relationships in business and life00:57:48 Should we worry about our own legacies?01:06:29 Dealing with the negativity that comes with building anything01:16:37 Why authentic expression is so important 01:23:10 The burden of choice Key Links for Social:@SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFundedListen on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/Key Words: Contagious Community, Contagious Communities, Creating Communities, Community Building, Relationship Building, Legacy, Free Speech, Paradox Of Choice, Positive Communities, podcast, healthcare, health insurance, self funded, self funding, self funded health insurance, self funded insurance#ContagiousCommunity #ContagiousCommunities #CreatingCommunities #CommunityBuilding #RelationshipBuilding #Legacy #FreeSpeech #ParadoxOfChoice #PositiveCommunities #podcast #healthcare #healthinsurance #selffunded #selffunding #selffundedhealthinsurance #selffundedinsurance

"Reversing obesity, reversing diabetes is possible. You don't just have to manage a chronic condition." - Steve HastingsSteve Hastings, Leader of Health Plans at Virta Health, joined me to share Virta’s strategy to help members reverse type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and obesity. He also shared their findings on just how important food is to our overall health and the power it has as medicine.If you’ve listened to pretty much any episode of Self-Funded with Spencer, you’ve heard my thoughts on the importance of healthy nutrition and eating, and how so many of America’s chronic health problems are due to what we eat. Steve shared how they put together effective plans that actually work to help people lose weight, and keep it off, without using GLP-1s or other drugs. And, if a member needs GLP-1s, they work to create a strategy to make sure the drug is effective and they can maintain that weight loss.Join us on Self-Funded this week to learn how it’s possible to reverse diabetes and obesity!Chapters:00:00:00 Meet Steve Hastings00:02:53 Food As Medicine00:07:47 Membership-based Primary Care 00:15:29 Nutrition-Based Reversal of Diabetes and Obesity00:17:35 America’s Obesity Health Crisis00:20:03 Long-term Health Goal Support00:27:42 Tailored Nutrition Plans To Reverse Diabetes00:35:55 Mental Health Improvement From Weight Loss00:49:00 Optimizing Health Outcomes Through FoodKey Links for Social:@SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFundedListen on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/Key Words: Nutrition, Primary Care, Reversing Diabetes, Reversing Obesity, Diabetes, Obesity, Obesity In America, Behavior Change, Individualized Nutrition, GLP1s, GLPs, Ozempic, semiglutides, Food As Medicine, Wellness, podcast, healthcare, health insurance, self funded, self funding, self funded health insurance, self funded insurance#Nutrition #PrimaryCare #ReversingDiabetes #ReversingObesity #Diabetes #Obesity #ObesityInAmerica #BehaviorChange #IndividualizedNutrition #GLP1s #GLPs #Ozempic #semiglutides #FoodAsMedicine  #Wellness #podcast #healthcare #healthinsurance #selffunded #selffunding #selffundedhealthinsurance #selffundedinsurance

"If you're not going to be excited when I'm calling you, we're probably not a mutual fit." - Maggie QuinnMaggi Quinn, SVP of Consulting at Intrepid Benefits, joined me to discuss working at an all-female insurance agency, why specialization is so important in today’s market, and some innovative approaches to self-funded healthcare.Maggi shares her journey into insurance, as well as how she found her way to Intrepid, and why the relationship side of the business is the most important to her. We also discuss what makes Intrepid so different, and how that’s won (and lost) them business over the years. Tune in this week to Self-Funded with Spencer to learn why I gave Maggi the name “Maggi Quinn, Benefits Woman”.Chapters:00:00:00 Meet Maggi Quinn00:11:18 Maggi’s Journey To Intrepid00:22:11 Enhancing Employer Healthcare00:26:09 Customized, Personal Solutions For Employers00:31:06 Mutual Fit in Client Relationships00:37:11 Enhancing Client Understanding in Healthcare Communication00:39:18 Personalized Medication Management through DNA Sequencing00:42:39 Enhancing Well-being Through Health Education00:55:14 Innovative Approaches To Employer-sponsored HealthcareKey Links for Social:@SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFundedListen on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/Key Words: Healthcare Solutions, Wellness, Personalized Medication, Client Relationships, Innovative Healthcare, Self Funded Employers, Specialized Healthcare, Future Of Healthcare, Cost Effective Healthcare, podcast, healthcare, health insurance, self funded, self funding, self funded health insurance, self funded insurance#HealthcareSolutions #Wellness #PersonalizedMedication #ClientRelationships #InnovativeHealthcare #SelfFundedEmployers #SpecializedHealthcare #FutureOfHealthcare #CostEffectiveHealthcare #podcast #healthcare #healthinsurance #selffunded #selffunding #selffundedhealthinsurance #selffundedinsurance

"Be kind, be focused on others, be a steward of your craft and take the opportunity to take action.” - Sean WoodSean Wood, SVP of National Partnerships at ParetoHealth, joined me for a podcast that is far less about captives than it is about being a sales ninja. We talk about getting started in sales, the buyer as a skeptic, collaborative selling, and sales mentorship.Sean was actually a pro basketball player, and he shares how his point guard experience has translated to his career. He shares what led him into sales and why he embraced it so quickly, and why Pareto felt like a natural fit when he joined. Whether you’re just getting started in sales or you’re a sales veteran, I promise you’ll learn something from this week’s episode of Self-Funded with Spencer.Chapters:00:00:00 Meet Sean Wood00:04:16 Elevating Your Team As A Leader00:11:04 Transitioning From Pro Basketball To Sales00:20:04 Trust-Based Team Selling 00:24:11 Long-term Relationship Building In Sales00:31:30 The Importance Of Sales Mentorship00:53:09 Healthcare Solutions Driven By The Market00:59:57 The Future Of Healthcare ConsultingKey Links for Social:@SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFundedListen on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/Key Words: Transition To Sales, Collaborative Selling, Team Sales, Mentorship, Relationship Building, Sales Process, Healthcare Solutions, Buyer Mentality, Sales Success, podcast, healthcare, health insurance, self funded, self funding, self funded health insurance, self funded insurance#TransitionToSales #CollaborativeSelling #TeamSales #Mentorship #RelationshipBuilding #SalesProcess #HealthcareSolutions #BuyerMentality #SalesSuccess #podcast #healthcare #healthinsurance #selffunded #selffunding #selffundedhealthinsurance #selffundedinsurance

“Whatever your clients find attractive about you and the reason they want to work with you is the exact same reason that a buyer is going to find you attractive and want to acquire your agency.”- Shelby CowleyShelby Cowley joined me this week to discuss the complicated world of insurance mergers & acquisitions. How do you get the best valuation for your agency? What key metrics are most attractive to buyers? How much does personality impact the value?We answer all of those questions and more on this week’s episode of Self-Funded.Chapters:00:00:00 Meet Shelby Cowley00:08:51 Empowering Entrepreneurs through Unique Insurance M&A00:11:42 Valuation Impact on Agency Acquisition Success00:15:46 High Demand Driving Top-Tier Valuations in Acquisitions00:19:29 Strategic Evaluation for Successful Business Acquisitions00:22:18 Long-term Partnership Potential in Buyer Selection00:28:45 Performance-Based Growth In Business Sale Agreements00:37:57 Leveraging Private Equity for Growth and Acquisitions00:42:15 Maximizing Acquisition Value Through Seller's Representation00:45:18 Value-Driven Consulting in Client RelationshipsKey Links for Social:@SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFundedListen on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/Key Words: Insurance Mergers, Mergers And Acquisitions, Business Sales, Sales, Business Acquisition, Market Dynamics, Transactions, Private Equity Deals, PE, Private Equity, Buyer Selection, Earn Out Period, Seller Representation, Consultant, Insurance Industry, Broker, Representative, Valuations, Growth Strategies, Transaction Goals, Employee Benefits, fixing healthcare, podcast, benefits, health, healthcare, health insurance, self funded, self funding#InsuranceMergers #MergersAndAcquisitions #BusinessSales #Sales #BusinessAcquisition #MarketDynamics #Transactions #PrivateEquityDeals #PE #PrivateEquity #BuyerSelection #EarnOutPeriod #SellerRepresentation #Consultant #InsuranceIndustry #Broker #Representative #Valuations #GrowthStrategies #TransactionGoals #EmployeeBenefits #fixinghealthcare #podcast #benefits #health #healthcare #healthinsurance #selffunded #selffunding

“Organ transplant is not something that the employer or even the TPAs are necessarily all experts in." - Guy Finley“There are still going to be some situations and some events inside that episode of care that are going to be stop-loss related, so we want the two to work together.” - Robby KerrGuy Finley and Robby Kerr from HCC joined me in studio for this week’s episode of Self-Funded to discuss covering organ transplants. The costs associated with and frequency of these procedures have greatly increased in recent years, and Guy and Robby share HCC’s strategy to separately insure transplants.Before jumping into the world of organ transplants, we talked about Guy and Robby’s backgrounds and how they made their way to HCC, as well as each of their roles currently. I was interested to learn why organ transplants became such a passion project for Guy, and how covering them is similar to other high-cost expenditures like specialty drugs. Join us this week to get an education on organ transplant policy and the best way to cover them in today’s market!Chapters:00:00:00 Meet Guy Finley and Robby Kerr00:07:52 Organ Transplant Insurance00:13:05 Rising Costs of Transplant Procedures 00:17:31 Comprehensive Coverage for Potential Transplants00:21:56 Transplant Coverage Financial Assessment00:27:11 Transplant Nurse Advisors00:33:24 Transplant Policy Evaluation and Underwriting Process00:37:26 Rising Liver Transplant Numbers 00:47:42 Innovative Risk Mitigation in Gene Therapy00:50:17 Rising Rates of Organ Transplants Nationwide00:59:41 Empowering Consumers Through Healthcare Price TransparencyKey Links for Social:@SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFundedListen on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/Key Words: insurance industry, organ transplant, transplants, transplant, transplant insurance, healthcare costs, risk mitigation, transplant coverage, care coordination, stop loss, price transparency, financial planning, Employee Benefits, fixing healthcare, podcast, benefits, health, healthcare, health insurance, self funded, self funding#insuranceindustry #organtransplant #transplants #transplant #transplantinsurance #healthcarecosts #riskmitigation #transplantcoverage #carecoordination #stoploss #pricetransparency #financialplanning #EmployeeBenefits #fixinghealthcare #podcast #benefits #health #healthcare #healthinsurance #selffunded #selffunding

“It's everything. Exposure, knowledge, education, generating new business, solving clients, risk management objectives. It's all here." - John Capasso“And the question comes up year over year, what is the ROI of SIIA? Did we have a legitimate hard dollar return on investment? And the answer is yes, we've always seen a return.” - Amy Gasbarro This week’s episode of Self-Funded was recorded at the SIIA National Conference in September 2024. I spoke on-stage with Amy Gasbarro and John Capasso about their work at SIIA, what SIIA’s legislative efforts have looked like in recent years, and some practical networking tips for anybody attending a SIIA event. Along the way, we also dive into the history of SIIA, what’s made it so relevant for so long, and what the real ROI is for both the attendees and the sponsors. At the end of the podcast, we have a Q&A with the audience.  Thank you to SIIA for sponsoring this special edition of the podcast!  Chapters: 00:00:00 Self-Funded At SIIA 00:07:44 Amy and John’s Work At SIIA 00:11:09 SIIA’s Legislative Efforts 00:18:29 Practical Tips For Insurance Conference Networking 00:27:26 AI Discussions At SIIA 00:36:50 Collaborative Networking At SIIA 00:41:10 The Real ROI Of SIIA Sponsorship 00:45:40 The Educational Opportunities At SIIA 00:50:09 Q&A Key Links for Social: @SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFunded Listen on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02 Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286 Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/ Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/ Key Words:  SIIA, Insurance Conference, Advocacy, Networking, SIIA Conference, Self Insurance, Sponsorship, Event Planning, Industry Education, Legislation, ROI, Self Insurance Community, Employee Benefits, podcast, benefits, health, healthcare, health insurance, self funded, self funding #SIIA #InsuranceConference #Advocacy #Networking #SIIAConference #SelfInsurance #Sponsorship #EventPlanning #IndustryEducation #Legislation #ROI #SelfInsuranceCommunity #EmployeeBenefits #podcast #benefits #health #healthcare #healthinsurance #selffunded #selffunding

"If we're not accessible to you, we can't help you." - David KinzlerDavid Kinzler, CEO of One-to-One Health, joined me this week to talk about the importance of primary care, restoring the doctor-patient relationship, and TextCare, which provides text messaging access to a dedicated care team with response times under 5 minutes.David is a former Marine, and spent a few years in US politics before joining the healthcare world, and eventually leading One-to-One. His key focus is simplifying healthcare, meeting patients where they’re at, and re-centering the healthcare experience around the primary care doctor. We’re failing patients in the current system, and David and I discuss the potential solutions.Chapters:00:00:00 Meet David Kinzler00:08:12 Healthcare Cost Management00:20:19 Enhancing Primary Care 00:27:09 Significance of Relationship-Based Primary Care00:29:48 Primary Care Leads To Better Outcomes00:32:34 The Power Of Texting With Patients00:46:29 Making Healthcare More Accessible00:59:32 Mental Healthcare Access01:09:57 Employers Influencing The Future Of Healthcare Key Links for Social:@SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFundedListen on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/Key Words: Primary Care, family doctor, Primary Care Access, Healthcare Innovation, Employer Sponsored Plans, Patient Engagement, Text Care, Healthcare Transformation, Mental Health, Primary Care Relationships, employer healthcare, Accessible Healthcare,  Fiduciary Services, Employer Driven Change, healthcare access, employer healthcare, Employee Benefits, fixing healthcare, podcast, benefits, health, healthcare, health insurance, self funded, self funding#PrimaryCare #familydoctor #PrimaryCareAccess #HealthcareInnovation #EmployerSponsoredPlans #PatientEngagement #TextCare #HealthcareTransformation #MentalHealth #PrimaryCareRelationships #employerhealthcare #AccessibleHealthcare #FiduciaryServices #EmployerDrivenChange #healthcareaccess #EmployeeBenefits #fixinghealthcare #podcast #benefits #health #healthcare #healthinsurance #selffunded #selffunding

 "The problem with a lot of healthcare is everybody is coming in, making their own solution. So you have thousands of point solution vendors and all we're doing is confusing the end user and the people that we really want to be educated." - Chelsea RyckisOne of the most influential duos in healthcare, Chelsea and Donovan Ryckis, joined me this week to discuss their company Ethos Benefits, running a benefits agency based on values, and producing the documentary “It’s Not Personal, It’s Just Healthcare.”Along the way, we get into each of their origins in insurance, how they met each other, and what it’s like to run an insurance agency with your spouse. Chelsea and Donovan also share why they’re so passionate about promoting transparency and accountability in this space. Chapters:00:00:00 Meet Chelsea & Donovan Ryckis00:11:20 Getting Started In Health Insurance Consulting00:18:08 Client-First Financial Advising00:29:47 Building A Business Based On Values00:35:32 Enhancing Client Value Through Self-Funding00:37:33 Performance-Based Compensation 00:41:06 Value-Based Employee Retention00:53:15 Compensation Transparency00:59:08 Producing A Healthcare Documentary01:07:49 Promoting Accountability in HealthcareKey Links for Social:@SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFundedListen on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/Key Words: Insurance Consulting, Fiduciary, Ethos, documentary, producing, filmmaking, movie, film, Client Retention, Employee Retention, Compensation Structure, Compensation, Transparency, Employee Benefits, fixing healthcare, podcast benefits, health, healthcare, health insurance, self funded, self funding#InsuranceConsulting #Fiduciary #Ethos #documentary #producing #filmmaking #movie #film #ClientRetention #CompensationStructure #EmployeeRetention #Compensation #Transparency #EmployeeBenefits #fixinghealthcare #podcast #benefits #health #healthcare #healthinsurance #selffunded #selffunding