Self-Funded With Spencer

"It's progress we couldn't have envisioned decades ago." - Oscar “I felt interested in being part of something bigger than my practice and something that will impact even more people that I was able to in the hospital.” - Carolina Dr. Oscar Bronsther and Dr. Carolina Escobar from Interlink joined me this week to discuss the exciting and scary world of cell and gene therapy, CRISPR, and how we fund these amazing medical advances.  In addition to me attempting to act smart enough to be in the same room as these two, we covered their wholistic approach to this emerging scientific field, which promises potential cures for rare and debilitating diseases, but often comes with 7-figure price tags. The rare genetic diseases are known as “orphan diseases”, and there have been some recent incredible advances in detecting them early on in life. We talked about what this all means for individuals as well as the insurance space as a whole, and how it has the potential to increase medical costs in this country even further.  Chapters: 00:00:00 Meet Oscar and Carolina 00:09:16 Genetic Therapy Solutions for Orphan Diseases 00:14:39 Detecting and Targeting Single Gene Mutations 00:26:52 CRISPR Technology 00:30:08 Equitable Access To Gene/Cell Therapy 00:37:21 How Do We Finance This? 00:46:13 The Ethical Concerns Of Cell/Gene Therapy 00:59:45 Economic Implications of This Technology 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:  Rare Diseases, Gene Therapy, CRISPR technology, CRISPR, Healthcare Skepticism, Healthcare Warranties, Medical Revolution, Healthcare Advances, Orphan Diseases, Cell Therapy, Healthcare Innovation, self funded, podcast #RareDiseases #GeneTherapy #CRISPRtechnology #CRISPR #HealthcareSkepticism #HealthcareWarranties #MedicalRevolution #HealthcareAdvances #OrphanDiseases #CellTherapy #HealthcareInnovation #selffunded #podcast

"If my child needs a gene therapy to live, they should get it and anyone's child should. So let's figure out how to pay for it." - Jake Frenz On the final of four podcasts filmed at a recent healthcare thinktank I hosted in Frisco, Texas, Jake Frenz, the founder and CEO of SmithRx, joined me to share his journey from the Marine Corps to Pharmacy Benefit Management, and what makes him so passionate about ending prescription drug price gouging.  Jake and I discussed what some of the core challenges are in the PBM space, why he was so inspired by Mark Cuban’s venture Cost Plus Drugs, and what the “watershed” moment in US healthcare will look like.  I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to talk to one of the best minds in the PBM space, and I hope you enjoy this week’s episode of Self-Funded with Spencer. Chapters: 00:00:00 Meet Jake Frenz 00:08:06 Consumer-Driven Healthcare 00:15:53 Transparency in the PBM Industry 00:20:57 The “Watershed Moment” in US Healthcare 00:36:14 Mark Cuban's Innovative Healthcare Venture 00:39:34 Subscription-Based Models Disrupting Pharmacy Competition 00:52:34 Revolutionizing Healthcare 00:55:14 Empowering Americans to Drive Healthcare Reform 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:  Healthcare Insights, Pharmacy Benefit Managersm, Simplify Healthcare, Watershed Moment, Cost Plus, cost plus drugs,  mark cuban, Big Picture Healthcare, American Spirit, Healthcare Innovation, Affordable Medications, price gouging, self funded, podcast #HealthcareInsights #PharmacyBenefitManagers #SimplifyHealthcare #WatershedMoment #CostPlus #costplusdrugs #markcuban #BigPictureHealthcare #AmericanSpirit #HealthcareInnovation #AffordableMedications #pricegouging #selffunded #podcast

Dan Cochran, CEO of Cochran Health Ventures, sheds light on the often-overlooked complexities of healthcare. He discusses the importance of in-home healthcare options and personalized services for patients. The conversation delves into the dynamic between payers and providers, emphasizing the need for consumer education. Cochran advocates for transparency, innovative solutions for managing healthcare costs, and empowering individuals to make informed decisions. His insights challenge listeners to rethink their approach to navigating healthcare.

"There can be a better path forward. We don't have to remain adherent to the system that is built against us. It's just going to take some rolling up of the sleeves and a commitment to it." - Shawn Sanford This week, another ParetoHealth colleague joins the show: Shawn Sanford, RVP of Sales and Pod Leader. Shawn and I discussed his transition from pro baseball to ancillary benefit sales to Pareto, and what he learned from each step along the way.  We also discuss some of the biggest problems in this industry and why they excite Shawn so much, and what he sees as the single biggest case of “highway robbery” in healthcare.  Join us this week on Self-Funded as we discuss the opportunity we have to fix healthcare.  Chapters: 00:00:00 Meet Shawn Sanford 00:14:02 An Unexpected Career Transition Into Insurance 00:22:43 The Importance Of Networking In Sales 00:25:48 Building Trust With Brokers 00:31:39 Transition to ParetoHealth 00:42:25 Having The Right Sales Process 00:51:49 Equity and Transparency in Healthcare 00:55:54 Aligning Incentives Properly  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:  Sales Success, Career Transition, Relationship Building, Healthcare Reforms, Insurance Industry, Education Matters, Sales Process, Healthcare Awareness, Healthcare Challenges, Healthcare Transformation, Sales Networking, Career Advancement, self funded, podcast #SalesSuccess #CareerTransition #RelationshipBuilding #HealthcareReforms #InsuranceIndustry #EducationMatters #SalesProcess #HealthcareAwareness #HealthcareChallenges #HealthcareTransformation #SalesNetworking #CareerAdvancement #selffunded #podcast

“There's a reason why every insurance carrier likely owns or is owned by a pharmacy benefit management company, that’s one of the ways that they can drive revenue." - Kristen Rivers My guest this week, Kristen Rivers from ParetoHealth, is one of the strongest healthcare advocates I know.  This week on Self-Funded, Kristen and I discuss her upbringing, how that affects the work she does today, what caused her to leave a position at the biggest insurance company in the world, and why she believes in the work she’s doing at ParetoHealth today. Along the way, we talk about some of the biggest problems in healthcare, from the user experience to misaligned incentives that profit from driving up the cost of healthcare.  The main takeaway: we need more advocates like Kristen if we’re going to fix this industry. Chapters: 00:00:00 Introducing Kristen Rivers 00:08:16 Kristen’s Introduction To Health Insurance 00:16:10 The Importance of Data Transparency and Choice 00:19:50 Advocating For Better Healthcare 00:33:23 Renewal Increases in California Insurance Market 00:35:18 Medicare Cuts 00:41:18 Employer-led Healthcare Plans 00:51:06 Misaligned Incentives 00:53:26 Driving Down Healthcare Costs through Employer Advocacy 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:  Healthcare Industry Transition, Transparency Matters, Navigating Healthcare, California Insurance Market, Medicare Cuts, Self Funded Plans Healthcare Quality Metrics Industry Complexities, Employer Advocacy, CAA Regulations, Healthcare System, Cost Management, self funded, podcast #HealthcareIndustryTransition #TransparencyMatters #NavigatingHealthcare #CaliforniaInsuranceMarket #MedicareCuts #SelfFundedPlans #HealthcareQualityMetrics #IndustryComplexities #EmployerAdvocacy #CAARegulations #HealthcareSystem #CostManagement #selffunded #podcast

Luke Aslesen, founder of INFRMD, joined me a few weeks ago for the podcast, and we also filmed this extended interview after, in which Luke asks me about my comedy background, upbringing, relationship with my wife, and more.  If you’re a long-time listener of the podcast and want to get to know me a bit better, or you just stumbled onto the podcast and want to know who I am, this is a great place to start!  Chapters: 00:00:00 Luke/Spencer Q+A 00:00:35 When/how did you think of bringing your entertainment background into insurance? 00:01:35 What’s the biggest thing you’ve taken from stand-up in the work you do today? 00:02:37 How did your upbringing affect the work that you do now? 00:03:36 How do you not burn out with all the work you do? 00:05:03 How do you balance doing both creative and logical work? 00:06:33 How do you keep yourself accountable? 00:08:57 Have you already seen the rewards of the work you’re putting in, or is that down the road? 00:10:57 What does “justice” mean in the work that you do? 00:12:31 How do you keep the hope alive? 00:13:54 What do you do to keep yourself motivated? 00:15:20 Where do you find the time to do all of those things? 00:16:41 Where did Tom Broker come from? 00:18:21 Favorite comic of all time? 00:19:57 What has the response been to using comedy? 00:22:03 Does using comedy open doors for you? 00:24:29 Why don’t more people build personal brands? 00:26:30 Where did your love for people come from? 00:27:42 If you could have a 4-hour dinner with anybody, who would it be and why? 00:28:46 How has your relationship with your wife shaped your success? 00:35:53 When you’re retired, how do you want to be remembered? 00:36:44 Tell us about your car. 00:39:08 Favorite comedy movie and series? 00:41:05 Favorite drama movie and series? 00:42:41 If you could have one message on a billboard that everyone could see, what would it be? 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:  #QA #spencersmith #infrmd #insurance #entertainment #standup #creativity #justice #accountability #comedy #celsius #joerogan #mustangs #selffunded #selffunding #podcast QA, spencer smith, infrmd, insurance, entertainment, standup, creativity, justice, accountability, comedy, celsius joe rogan, mustangs self funded, self funding, podcast

“PBM is one of the most complicated concepts out there and it's incredibly difficult to understand. But it's not because the system itself is complicated. It's because pbms make it complicated.” - Justin Jasniewski Justin Jasniewski, CEO of Serve You Rx, joined me this week to discuss the state of the pharmacy benefit management (PBM) market in 2024.  We discussed the competitive landscape in the PBM industry, why that’s (slowly) leading to more actual transparency, and how Serve You Rx fits into that market.  Justin and I also discussed GLP-1s, how they’re going to continue to be a problem for the industry to solve for, and what they say about the effectiveness of wellness initiatives. Chapters: 00:00:00 Introducing Justin Jasniewski 00:03:01 The PBM Market in 2024 00:06:28 Tailoring PBM Solutions 00:17:59 How Do GLP-1s Affect The PBM Industry? 00:26:37 Real Transparency In PBMs 00:32:39 The Importance Of Customer Service For PBMs 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:  PBM Landscape, PBM Flexibility, Self Insurance Simplified, GLP1s, Future Of PBMs, Service Quality PBM, Client Satisfaction, Regulatory Changes, Transparent Pricing, Rebate Handling, Emerging Solutions, self funded, podcast #PBMLandscape #PBMFlexibility #SelfInsuranceSimplified #GLP1s #FutureOfPBMs #ServiceQualityPBM #ClientSatisfaction #RegulatoryChanges #TransparentPricing #RebateHandling #EmergingSolutions #selffunded #podcast

“You know, Africa has no peanut allergies.” - Dr. Marty Makary I was honored to be joined this week by Dr. Marty Makary to promote his new book “Blind Spots”, which published this week and is currently a national bestseller.  To purchase “Blind Spots”, use this link: https://geni.us/blindspots Dr. Marty Makary is a surgeon, researcher, and author, as well as an advocate for better approaches to public health. He’s known for challenging medical dogma and asking the questions nobody else will. In our conversation, we talked about his new book, why these misguided public health recommendations get broadcast in the first place, and why it’s so important to have better health conversations in this country. One of the bigger topics that we covered was the peanut allergy epidemic, and why Marty Makary believes that recommendations based on opinion instead of data caused so many more kids to get peanut allergies than they would otherwise. Chapters: 00:00:00 Introducing Dr. Marty Makary 00:08:13 Misguided Public Medical Recommendations 00:14:49 Challenging Established Health Norms 00:24:46 Why The Low-Fat Diet Was Misinformation 00:36:45 Why Are We Doing So Many C-Sections? 00:41:46 Unnecessary Medical Care 00:47:56 Questioning Medical Dogma 00:50:11 Influential Figures Shaping Health Conversations 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:  Blind Spots, Medical Dogma, Evidence Based Medicine, Public Health, Nutrition Misinformation, C-Section Consequences, Healthcare Challenges, Health Awareness, Public Health Figures, Critical Thinking, Health Discourse, Quality Healthcare, self funded, podcast, peanut allergies, peanut allergy, peanut allergy epidemic, marty makary, dr marty makary, pediatricions, public health recommendations #BlindSpots #MedicalDogma #EvidenceBasedMedicine #PublicHealth #NutritionMisinformation #CSectionConsequences #HealthcareChallenges #HealthAwareness #PublicHealthFigures #CriticalThinking #HealthDiscourse #QualityHealthcare #selffunded #podcast

“So many times these employers are like, ‘dude, I spend so much money on this, and my employees don't care at all.’ Or what's even worse is they go, ‘our employees love it, we have a great, great plan.’ Did they tell you that?” - Luke Aslesen This is one of my favorite podcasts of the year: Luke Aslesen, Founder of INFRMD, joined me to talk about entrepreneurship, creativity in insurance, comedy, and how to stay authentic.  INFRMD is an insurance education platform, designed to make it as easy as possible for employees to understand and use their benefits. Luke and I discussed the importance of education, why this type of solution is so needed, and how he value it provides to employers.  This podcast is a bit longer than usual, but only because I think this conversation truly justified that. Join me and Luke this week on Self-Funded to learn how to stay creative and authentic in this industry!  Chapters: 00:00:00 Introducing Luke Aslesen 00:00:35 Timing and Persistence in Entrepreneurship 00:07:42 Embracing Imperfection 00:10:56 A Creative Approach to Insurance Education 00:21:29 How Do You Teach People To Navigate Healthcare? 00:32:09 The Importance Of Creativity 00:46:11 Humor In The Insurance Industry 00:49:12 Revolutionizing Insurance Literacy with INFRMD 01:05:06 Empowering Informed Decision-Making 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:  #Entrepreneurship #StartingBeforePerfect #InsuranceEngagement #GenerationalShift #ConsumerEmpowerment #InformingConsumer #CareerCreativity #InsuranceCommunity #HumorInCommunity #HealthcareLiteracy #selffunded #selffunding #podcast Entrepreneurship, Starting Before Perfect, Insurance Engagement, Generational Shift, Consumer Empowerment, Informing Consumer, Career Creativity, Insurance Community, Humor In Community, Healthcare Literacy, self funded, self funding, podcast

“If we're facing a [mental health] crisis and we want radical change, we’ve got to think about radical solutions. If those radical solutions can show objectively with safety and efficacy data, that they're really helping people and really changing lives, then I think we ought to at least explore and get curious about offering those solutions to to people.” - Amil PatelWe have a mental health crisis in America, and we need new solutions to help those who are struggling.Amil Patel, from Meeko Health, joined the show this week to talk about offering ketamine therapies through the employee benefits channel.I would suspect that many of you who listen to the podcast would be immediately skeptical about the effectiveness, safety, and utility of psychedelic therapy; honestly, going into the podcast, I was too.But I would urge you to hear Amil’s testimony, look into the research and studies currently going on, and form your own opinion. And as Amil shares, hear the testimony of the many people who feel like they would still be in a mental health crisis without these therapies. Join us this week on Self-Funded as we discuss why employers should consider offering psychedelic therapy as an employee benefit! Check out their website - https://www.meekohealth.com/Chapters:00:00:00 Introducing Amil Patel00:03:30 Struggling With Parental Judgment00:12:58 The Mental Health Impact of Childhood Experiences00:18:16 Psychedelic Therapy Access Through Meeko 00:33:37 How Can We Prove That Psychedelic Therapy Works?00:43:37 Do Employers Want To Offer Ketamine Therapy To Employees?01:01:08 The Transformational Effect Of Ketamine Therapy01:03:58 Getting To The Root Of Mental Health IssuesKey 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: #MentalHealth #PsychedelicTherapy #MentalHealthCare #KetamineTherapy #PsychologicalApproach #CulturalImpact #HealingJourney #PersonalGrowth #PsychedelicSupport #MeekoHealth #selffunded #selffunding #podcastMental Health, Psychedelic Therapy, Mental Health Care, Ketamine Therapy, Psychological Approach, Cultural Impact, Healing Journey, Personal Growth, Psychedelic Support, Meeko Health, self funded, self funding, podcast