Self-Funded With Spencer

Chris Hamilton, an employee benefits expert at Hotchkiss Insurance, dives deep into health optimization and employee wellness. He shares his journey from college athlete to fitness advocate, emphasizing how fitness impacts workplace performance. Chris introduces Continuous Glucose Monitoring, explaining its benefits and how he tracks data to enhance his health. He discusses the challenges employers face in incentivizing employee wellness and practical strategies for creating a culture of health in organizations. Expect insights on personalized medicine, daily routines, and the economics of wellness programs.

“We need to solve for all of that, so that it's more rewarding, more enjoyable, because that's where the cost savings will come in. That's where the innovation will come." - Ben Callaghan Ben Callaghan, Chief Experience Officer at Empara, joined me this week to discuss how design can actually play a huge role in fixing many of the problems in our industry.  Before working at Empara, Ben actually attempted to launch a ski design company, and we discussed how that experience designing physical products still informs his design philosophy.  Ben focuses on the experiences that patients have utilizing healthcare, which is famously frustrating and complicated. Even if you have the best point solution in the world, it’s not going to be effective if nobody uses it, so it’s pivotal that the way that employees use healthcare is designed thoughtfully.  Even if you don’t know anything about design, I’d encourage you to check out this episode to learn how design impacts literally everything we do in modern America.  Chapters: 00:00:00 Meet Ben Callaghan 00:04:26 From Design Entrepreneur to Healthcare Innovator 00:09:31 Driving Innovation Through Healthcare Industry Collaborations 00:26:09 Digital ID Cards for Enhanced Member Engagement 00:33:38 Tailored Solutions for Buyer Engagement 00:44:58 Enhancing Healthcare Experiences with AI 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:  #HealthcareTransformation #TechnologyInHealthcare #InnovativeHealthcare #PatientExperience #DigitalHealthSolutions #HospitalAssistance #MemberEngagement #CustomizedHealthcare #FutureOfHealthTech #UserExperienceDesign #HealthcareIndustryInsights #ConsumerDrivenHealthcare #selffunded #podcast Healthcare Transformation, Technology In Healthcare, Innovative Healthcare, Patient Experience, Digital Health Solutions, Hospital Assistance, Member Engagement, Customized Healthcare, Future Of Health Tech, User Experience Design, Healthcare Industry Insights, Consumer Driven Healthcare, self funded, podcast

"If you do hard things now, your life will be easy in the future. If you do easy things now, your life will be hard in the future." - Nick Bellanca Nick Bellanca joined me this week to get his perspective on something we don’t get a lot of on the show: selling as a consultant.  Nick and I talked about his upbringing, how he got onto the football team at the University of San Diego, and starting out working at a carrier (which he says is a great place for people to start in this industry). Nick actually found himself working at a genetic testing startup for a number of years before transitioning into a sales role at MMA. I was interested to hear his outside perspective on selling as a consultant in the current insurance industry and what it takes to stay disciplined, as a human and as a salesman.  Whether you’re just starting out in sales, you’ve had a long career selling, or you don’t have anything to do with it, you’ll enjoy getting to hear Nick’s perspective on what it takes to make it in the current industry. Chapters: 00:00:00 Meet Nick Bellanca / Running Marathons 00:07:44 Majoring In Accounting, Stumbling Into Sales 00:15:11 The World of Genetic Testing Benefits 00:17:49 The Challenge And Opportunity Of Changing Roles 00:22:01 Growth Mindset / Effective Communication In Sales 00:41:13 Wellness Programs / Wearables 00:52:41 Do The Hard Things Now 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:  #CareerChoices #FinancialMotivation #SalesInsights #Adaptability #GeneticTesting #HealthcareInnovation #CareerTransition #PersonalGrowth #WorkLifeBalance #YouthfulMindset #EmployerWellness #SuccessPathway #selffunded #podcast Career Choices, Financial Motivation, Sales Insights, Adaptability, Genetic Testing, Healthcare Innovation, Career Transition, Personal Growth, Work Life Balance, Youthful Mindset, Employer Wellness, Success Pathway, self funded, podcast

"When your brain is programmed that the only way it can be done is through submitting your insurance and when your brain has been for years and years and years that accepting cash is criminal, it's very hard to break that." - Dr. K My good friend Dr. K, founder of the NTTC Surgery Center and Hinkapin Health, joined the show to shed further light on what upfront pricing and value-based healthcare can do for this industry, employers, and patients.  Dr. K came to America from India, and we discussed what it was like to encounter our health insurance for the first time was like as a physician. We discussed what lead him to choose Texas for his surgery center, why a surgery center is better and more cost effective than a hospital for surgery, and how he was able to determine pricing for his cash-based practice.  Since founding NTTC Surgery Center near Dallas, Dr. K has stayed ambitious and is aiming to expand this model nationwide through Hinkapin Health.  When practices publicly display prices and are able to compete with other practices to win business, everybody benefits; it’s a fundamental benefit of capitalism, and I’m always glad to be able to highlight practices like Dr. K’s.  Chapters: 00:00:00 Meet Dr. K 00:06:56 An Outside Perspective On US Health Insurance 00:15:25 Lowering Costs Through Bundled Procedures 00:20:11 Building Out Upfront Surgical Costs 00:22:14 The Importance Of Transparency In Bundled Procedures 00:27:30 Infection Rates Are The Key Indicator Of Quality 00:53:46 Why We Need Value-Based Healthcare 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:  #healthcareinnovation #bundledsurgery #transparentcare #ambulatorysurgery #costeffectivehealthcare #qualitycare #healthcarecosts #emerginghealthcare #patientcentric #affordablehealthcare #healthcaresolutions #healthcarefuture #selffunded #podcast healthcare innovation, bundled surgery, transparent care, ambulatory surgery, cost effective healthcare, quality care, healthcare costs, emerging healthcare, patient centric, affordable healthcare, healthcare solutions, healthcare future, self funded, podcast

Join Stephanie Koch, Director of HR at Hendry Marine Industries, as she shares her 25+ years of insights on transitioning from fully insured to self-funded healthcare. Discover how reference-based pricing saved her previous employer over a million dollars in the first year and learn about the lifesaving impact of onsite mobile clinics. Stephanie also discusses the importance of utilizing data to improve employee engagement and preventive care, urging employers to embrace innovative benefits that foster transparency and better health outcomes.

“I realized that 95% of the scheduled surgeries, like shoulder/knee repairs, back fusions, even some pelvic floor surgeries, they're no more effective than doing nothing at all, on average.” - Heidi Ojha Heidi Ojha, founder of Aware Health and recently a part of our MSK roundtable, joined me this week in studio to talk about why there are so many unnecessary surgeries performed in this country, why these surgeries happen in the first place, and how she’s trying to change that. Heidi’s worked as a clinician before founding Aware and estimates that about 95% of scheduled surgeries led to no more positive outcomes than doing nothing at all. This is especially alarming given that MSK is the biggest chronic spend on most health plans. Heidi and I also expanded on the notion that behavioral health plays a huge part in why and how so many surgeries are performed. Outside of the cost to the plan, unnecessary surgeries are often risky for the patient and can lead to complications, and even other surgeries that add even more risk. Join us this week to find out how we can stop unnecessary surgeries from happening. Chapters: 00:00:00 Meet Heidi Ojha 00:09:14 Exploring Non-Invasive Healthcare Options 00:15:33 MSK Chronic Spend 00:18:14 Managing Surgery Claims for Cost Savings 00:27:11 Incentivize Care, Not Profit 00:35:08 Claims Data Impact on Diagnostic Accuracy 00:41:13 The Necessity Of Imaging 00:50:14 Patient-Centered Approach To Healthcare 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: #MSKHealthcareCosts #ConservativeCare #BehavioralHealthExpenses #EmployerPlanSpend #FeeForServiceModel #DataAccessibility #DiagnosticAlgorithms #PatientEmpowerment #HealthcareSystemsOptimization #AvoidingSurgeries #ChronicHealthcareSpending #PatientCenteredCare #selffunded #podcast MSK Healthcare Costs, Conservative Care, Behavioral Health Expenses, Employer Plan Spend, Fee For Service Model, Data Accessibility, Diagnostic Algorithms, Patient Empowerment, Healthcare Systems Optimization, Avoiding Surgeries, Chronic Healthcare Spending, Patient Centered Care, self funded, podcast

“In what other industry are you just not covered up with business if you're cheaper and better? This is America, for God's sake." - Keith Smith This is a special episode with a special guest: Dr. Keith Smith from the Surgery Center of Oklahoma. Keith realized in the 1990s that the surgery system in America was exploitative and unfair, and decided to “rebel”, setting up a “parallel market” to sell surgeries direct to consumer at a listed price without any middlemen.   The idea of a consumer knowing the price ahead of purchasing a service (and not being charged afterward!) seems fundamental and obvious in every industry in our country, but it’s a completely revolutionary way of doing business in the healthcare industry. I talked with Keith about what made him realize that there had to be a better way of doing business, what it was like to be such a trailblazer, and why publicly posting his prices on his website was such a big deal.  If you want to hear an amazing conversation with a doctor who’s made real change in curbing price gouging in our industry, tune in this week on Self-Funded with Spencer with Dr. Keith Smith.  Chapters: 00:00:00 Meet Dr. Keith Smith 00:00:20 Spencer’s Son’s ER Trip 00:05:53 Transparent Surgical Bundle Pricing 00:22:17 Setting Surgical Prices Over The Phone 00:24:30 Allowing The Market To Drive Prices 00:40:21 Empowering Consumers By Posting Prices Online 00:42:30 Incentivizing Informed Healthcare Choices 00:53:03 Teaching Consultants On This Model 01:06:34 The Return To Free Market Healthcare 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:  #DirectPricingModel #HealthcareTransparency #BundledSurgicalProcedures #PackagedPricing #SelfFundedEmployers #ZeroDeductible #ConsultantsInHealthcare #FreeMarketHealthcare #HealthcareCostSavings #TransparentHealthcare #BetterHealthcareChoices #ConsumerCentricHealthcare #selffunded #podcast Direct Pricing Model, Healthcare Transparency, Bundled Surgical Procedures, Packaged Pricing, Self Funded Employers, Zero Deductible, Consultants In Healthcare, Free Market Healthcare, Healthcare Cost Savings, Transparent Healthcare, Better Healthcare Choices, Consumer Centric Healthcare, self funded, podcast

Consultant John Butler discusses the future of health insurance industry, emphasizing innovative solutions like AI sales tools, ICHRA plans, and Health Sharing Plans. He also talks about shifting from 'sickcare' to a health-focused healthcare system, highlighting the importance of making Americans healthier. The podcast delves into real-time reimbursements, regenerative medicine, and cost-effective employer solutions in healthcare.

"I don't believe that random doctors should treat random patients in ongoing continuity of care. I don't think that transactional care is good for patients, and I know it's not good for physicians." - Chris Mathew The great Chris Mathew, Chief Growth Officer at Sniffle, joined me to talk about the future of Telehealth and the amazingly cost-effective ($15 a month!) benefits plan that Sniffle offers.  Chris comes from an entrepreneurial family background, which pushed him to work at various startups over the years. Chris and I talked about why it was so important for him to be part of a startup even when he didn’t immediately see success, and how that drive led him to where he is today.  Chris is really passionate about making the experience of healthcare better for both patients and physicians, and Sniffle’s “Aignosis”, an AI diagnosis tool, plays a big role in making doctor’s visits more effective and personal.  Join us this week for a conversation on making doctor’s and patient’s lives better, and learning just how Sniffle can offer so many amazing benefits for just fifteen dollars a month.  Chapters: 00:00:00 Meet Chris Mathew 00:08:09 Entrepreneurial Success Through Resilience and Perseverance 00:14:20 Student Debt Impact on Physicians 00:18:42 Real-time Savings with Sniffle Rx Platform 00:30:05 Seamless Virtual Consultation Experience with Sniffle 00:36:03 Personalized Diet Plans Using AI Technology 00:45:36 Virtual Healthcare Network for Behavioral Wellness 00:57:07 The Future of Sniffle 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 #HealthcareChallenges #AIHealthcare #TelehealthInnovation #VirtualCare #AIIntegration #PrescriptionProcess #BehavioralHealth #EmployeeBenefits #ResilienceInBusiness #ContinuityOfCare #MentalHealthAwareness #selffunded #podcast Entrepreneurship, Healthcare Challenges, AI Healthcare, Telehealth Innovation, Virtual Care, AI Integration, Prescription Process, Behavioral Health, Employee Benefits, Resilience In Business, Continuity Of Care, Mental Health Awareness, self funded, podcast

Does bone-on-bone contact always lead to pain? What's the best way to get good, new solutions in the hands of brokers? How many MSK surgeries are really necessary? Chris Hamilton, Heidi Ojha, and Mark Testa joined me in studio to answer those questions and many more in this special bonus episode of Self-Funded with Spencer, The MSK Roundtable. 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/