The Benefits Playbook

This episode features an interview with Dr. Smita Das, Vice President of Psychiatry and Complex Care at Lyra Health. Smita is board certified in psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and addiction medicine and has over 20 years of research experience. Previously, she served as President of an American Psychiatric Association District Branch and chair of the APA's Council on Addiction Psychiatry. Smita is also a clinical associate professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford School of Medicine.In this episode, Sasha and Smita dive into Lyra Health’s Complex Care Program, how the conversation around sobriety is changing, and how addiction and mental health psychiatry differ and intertwine.-------“There's so many places where somebody can fall through the cracks, for one reason or another. It could be coverage. It could be that they couldn't find a facility or that there were too many options and they had analysis paralysis, or they went to a place that wasn't actually evidence-based or at the bar that we expect at Lyra. Then, they're actually worse off because now maybe they've paid out of pocket tens of thousands of dollars and they didn't actually get better.” – Dr. Smita Das-------Episode Timestamps:*(01:28): Smita’s career background *(05:25): Why point solution access is important *(09:15): Smita explains Lyra Complex Care*(23:50): How addiction and mental health psychiatry differ and intertwine*(29:15): Examples of employers who have accessible recovery programs*(33:12): Smita’s advice for employers looking into complex care-------Links:Connect with Dr. Das on LinkedInLearn more about Lyra HealthVisit Rethinking DrinkingVisit SAMHSAVisit AtlasVisit FindhelpVisit NAMIConnect with Sasha on LinkedInLearn more about Collective Health

This episode features an interview with Dr. Matt Resnick, Chief Medical Officer at Embold Health. He is a member of the founding executive team and led the development of measurement and analytic stacks. Today, he is responsible for growth and all go-to-market functions, leading a team in developing strategy and building products that align with market demands and deliver exceptional value.In this episode, Sasha sits down with Matt to discuss the importance of quality care measurement, how it can benefit both employees and employers, and how measurement tools change based on patient age.-------“All of us spend countless hours, minutes researching all of the relatively superfluous purchases we make, like on Amazon. Yet, when it comes to finding a doctor, we trust our neighbors. The reality is most of us like our doctors and most of us don't have enough knowledge to know whether what we did was the right or the wrong thing. Even people who have bad outcomes actually like their doctors. The reality is we know if you walk in door A or door B, your likelihood of winding up on an operating table in a year with back pain is tenfold different.” – Matt Resnick-------Episode Timestamps:*(01:15): Matt’s career background *(07:18): Why quality care measurement is important *(19:00): How Embold helps members find quality providers *(29:49): How quality care measurement helps employers *(34:04): How measurement tools change based on patient age-------Links:Connect with Matt on LinkedInLearn more about Embold HealthConnect with Sasha on LinkedInLearn more about Collective Health

This episode features an interview with Dan Hodges, Senior Vice President of Employee Benefits at Woodruff Sawyer, where he provides strategic consultation and counseling to clients on their employee benefits programs. Dan has over 25 years of experience consulting a large cross section of employers including those in healthcare, not-for-profit, high-tech, service, and hospitality. He is also an expert in self-funding, consumerism, and HSA style plans.In this episode, Sasha and Dan discuss transitioning to self-funded health plans, choosing a TPA versus an ASO, and the future of employer benefits.-------“You also have a lot more flexibility just on how you design your program. The different pieces that are baked into a fully insured program, how you can break those out, how you can go to specialty markets and get either better service or lower cost for that part of your program. How you can get better programs for your employees to take advantage of within a self-insured program. There's a lot of flexibility that you get, both in terms of service to the employer, service to the employee, and cost savings to the company.” – Dan Hodges-------Episode Timestamps:*(01:22): Dan’s career background *(06:33): Dan breaks down transitioning to self-funded health plans*(23:25): Choosing a TPA versus ASO*(26:00): Woodruff Sawyer’s unique offering*(34:32): The future of employer benefits*(36:52): Dan’s advice for people new to the industry-------Links:Connect with Dan on LinkedInLearn more about Woodruff SawyerConnect with Sasha on LinkedInLearn more about Collective Health

This episode features an interview with Jessica Lea, founder and CEO of Tria Health. Jessica is passionate about pharmacists providing patient-centered care to improve the health outcomes of patients. She has a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, maintains board certification in psychiatric pharmacy, and has an Executive Masters in Business from Rockhurst University. Jessica is a healthcare innovator and has been recognized as one of the PharmaVOICE100.In this episode, Sasha sits down with Jessica to discuss the revolutionary study of pharmacogenomics, the craze around weight loss drugs, and how Tria Health supports its members.-------“We're starting to get to a place where we have a better understanding of more medications that we know are affected by the way in which your body may metabolize or not metabolize the medicine, as it relates specifically to your DNA. The other thing is that not only have we gained more understanding of more medications, but we've also gotten to a place where it's a little more cost-effective in testing the right people who we believe would benefit from this.” – Jessica Lea-------Episode Timestamps:*(01:24): Jessica’s career background *(04:31): How Tria Health supports members*(14:51): Jessica dives into pharmacogenomics*(27:50): How pharmacy and medical interact *(32:07): Jessica’s thoughts on weight loss drugs*(41:32): Jessica’s advice for those starting their own businesses-------Links:Learn more about Tria HealthFollow Tria Health on LinkedInConnect with Jessica on LinkedInConnect with Sasha on LinkedInLearn more about Collective Health

This episode features an interview with Michael Caussin, former NFL tight end and New York Times bestselling author. Mike became a licensed health advisor in 2023 and helps individuals and families find the health coverage they need.In this episode, Sasha and Mike get back to the basics of healthcare. They discuss why healthcare education is so important, how to navigate life events, and what people don’t know about coverage options.-------“I want to be an asset to people in whatever I'm doing in my life. Let me teach everyone that's watching or following the simple basics of your day-to-day coverage. I've gotten much more positive feedback than I ever imagined of people commenting or messaging me on how helpful it's been. Which obviously for anyone, it's validating to get that reassurance that you're actually helping somebody.” – Michael Caussin-------Episode Timestamps:*(01:15): Mike’s career background *(07:27): How Mike uses his Instagram to educate people*(11:45): Mike’s advising process*(18:49): How Mike helps people navigate life events*(27:24): How Mike improves member experience*(32:48): Mike’s advice for those new to the industry-------Links:Follow Mike on InstagramConnect with Mike on LinkedInConnect with Sasha on LinkedInLearn more about Collective Health

Welcome to The Benefits Playbook podcast! We have a really exciting announcement: a new season is on its way!Last season, we had the privilege of sitting down with some of the best minds in employee healthcare including benefits leaders, brokers, and consultants. They shared expert advice on creating a winning benefits strategy. Everything from how to build an inclusive benefits program, to making the leap to self-funding, to delivering a great member experience. If you haven’t tuned in yet, catch season 1 wherever you listen to podcasts.Our second season is bringing some new voices into the mix, including Tria Health’s Jessica Lea, NFL player turned Licensed Health Advisor, Mike Caussin, and our very own CEO and Co-founder, Ali Diab. We’ll cover why understanding the basics of health benefits plans is important for members, we’ll dive deep into AI and how it’s influencing our industry, and we’ll explore revolutionary fields of medical and pharmacy study.Join us for season 2 of The Benefits Playbook, brought to you by Collective Health.-------Links:Connect with Sasha on LinkedInLearn more about Collective Health

This episode features an interview with Ben Greene. Ben is an international public speaker and LGBTQ+ inclusion consultant, as well as an author and an advocate for transgender youth. In 2019, he gave a successful TEDx Talk called “Where are you sitting?” and has since traveled the world speaking in different domains like HR conferences, DEI summits, and government agencies like NASA.In this episode, Sasha and Ben discuss inclusion consulting, what carriers get wrong about member experience, and the platinum standard of inclusive healthcare.-------“The biggest thing would be really making sure that gender affirming care is covered by your benefits plan. Gender affirming care looks like things like top surgery and bottom surgery, which is what they're called colloquially. That's what I would consider the silver standard of gender affirming care coverage. The gold standard would include things like facial feminization surgery. It might include something like voice therapy. Also, for LGBTQ folks overall, different fertility options. Looking at something like IVF. Care that includes inclusive family-building or adoption coverage, and working that in with your parental leave as well. If we want to talk about the new platinum standard, something else that I hate that I have to recommend, but that is becoming increasingly important to both LGBTQ people overall, as well as parents of transgender young people, is relocation coverage.” – Ben Greene-------Episode Timestamps:*(01:11): Ben’s background *(05:56): Ben explains his role as an inclusion consultant *(12:11): Do’s and don’ts of creating an inclusive workplace*(16:38): Must-have benefits*(22:25): What carriers get wrong about member experience *(27:21): Ben’s advice for those looking to become an advocate-------Links:Visit Ben’s websiteConnect with Ben on LinkedInFollow Ben on InstagramFollow Ben on TikTokPre-order Ben’s bookPFLAGHuman Rights CampaignGLSENGLMAConnect with Sasha on LinkedInLearn more about Collective Health

This episode features an interview with Emily Munroe, Global Head of Benefits and Wellness at Live Nation. Emily began her career in banking and finance before making a career change to HR. She began in HR serving growth-and-expansion stage biotech and pharmaceutical companies in Compensation and Benefits. She has also worked in global Benefits roles for a consulting firm, tech and retail, and now entertainment.In this episode, Sasha and Emily discuss must-have benefits, how to get buy-in from leaders, and creating braggable programs.-------“My tactic has been to start in the ERGs first. Get the voices that I think are impactful in the company, the ones that folks are listening to that aren't necessarily just leaders, but get them on board. Once I have them working with me to increase the awareness of really important impactful programs, I think it comes a little easier.” – Emily Munroe-------Episode Timestamps:*(01:20): Emily’s career journey*(04:17): What Benefits & Wellness looks like at Live Nation*(06:24): How Live Nation builds their benefits programs*(13:19): How benefits leaders can get buy-in from other leaders *(16:41): Emily explains Sober Nation*(25:09): Benefits programs must-haves*(32:30): Emily’s advice for those new to the industry-------Links:Connect with Emily on LinkedInFollow Live Nation on LinkedInLearn more about Live NationConnect with Sasha on LinkedInLearn more about Collective Health

This episode features an interview with Serafina Miller, Senior Principal Consultant at Mercer. Serafina has been in the industry for over two decades, specializing in group account management for multiple industries like banking, biotechnology, transportation, engineering firms, and law firms. At Mercer, Serafina partners with employers to ensure their employee benefits programs integrate with compensation strategies and business objectives, as well as aligning with the organizations’ DEI strategies.In this episode, Sasha sits down with Serafina to discuss designing inclusive benefits plans, why self-funding is a win-win for finance and benefits teams, and the importance of provider alignment.-------“A lot of conversations in these last handful of years about provider alignment to the communities in which they serve, and really pushing insurance carriers to work on their provider diversity. Hiring more Black, Latine physicians, transgender physicians, non-binary physicians, because there are certain conversations that are much easier to have because there's an alignment of life experience. There's a believability factor that's built into that dynamic. It encourages more people to get more engaged in their healthcare. We're so focused on preventive care, if we have more diverse physicians, people will get more engaged in their preventive care and ideally live, the goal is longer, healthier, and therefore, happier lives.” – Serafina Miller-------Episode Timestamps:*(00:32): Serafina dives into Mercer *(05:54): What size groups are moving to self-funded*(08:47): Ancillary and PTO trends in the benefits space*(12:09): What family-building, fertility, and reproductive health benefits look like*(18:00): Components of an inclusive benefits program*(26:46): The importance of virtual care*(28:56): Serafina’s advice for those new to the industry-------Links:Connect with Serafina on LinkedInConnect with Sasha on LinkedInLearn more about Collective Health

This episode features an interview with Michael Levin, Co-founder of Ideon, an infrastructure platform powering digital experiences in health insurance and employee benefits. Michael has over 20 years of experience driving innovation and bringing quality and choice to new markets. Prior to Ideon, he served as the Chief Operating Officer for Affiliates Risk Management Services (ARMS), where he recruited a new leadership team, transformed and upgraded financial operations and audit systems, and led business plan development. He also founded Media Sciences, Inc., bringing quality, value, and choice to the printer supply market.In this episode, Sasha and Michael discuss building infrastructure in the benefits space, the importance of decision support tools, and the trend of same-day benefits.-------“There's so much that we can do around creating better member experience. We can get coverage in place in days, not weeks, so that you don't get to the doctor and have a coverage issue. Or if you were to leave a company and you need to avail yourself of COBRA, that it is seamless as opposed to a three week or four week set of challenges. You should be able to understand the differences in real language between plans and understand the tradeoffs of making an investment in one place versus another. There's so much we can do around education, around transparency, ‘Is this the right doctor based on their experience, their training, their outcomes for me?’ Transparency and pharmacy and costs associated with that. But, there's so many areas of the member journey that could be improved from enrollment all the way through, through using these products. The good news is there's a lot of really great companies led by really great founders who are passionate about solving these problems and they will be solved. There's a lot of activity happening, so this is being solved for today. All of us have a good reason to expect great outcomes over the coming years.” – Michael Levin-------Episode Timestamps:*(00:57): Michael explains Ideon*(06:40): The importance of infrastructure in the benefits space*(13:52): The power of accurate provider data*(19:10): Michael dives into decision support tools*(23:53): How we can improve member experience*(26:40): Michael shares his favorite healthcare story-------Links:Connect with Michael on LinkedInConnect with Sasha on LinkedInLearn more about Collective Health