Podnosis

Nick Stefanizzi, CEO of Northwell Direct, dives into the innovative world of direct contracting in healthcare. He reveals how this approach allows employers to partner directly with care providers, streamlining costs and improving employee care. The discussion highlights the shift towards tailored healthcare solutions, particularly in behavioral health, catalyzed by the pandemic. Stefanizzi also addresses the importance of collaboration in the competitive healthcare landscape and shares insights on the future of employer-sponsored healthcare, emphasizing direct partnerships for better care management.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 35 million Americans, and up to 9 in 10 adults with the condition don’t know they have it. Often called a “silent killer,” CKD is typically diagnosed in later stages, when treatment becomes more complex and costly. In this episode, Fierce Healthcare Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks with Carney Taylor, M.D., associate chief medical officer at Interwell Health, about why CKD is ripe for value-based care, how early interventions can improve outcomes, and what it takes to shift kidney care upstream. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  CMMI to cut participation in payment models, estimates $750M in savings Humana finds value-based care leads to fewer hospital admissions for kidney patients Humana cuts 13-state kidney disease management deal with Interwell Health Interwell Health finalizes $2.4B kidney care merger to combine tech, value-based care capabilities See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new medical school in Arkansas has welcomed its first-ever class. The Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM), founded by Walmart heir Alice Walton in 2021, is built on the principles of whole health. The curriculum values the arts and business as much as clinical work and research, with a goal of bringing empathy back to medicine. In this episode of "Podnosis," Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks with AWSOM CEO and founding dean Sharmila Makhija, M.D., about what makes the school unique, the partnerships already underway and the long-term vision for strengthening the clinical workforce in Arkansas. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Walmart heir's nonprofit to start new integrative medical school in Arkansas Mercy, Alice Walton philanthropies unveil $700M specialty care affiliation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Employers are facing rising healthcare costs, and specialty care remains among the most expensive. For self-funded employers, even a few employees with chronic conditions can significantly drive up spending. That makes access to high-quality care especially important. Carrum Health partners with employers through a value-based network of specialty care providers. In this episode of "Podnosis," Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks with Christoph Dankert, Carrum’s chief network officer, about trends in the market, employer bargaining power and why value-based payment models are key to improving care. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Carrum Health marks major expansion of Centers of Excellence network, specialty care service lines Carrum Health offers value-based treatment model for substance use disorders Industry Voices—Healthcare disruption is here and employers are driving it UnitedHealth, HAC study examines how obesity is impacting employer health costs See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a sponsored episode of Podnosis, Fierce Healthcare’s Chris Hayden speaks with Chris Johnson, co-CEO of TeleTracking, and Jeremy David, co-head of healthcare at Palantir, about a new partnership aimed at modernizing hospital operations. The collaboration combines TeleTracking’s patient flow and capacity management expertise with Palantir’s artificial intelligence and data analytics tools. The goal: help health systems make faster, smarter decisions, reduce inefficiencies, and improve access to care—all while reducing costs. The conversation highlights how the joint platform is designed to address mounting operational pressures, from staff shortages to extended wait times. Unlike traditional tech solutions, the companies say their approach centers on real-time, AI-driven workflows that adapt to evolving hospital needs. Instead of long-term roadmaps, they’re focused on delivering measurable results within months. To hear more about how the two companies plan to transform healthcare operations, listen to the full episode of Podnosis, available now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A growing number of healthcare stakeholders are recognizing the importance of whole-person care, which addresses both physical and mental health. Affordability is often the first hurdle. But beyond that, what does it really take to improve mental healthcare? In this episode of "Podnosis," Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya sits down with Jennifer Meyer, president of commercial and consumer business at SonderMind, a national mental health provider offering both virtual and in-person therapy and psychiatry, to discuss where the field is headed and how providers can help move it forward. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  SonderMind expands telemental health to New York, Michigan, now in all 50 states Intermountain to use NeuroFlow tech to support integrated behavioral health in primary care Survey: Opportunities for tech investments in behavioral health Grow Therapy launches care coordination program to streamline referrals to higher levels of care See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amar Kendale, President of Homeward Health, and Punit Soni, CEO of Suki, discuss the transformative potential of AI in rural healthcare. They highlight the unique opportunities for rural providers to leapfrog outdated tech amidst challenges like staffing shortages and budget constraints. Kendale emphasizes strategies for addressing healthcare disparities, while Soni shares practical insights on adopting AI tools in resource-limited settings. Their conversation reveals how AI could enhance access and patient outcomes while fostering collaboration and innovation in struggling communities.

If you work in healthcare, chances are you have limited visibility into your patients. A primary care provider might not know when a patient visits the hospital, and vice versa. But what if all relevant data could be surfaced and shared in real time with everyone involved in a patient's care? Watershed Health is working to make that possible. The platform enables real-time data sharing by connecting electronic health records, paper-based documentation and nontraditional systems. The goal: to help organizations better coordinate care across the continuum. In this episode, Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya spotlights a new large-scale data-sharing initiative Watershed launched in Austin, Texas. She speaks with Watershed CEO Effie Carlson and Jeff Richardson, CEO of Integral Care, a behavioral health provider partnering with Watershed, about what the collaboration means for care coordination. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Watershed Health rolls out large-scale data sharing platform across Austin, Texas region Protecting sensitive patient data from interstate exchange Holon Solutions, Nevada HIE team up to help providers access data at the point of care Indigenous tribe becomes first in Michigan to tap state HIE for data sharing between tribal, non-tribal providers This episode is sponsored by Optum Rx. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Employers are doubling down on efforts to improve employee wellbeing, but the approach is becoming more nuanced. Mental health, physical health and financial wellness remain key priorities, but integration and targeted engagement are taking center stage.  In this episode of "Podnosis," Fierce Healthcare Senior Writer Paige Minemyer speaks with Jim Winkler, chief strategy officer at the Business Group on Health, about the findings from the organization’s survey on employer wellbeing strategies and how companies are adapting their programs for greater impact. To learn more about this topic:  Employers set to put more pressure on well-being vendors to improve outcomes, survey finds 2025 outlook: Employers face yet another year of healthcare cost increases Employers are bracing for healthcare costs to spike in 2025. Here's why Employers' enthusiasm for virtual care is on the decline: Business Group This episode is sponsored by Optum Rx. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a recent sponsored episode of Podnosis, CorroHealth Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jerilyn Morrissey joined host Chris Hayden to discuss the growing impact of payer denials on hospitals and the critical role of clinical documentation. Morrissey said documentation affects everything from patient safety to revenue and is scrutinized at every stage of the care process. Despite advancements in AI and workflow software, she said providers still struggle with the volume and complexity of documentation requirements, often forced to choose between speed and quality. CorroHealth aims to ease that burden by combining advanced technology with clinical insight to support health systems’ efforts in utilization management, clinical documentation improvement and denial prevention. Morrissey emphasized the need for targeted, data-informed interventions over one-size-fits-all approaches. She said hospitals should focus on the highest-impact areas and coordinate efforts across departments to see meaningful results. To hear the full conversation, listen to the latest episode of Podnosis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.