Healthcare Happy Hour

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, David Saltzman interviews Ray Seaver, CEO of Zizzl Health, discussing the innovative Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) model. They explore how ICHRAs provide employers with a flexible way to offer health insurance, addressing key pain points such as affordability and employee satisfaction. The conversation delves into the employee experience, the importance of decision support tools, and the unique advantages of Zizzl Health's approach. They also touch on regulatory challenges, compensation models for advisors, and future trends in the ICHRA landscape.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, sponsored by RxBenefits, host David Saltzman and Rick Israel, partner at Life Line Insurance Consultants, discuss the significance of in-district meetings with legislators for healthcare professionals. They explore strategies for scheduling these meetings, the importance of preparation, and how to build lasting relationships with legislators. The conversation also covers the engagement with state legislators and effective follow-up strategies to ensure ongoing communication and advocacy.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, David Saltzman and Steve Cain, director, sales & business development leader, at LTCI Partners, discuss the evolving landscape of long-term care insurance. They explore the current state of the market, the impact of demographic shifts, and the role of public programs in shaping private insurance conversations. The discussion highlights the importance of long-term care planning and the need for financial advisors to engage clients in these critical discussions. Looking ahead, they anticipate continued growth and demand for long-term care solutions as awareness increases.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, David Saltzman speaks with Jessica Altman, Executive Director of Covered California, about the implications of the recent public law, often referred to as the 'Big Beautiful Bill.' They discuss its significant provisions affecting healthcare markets, particularly focusing on affordability, Medicaid changes, plan design, and the potential impact on consumers and providers. The conversation also touches on the likelihood of Congress extending enhanced premium tax credits and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for healthcare coverage in the United States.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, sponsored by AffirmedRx, David Saltzman speaks with Mike Stancil, Vice President of Strategic Alliances at AffirmedRx, about the unique structure of public benefit corporations in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing patient care over profits. They discuss the need for transparency in pharmacy benefits, the growing awareness among employers regarding their options, and the complexities surrounding specialty medications. The conversation highlights the innovative approaches AffirmedRx is taking to ensure better healthcare outcomes while maintaining ethical standards.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, host David Saltzman interviews AbsenceSoft founder Seth Turner about the growing role of leave as a core employee benefit. Paid leave is no longer just a nice-to-have. It’s a deciding factor for job seekers and a loyalty builder for current staff. Seth shares new data on the types of leave employees value most, how poor leave experiences drive turnover, and why delivering the right leave benefits with the right process can improve retention, morale, and compliance. HR and benefits leaders will walk away with practical strategies to support today’s workforce more effectively, without adding to their administrative load.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, sponsored by RxBenefits, host David Saltzman speaks with Whitney Reboulet, Senior Vice President of Account Management at RxBenefits. They discuss Whitney's journey into the pharmacy benefits management space, the challenges of pricing transparency, the importance of data in decision-making, and the impact of specialty drugs like GLP-1s. The conversation also covers formulary design, pharmacy network options, and the ongoing legislative trends affecting the industry.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, host David Saltzman interviews Vani Hari, known as the Food Babe, who shares her journey from a childhood filled with processed foods to becoming a leading food activist. Vani discusses her health struggles, the pivotal moment that led her to change her diet, and her efforts to expose the truth about food ingredients and advocate for healthier options. She highlights her experience with Chick-fil-A, the challenges of navigating advocacy without being polarizing, and the importance of understanding food labels. Vani also addresses the dangers of glyphosate and offers advice for building a purpose-driven movement in today's digital landscape.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, host David Saltzman interviews Connie Podesta, a renowned speaker known for her unique blend of psychology and humor. They discuss Connie's journey from being a talkative student to a successful speaker, the importance of understanding the 'why' behind actions, and how COVID has changed personal and professional dynamics. Connie emphasizes the need for flexibility in goal-setting and the significance of self-awareness in communication. She also shares insights on her upcoming speech at the NABIP Annual Convention, focusing on the challenges of dealing with others.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, host David Saltzman interviews Jói Sigurdsson, founder and CEO of Crankwheel, about the innovative screen sharing platform designed to enhance communication, particularly for less tech-savvy users. They discuss the origins of Crankwheel, its unique features such as e-signature capabilities, recording functionalities, and tools for client engagement. Jói explains how Crankwheel simplifies the presentation process, making it accessible for agents working with older clients. The conversation also touches on the future of the platform and its commitment to user-friendly design.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, host David Saltzman interviews Chris Cillizza, a prominent political commentator, about the current state of healthcare legislation under the Trump administration. They discuss the priorities of the Republican party, the implications of government reduction, and the potential impact of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on healthcare policy. The conversation also touches on the challenges posed by Big Pharma and the effectiveness of executive orders versus legislation in enacting healthcare reform.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, David Saltzman speaks with Vinay Patel, founder of MakoRx, about the evolving role of community pharmacies in the healthcare landscape. They discuss the challenges faced by these local pharmacies as they compete with big box competition, the importance of transparency in drug pricing, and innovative models like subscription services that aim to improve access and affordability. The conversation also touches on the potential for legislative reform to create a more equitable healthcare system.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, host David Saltzman and NABIP Vice President of Congressional Affairs Michael Andel discuss two new healthcare bills that are set to impact employer reporting. They delve into the legislative process, the significance of the bills, and the future of healthcare under the new administration. The conversation highlights the importance of advocacy and the ongoing efforts to improve healthcare legislation.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, host David Saltzman speaks with NABIP Long-Term Care Working Group Chair Lori Martin and Steve Cain, director at LTCI Partners, about the current state of long-term care insurance. They discuss the resurgence of the market, driven by demographic shifts and state initiatives like the Washington CARES Fund. The conversation highlights the importance of worksite benefits, the variety of products available, and the role of NABIP in advocating for long-term care solutions. The episode emphasizes the need for education and awareness among employers and benefit professionals regarding long-term care planning.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, sponsored by RxBenefits, host David Saltzman speaks with KC Armstrong, director of business development at RxBenefits, about the evolution of the pharmacy industry, the complexities of drug pricing in the U.S., and strategies for self-funded plans. KC shares insights on how RxBenefits has adapted to the rapidly changing landscape of healthcare and pharmacy, the role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), and the various factors influencing medication costs. The discussion also highlights the importance of data-driven strategies for employers looking to manage their pharmacy spend effectively.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, sponsored by RxBenefits, host David Saltzman discusses the recent decision by Centene Corporation, through its subsidiary WellCare, to stop paying commissions to agents and brokers for enrolling Medicare beneficiaries in standalone Part D drug plans. Nicole LePetri, director of public policy & advocacy at NABIP, explains the implications of this decision for agents, brokers, and consumers, and discusses NABIP's advocacy efforts in response to these changes. The conversation also touches on the future outlook for NABIP members and the importance of feedback from agents and beneficiaries.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, sponsored by RxBenefits, host David Saltzman speaks with John Jasinski, senior vice president at CalSurance, about the complexities of Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance, particularly in the context of the evolving landscape of self-funded plans. They discuss the various risks associated with professional liability, the importance of effective communication and documentation, and strategies for advisors to protect themselves from potential claims. The conversation also touches on compliance issues and the tailored coverage options available for different types of professionals in the insurance industry.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, host David Saltzman interviews NABIP PAC Chair Joshua Haberman to discuss the importance of political action committees (PACs) in the health insurance industry. Haberman shares his journey into the insurance business and his involvement with NABIP. They explain what a PAC is and how NABIP PAC works to support legislative priorities related to access and affordability in healthcare. They also discuss the role of PACs in building relationships with elected representatives and the impact of PAC contributions on policy outcomes.

In this episode of Healthcare Happy Hour, host David Saltzman speaks with Andy Bonner, co-founder, president and CEO of Healthcare2U, about his personal journey into the healthcare industry after a misdiagnosis led to a cancer diagnosis. Andy discusses the creation of Healthcare2U, a direct primary care model that aims to provide affordable healthcare solutions to underserved populations. The conversation explores the patient experience, the importance of board-certified care, and the challenges of addressing care deserts in the healthcare system.

In this episode of the Healthcare Happy Hour podcast, host David Saltzman interviews Danielle Roberts, the chair of the NABIP Medicare Advisory Group. They discuss Danielle's background in insurance and how she transitioned her business to focus solely on Medicare. They also talk about the role of the Medicare Advisory Group and their current initiatives, including lobbying CMS to remove agents from the third-party marketing organization definition and advocating for changes in Part D coverage. Danielle emphasizes the importance of staying informed and encourages Medicare advisors to join the NABIP Broker to Broker community for support and guidance.