Episodes

“You can have the same provider, same treatment, two different locations, different outcomes.” - Gentry Lynn Gentry Lynn, VP at Healthcare Bluebook, joined me this week to discuss what it means to actually make an impact in this industry, why there’s so much cost variance between locations, and how we can more effectively engage members to use new solutions. One of the key points of our discussion was that there are actual health outcome and cost ramifications to which location patients get th...

“It's like the Wizard of Oz, I think, or The Matrix. You have this veil that as the participant in it for so long, you just don't think about your benefits. But I think when you kind of peel back the curtain and you're looking at the greed of it and how everyone is getting paid on people being sick, it's gross. And I don't vibe with it.” - Durrell Finch Anyone who listens to the show should know by now that I’m a huge proponent of personal wellness, healthy eating, and exercise, which is why I ...

"Compliance does not have to be a burden. It doesn't have to be hard. It can be a value differentiator and an opportunity to really help people." - Jen Berman Jen Berman joined me this week to close out our trilogy of compliance episodes. We focused on why regulations exist, the purpose of recent legislation like the CAA, and why it’s important for consultants to learn the compliance process. Jen is the CEO of MZQ Consulting (not an acronym, as we discuss in the episode), a leading provider of...

"When consumers understand that they can get the same level of care at half the price, they feel good about making that decision." - Josh Schreiner “We're actually going to collapse that concept entirely. Everyone's in network from your perspective, from the consumer, from the patient perspective." - Michael Mather Continuing from last week’s theme of compliance and regulation, Josh Schreiner, Chief Product Officer, and Michael Mather, General Counsel, of HealthEZ joined me for a discussion on...

“The CAA was the most significant piece of healthcare legislation that we've had since the ACA.” - Sarah Borders Healthcare compliance, especially post-CAA, can be a complex thing for employers to navigate. There’s an increased level of scrutiny on employers, with heavy fees for those who don’t comply. This week on Self-Funded with Spencer I’m joined by Sarah Borders, co-founder of Benefits Compliance Solutions. Here are a few key takeaways for consultants: Understanding compliance: Navigatin...

"I think our industry is craving some disruption - and it needs it." - Jack Crotty What does it actually mean to disrupt the health insurance industry? Jack Crotty, the Director of Business Development of Adyptation, joined me in studio this week for a discussion on the innovative solutions he’s bringing to the consulting world, including pharmaceutical sourcing and specialized disease care that brings incredible care to employees and day one savings to the employers who pay for it. As Jack s...

"There's no reason you can't make content.There's no excuses. Just get started. Because it could open opportunities you don't even know." - Jake Rushton Jake and I can both honestly say that we would not be where we are in our careers today without social media, but for many of those who tune into the show, getting started with producing content can be super intimidating. How do you film reels or podcasts? Do you need a bunch of super expensive equipment right away? And, if you put the time/mon...

“I think we're now at a point where we as a society are recognizing we can't wait until it gets bad enough. And how do we get people into care sooner?" - Megan Rozanski I wanted to close out January with a focus on mental health and how to continue breaking down the stigma surrounding it, and Megan Rozanski was gracious enough to join me in the studio to do just that. Expanding access to and improving the delivery of healthcare have been two key values of the podcast since the beginning, and t...

"Whereas the current structure pits [employers, doctors, and patients] against each other, with Direct Primary Care, we all want the same thing." - Dr. David Cameron For Dr. David Cameron, DPC (direct primary care) isn't just another health insurance acronym; it’s a revolutionary approach to delivering healthcare that has transformed his role as a physician. Beyond incorporating DPC into his practice, David, in his capacity as the Chief Medical Officer at Hint Connect, is actively working to e...

"The only thing that will fix healthcare is restoring the doctor patient relationship without anybody in between it." - Emma Fox Emma Fox joins me on this special pre-YouPowered Symposium episode to talk about her healthcare journey, from moving to America and discovering just how broken our system was for the first time to recently meeting with the President to discuss what needs to be done. Emma’s early experience with medical debt and medical bankruptcy inspired her huge passion for transpa...

"If you show me the incentives, I'll show you the outcomes." - David Contorno "I want to fix the healthcare system. My mission ended up being to correct the injustices I find in the healthcare system as I find them. And that's what I do every single day." - Emma Fox On this bonus episode of Self Funded With Spencer, I sat down with David Contorno and Emma Fox for this bonus episode focusing on how their aligned views on the healthcare landscape led to their marriage and their mutual business v...

"Health insurance has been so perverted that it becomes the one insurance that we go bankrupt when we use." - David Contorno I was super grateful to have David Contorno, founder of e-Powered Benefits, join me on the podcast for a conversation covering many aspects of the healthcare landscape, from how brokers can think outside the boxes to change the industry to how we need to change the way employers look at wellness plans. At a time when the average family premium is over $23,000 a year, the...

"If we can take that [financial] anxiety away from them to where they can focus on their health, that's our mission, that's our cause. That's what we want to do." - Brett Morris Brett Morris joins me on the podcast for a conversation revolving around the Samaritan Fund Program, which he developed to help those individuals and families who have been physically and financially devastated by a medical diagnosis. He directly works with employers and employees, helping to mitigate high-cost medical...

In this special episode of Self-Funded with Spencer, I am joined by my friend Seth Denson for my first ever live version of the podcast through LinkedIn Live. This episode was previously recorded on 12/20/23, but I wanted to make sure that those who missed it on LinkedIn, still had an opportunity to watch and listen. Seth is the Head of Employee Benefits at Acrisure and he also features daily as a sought after business and market analyst for Fox News, CNN, NewsMax, OANN and more. In this spir...

Advanced Medical Strategies - Stacy Borans - Founder of AMS Stacy Borans is a seasoned expert in healthcare technology and data analysis, with a robust background in medical cost management. As a key player at Advanced Medical Strategies (AMS), she has been instrumental in developing software solutions for payment accuracy, risk assessment, and business intelligence in the healthcare industry. Her perspective on healthcare technology and data analysis in medical cost management is shaped by he...

Josh Honaker is a seasoned pediatrician from South Central Kentucky, renowned for his expertise in integrating telehealth and education in pediatric healthcare. He currently serves as the CEO of Parent MD, a platform that embodies his belief in the necessity of Telehealth and education as solutions to common frustrations and disconnects in pediatric healthcare. Dr. Honaker's perspective is shaped by his experiences with time constraints and high patient volumes, which often leave parents feeli...

How Should Insurance Brokers Get Paid - Jonathan Lopez Jonathan Lopez's career journey is a testament to the power of hard work and continuous learning. From a shoulder injury in the Marine Corps to earning a doctorate in leadership, Lopez has overcome obstacles and embraced opportunities to shape his professional path. Lopez's commitment to helping others extends beyond his career. He is actively involved in fundraising for wells in Tanzania through the Water Boys organization. This philanthr...

In this episode of the podcast Self-Funded with Spencer, hosted by Spencer Smith and featuring Sam Moen, the co-founder of MD Direct, the discussion centered around MD Direct's unique approach to optimizing healthcare and nutrition. MD Direct is a healthcare company that aims to bridge the gap in hospital nutrition and diet, focusing on individual performance and optimizing knowledge to help patients achieve their health goals. One of the key factors that impact MD Direct's approach is the dis...

Recruit & Retain with Employee Benefits - Kyle Minick The evolving employer market is placing a greater emphasis on HR policies, benefits, and healthcare transparency. In this episode of the podcast "Self Funded" hosted by Spencer Smith and featuring Kyle Minick, the importance of these factors in talent management strategies was discussed. Traditionally, financial compensation has been the primary focus for employers when it comes to attracting and retaining talent. However, surveys have cons...

The TPA Problem-Solver - Madeline Smith of MADDRS Today's episode features Madeline, CEO and Founder of MADDRS. Madeline Smith is a passionate insurance professional with a diverse background in writing, teaching, coaching, and consulting, and a strong desire to improve differentiation and value in the self-funded plan industry. Madeline sees her role evolving to focus more on teaching, supporting, and consulting behind the scenes, rather than being at the forefront trying to sell and produce...

From Military Service to Employee Benefits - Two Veterans' Journey into Healthcare Transitioning from military service to civilian life can be a daunting task for some veterans. However, with the right support and guidance, veterans can find fulfilling careers in various industries. One such industry is insurance consulting, which offers a unique blend of strategic thinking, problem-solving, and client management. In a recent episode of the podcast @SelfFunded with Spencer, hosted by Spencer S...

In this episode of the podcast @SelfFunded with Spencer, hosted by Spencer Smith and featuring Paul Pruitt, the topic of addressing high medication costs in healthcare was discussed. The episode shed light on the challenges faced by individuals and employers due to the financial burden of expensive medications and explored potential solutions to alleviate this issue. Paul Pruitt, CGO of SHARx, shared his personal experience of spending $1.8M on annually on medication for his family. This stagge...

Pharmacogenetics: Personalized Medicine for the Future In a this episode of the podcast "Self Funded" hosted by Spencer Smith, entrepreneur Nick Glimcher shared his journey from the world of commercial real estate to the healthcare industry. Glimcher's story highlights the importance of adaptability and seizing opportunities in different industries. He emphasizes the link between powerlifting and entrepreneurship, both requiring consistent effort and commitment for success. One of the key cha...

In this episode of the podcast "Self Funded with Spencer," host Spencer Smith sat down with CJ Brock, the CEO of Better Way Medical Group, to discuss a range of topics related to healthcare innovations and challenges. The conversation covered groundbreaking advancements in heart transplants, the shift of surgical procedures to office settings, and the obstacles faced by healthcare providers. One of the highlights of the episode was the opening discussion on the revolutionary heart box, a device...