The Phia Group's Podcast

Attorneys Jon Jablon and Nick Bonds break down some of the issues around administering prior authorization requirements, including their use as a cost-containment tool, the procedural aspects, perceptions, and the impact that can have on plan participants. They also discuss some of the regulatory guardrails being put around prior authorizations at the state and federal levels, and some of the key...

Join the dynamic duo of Ron Peck and Corey Crigger as they discuss the surge of equity investment into “sin” services – such as  gambling and adult entertainment – and how this is likely only one part of a bigger strategy… A strategy that ties into the same investors’ recent backing of health care providers treating conditions caused, triggered, or exacerbated by the same behaviors.  Conspiracy th...

In the latest episode of the Empowering Plans podcast, attorneys Jon Jablon and Kendall Jackson discuss common misconceptions surrounding RBP plans and the NSA. From protections against balance billing to the Independent Dispute Resolution process, we are covering all of the areas of the NSA that you need to consider for an RBP plan.

On the latest and greatest episode of the Empowering Plans podcast series, attorneys Bryan Dunton and Cindy Merrell discuss news that matters to you: how recent headlines signal sweeping changes to adverse claims determinations and prior authorization practices.

In this episode, we take a closer look at two key developments out of CMS that could reshape how provider data and dispute resolution work in practice. First, we explore the agency’s proposed National Provider Directory — an ambitious effort to clean up fragmented provider data and reduce ghost networks. Then, we break down insights from the July 2025 CMS Technical Assistance Seminar, which tackle...

Today, attorneys Kelly Dempsey and Naga Vivekanandan dive into the latest landmark healthcare-related legislation, nicknamed “The One, Big, Beautiful Bill," and how it will reshape High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs), telemedicine, and Direct Primary Care (DPC) arrangements. They explore the IRS rules, what's changed, and what it means for employers, employees, and plan administrators.

In this episode of Phia’s Empowering Plans Podcast, attorneys Nicholas Bonds, Esq. and Bryan M. Dunton, Esq., break down the key Supreme Court rulings issued in June 2025 that have direct implications for self-funded group health plans and their fiduciaries. From decisions impacting coverage mandates, nationwide injunctions, and gender-affirming care, Nick and Bryan explore how these opinions resh...

Join The Phia Group’s Corey Crigger and Ron Peck as they discuss some of the things many in our industry seem to be thinking, but are often afraid to say aloud.  Does being a good fiduciary mean being a bad guy?  Tune in and find out.

On the latest installment of the Empowering Plans podcast series, join attorneys Jon Jablon and Kendall Jackson as they discuss the integration of AI into the self-funded industry. From HIPAA considerations to current case law, this episode explores the impact of AI on health plans and TPAs thus far. It is an episode you can’t afford to miss!

Join attorneys Bryan Dunton and Cindy Merrell as they explore President Trump’s latest moves to address the rising cost of prescription drugs. Cindy and Bryan discuss potential impacts of recent Executive Orders and proposed tariffs.

In this episode, we unpack the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University — a landmark ERISA case with major implications for retirement and health plan fiduciaries. We explain the facts behind the case, what “prohibited transactions” really mean, and why the Court's ruling on affirmative defenses matters. If your health plan pays fees to TPAs, PBMs, IDR vendors, or bro...

The Run for the Roses is here! Join two of Phia’s Louisville, Kentucky, employees, Corey Crigger and Cindy Merrell, as they discuss the event that takes over their city once a year! Coming on the heels of a historic weather event, Corey and Cindy discuss all things Derby. From Cindy’s experience at Dawn at the Downs to predictions for winners, this podcast has it all. Don’t be fooled, this podcast...

Our consulting team has received numerous questions in Q1 2025 about employers considering self-funding their health plans. Join Attorneys Jennifer McCormick and Kelly Dempsey as they go through what the driving factors are behind employers considering self-funding, the pros and cons of self-funding, and some of the major differences employers will encounter. If you’re considering taking the leap,...

ERISA gives plan sponsors great power and great responsibility. On this week’s podcast, attorneys Ron Peck and Nick Bonds get back to ERISA fundamentals to talk about how to really embrace fiduciary status and properly exercise discretionary authority.

On this episode of the Empowering Plans podcast, attorneys Corey Crigger and Kendall Jackson discuss the hot button topic of weight loss drugs. Tune in to learn more about the latest advances in this space and the various coverage and exclusion options plans may pursue. 

Artificial intelligence may be changing the trajectory of the self-funded industry – but can it negotiate? In this episode of The Phia Group’s Empowering Plans podcast, attorneys Brian O’Hara and Jon Jablon break down real-life examples of AI-driven responses in the No Surprises Act’s Open Negotiations process that range from nonsensical to outright misleading, where negotiating with AI is like tr...

On this episode of the Empowering Plans Podcast, attorneys Brady Bizzaro and Cindy Merrell delve into the details of the Lewandowski v. Johnson & Johnson case. Is this case a big win for plan fiduciaries or a warning?

Attorneys Kelly Dempsey and Bryan Dunton dive into the results of the 2024 MHPAEA Report to Congress. The EBSA and CMS have continued to improve their focus on network design and adequacy for group health plans. In this episode, Kelly and Bryan discuss how these parity problems manifest themselves in testing and what plans can do to resolve them. 

Attorneys Jen McCormick and Nick Bonds ring in the Lunar New Year by breaking down the ERIC v. HHS lawsuit in which an industry advocate challenged the federal regulators’ new Final Rules enforcing the MHPAEA and mental health parity rules. Could this case blaze a new path for challenging agency actions in a post-Chevron Doctrine world? Join us as we discuss the potential implications for group he...

It’s a new year, and a new type of Empowering Plans podcast! In a world full of talking heads and 2-minute news cycles, hot takes have become the norm. This is true from mainstream news media to sports talk radio. Ron Peck and Corey Crigger throw their hat in the hot take ring by speculating on what some of the biggest news stories could be in 2025. From AI to RFK Jr, join Ron and Corey as they ga...

On today’s episode of the Empowering Plans podcast series, attorneys Kendall Jackson and Brian O’Hara discuss the Biden administration’s decision to withdraw proposed rules that would have expanded the birth control benefits mandate. Join us in our discussion of the mandate and how it has evolved throughout the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations.

On this episode of the Empowering Plans podcast series, attorneys Corey Crigger and Cindy Merrell discuss the murder of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, which fueled public outcry over denied claims.

In this episode of the Empowering Plans podcast, attorneys Jon Jablon and Brady Bizarro delve into the details of a recent lawsuit where BCBS of Michigan, in its capacity as a TPA, is alleged to have engaged in anticompetitive practices for charging a fee to a group that chose a stop-loss carrier other than BCBS. This case is in its infancy as of December 2024, but we expect it to have noticeable...

On this episode of the Empowering Plans Podcast, attorneys Ron Peck and Nick Bonds talk through a recent Florida case addressing judicial review of IDR determinations and highlight some of the key insights and takeaways for any entity subject to the No Surprises Act.

Join Attorneys Corey Crigger and Kendall Jackson on this Halloween edition of the Empowering Plans Podcast. Corey and Kendall take a look at topics that send shivers down the spine of the self-funded industry. How do you protect your plan from the scary cost of gene therapies? What will the rapidly advancing AI sector mean for you and your clients? What is the best trick or treat candy? Tune in to...