Becker’s Payer Issues Podcast

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Adam Park, Director of Network Development, Curative Health Plan, who discusses how Curative is redesigning employer-sponsored healthcare by removing financial barriers to care and investing in prevention. He also shares how AI is improving credentialing, prior authorization, and member support while helping cr...

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Cara Wahmann, Executive Director Clinical Oversight & Ops Support, HCSC,  who discusses how health plans are navigating rising complexity across regulation, digital transformation, and member expectations. She also shares insights on using interoperability and AI to reduce administrative friction, digitize...

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Patrick Stevenson, Vice President, Data and Technology, McLaren Health Plan. Patrick discusses how McLaren Health Plan is leveraging predictive analytics, AI, and proactive care strategies to improve member outcomes, streamline prior authorization, and better manage risk in today’s evolving payer landscape. In...

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Garfield Collins, Co-Founder and Chief Administrative and Partnership Officer, Zing Health. Garfield shares how Zing Health is balancing affordability with high-touch member engagement, leveraging technology and AI to support chronically ill populations, simplify care navigation, and build long-term trust with...

In this episode, Dave DeHommel, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Payer Solutions at Reveleer, discusses how Medicare Advantage plans can reduce RADV audit exposure through stronger clinical data infrastructure, prospective risk adjustment strategies, and year-round documentation readiness. Visit https://www.reveleer.com/solutions/radv-audit?utm_source=beckers&utm_medium=podcast&amp...

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Patrick Stevenson, Vice President, Data and Technology, McLaren Health Plan. Patrick discusses how McLaren Health Plan is leveraging predictive analytics, AI, and proactive care strategies to improve member outcomes, streamline prior authorization, and better manage risk in today’s evolving payer landscape. In...

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Rob Hitchcock, President and Chief Executive Officer, Select Health. Rob discusses the operational pressures facing payers today, including Medicare Advantage challenges and rising pharmaceutical costs, while sharing how Select Health is leveraging AI and end-to-end member insights to improve care coordination,...

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Andy Higgins, Vice President, Product And Member Engagement, Clever Care Health Plan. Andy shares how Clever Care is building trust through culturally competent care, community-based member engagement, and AI-enabled support tools that enhance human interaction while improving quality outcomes and member experi...

In this episode, Rakesh Mathew, MS, MBA, CPHIMS, Interoperability Leader at Jefferson Health Plans, joins the podcast to discuss the financial pressures facing payers and how sustained losses can reduce competition and lead to market consolidation. He shares perspectives on improving affordability and access, and outlines how organizations can prepare for success in 2027 through stronger interoper...

In this episode, Ilan Shapiro, MD, MBA, FAAP, FACHE, Chief Health Correspondent and Medical Affairs Officer and Senior Vice President at AltaMed Health Services, joins the podcast to discuss breaking language barriers in healthcare and closing gaps between patients and providers. He shares how improving communication and cultural understanding can lead to better access, stronger relationships, and...

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Michael Roan, Market Lead, South Atlantic Markets, Oscar Health. He discusses innovative plan design, proactive care strategies, and how Oscar Health is leveraging AI and personalized member experiences to improve outcomes, reduce barriers to care, and support long-term health engagement. In collaboration with...

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Damanjeet Chaubey, Vice President, Clinical Affairs, Clover Health. She discusses how Clover Health is using AI, clinical decision support, and home-based care models to improve member outcomes, reduce costs through proactive interventions, and support care teams without adding administrative burden. In collabo...

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Chris Gay, Chief Executive Officer, Evry Health and Pendral. He discusses rebuilding trust between payers and members, using AI voice technology to improve engagement and care coordination, and how innovative plan design and digital tools can help lower costs while enhancing the member experience. In collaborat...

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Betsy Williamson, RN, BS, MHA, Vice President, Quality Performance and Population Health, Medical Mutual of Ohio. She shares how an AI healthcare voice agent is expanding member engagement, improving satisfaction, and enabling care teams to focus on higher impact work while maintaining a human-centered approach...

In this episode, Steve Moorehead, Vice President of Product, Strategic Planning and Performance Management at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusett, and Marc Pierce, Principal at ECG Management Consultants, discuss why client retention has become a growing challenge for health plans and how organizations can use data-driven insights to identify risk earlier. This episode is sponsored by ECG Manag...

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Brandy Thompson, CEO, Benefitbay. She discusses how ICHRA models are shifting healthcare decision-making to employees, the operational challenges payers face with legacy systems, and how AI is improving member engagement, plan selection, and care navigation while maintaining trust and quality. In collaboration...

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Ceci Connolly, President And Chief Executive Officer, ACHP, reflects on the growing financial and operational pressures facing health plans across all lines of business, and how nonprofit, community-based payers are navigating affordability while strengthening local relationships and care coordination. In colla...

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Siva Balu, Senior Vice President, Chief Information and Digital Officer, Quartz. He discusses the operational challenges facing payers today, how AI and automation are improving affordability and member experience, and the importance of interoperability and data-driven engagement across healthcare. In collabora...

In this episode, Lisa Baird, Chief Executive Officer of Aetna Better Health of Missouri, joins the podcast to discuss keeping community needs at the center of healthcare strategy. She shares how her organization is reaching members in rural areas, improving access to care, and navigating evolving Medicaid eligibility requirements while continuing to support vulnerable populations.

In this episode, Kelli Tice, MD, Vice President of Medical Affairs and Chief Health Improvement Officer at GuideWell and Florida Blue, joins the podcast to discuss navigating healthcare with limited resources while continuing to improve outcomes. She shares insights on advancing maternal health, the importance of thoughtful decision-making, and how leadership choices can create meaningful impact a...

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Jennifer St Thomas, Senior Vice President, Commercial and Medicare Markets, Mass General Brigham Health Plan. She discusses the growing focus on affordability, improving access to lower cost sites of care, and how digital tools and AI are helping simplify member communications and strengthen care coordination....

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Dr. Krystal Revai, Chief Medical Officer, Atrio Health. She shares how her team is tackling data challenges, using targeted care management to improve outcomes for high risk members, and thoughtfully integrating AI to support rather than replace human driven care. In collaboration with Hippocratic AI .

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Nora Leibowitz, Chief Medicaid Program Officer, CareOregon. She discusses rising utilization and funding pressures, how CareOregon is streamlining operations to improve member and provider experience, and the role of data and AI in reducing friction and strengthening outcomes. In collaboration with Hippocratic...

In this episode, Dr. Tunde Sotunde, President and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina & CuraCor Solutions, discusses the drivers of rising healthcare costs, the importance of value-based care and whole-person health, and how innovative programs and partnerships are improving access, affordability, and outcomes across the state.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Ellen Sexton, Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer, Blue Shield of California. She discusses tackling healthcare affordability, scaling virtual care and digital tools like Virtual Blue, and using AI and data-driven strategies to improve access, reduce ER utilization, and enhance member experience w...