Becker’s Payer Issues Podcast

In this episode, Dan LaVallee and Dr. Brandy Hershberger of UPMC share how the health system is creating innovative apprenticeship programs to support Medicaid members and employees in pursuing meaningful careers. They discuss workforce development, grant funding, and how these programs are shaping the future of healthcare talent pipelines.

In this episode, Alan Cohen, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Centivo, joins the podcast to share his perspective on escalating healthcare costs, premium increases, and the risks facing the ACA market. He also explains how Centivo partners with high-performing providers to deliver cost-effective, sustainable coverage for employers and their employees.

In this episode, Dr. Nathan Crock of Premera Blue Cross shares how the AI-powered chatbot “Alice” is helping hundreds of customer service representatives quickly find accurate information, reducing call times, improving member satisfaction, and enhancing internal knowledge management.

In this episode, John Byrnes, Chief Operating Officer at Banner|Aetna, discusses how the organization is advancing value-based care through integrated technology, strong payer-provider collaboration, and personalized member support. He highlights key strategies driving improved health outcomes and sustainable cost management in Arizona.

In this episode, Karen Ignagni, Executive Chair, and Dr. Dan Knecht, Chief Medical Officer at EmblemHealth, discuss the launch of the first health plan covered lifestyle medicine program for early-stage Alzheimer’s. They explore how evidence-based interventions, community support, and integrated care are reshaping brain health and advancing equity in underserved populations.

In this episode, Jeff Yuan, Co-founder of Mending, discusses how his company is building an AI-native health insurer focused on reducing provider burden and improving patient access through direct primary care partnerships. He also shares insights on rebranding, early success in Maine and Oklahoma, and plans for thoughtful national expansion.

In this episode, Dawn Maroney, President of Alignment Health and CEO of Alignment Health Plan, shares her experience testifying before Congress on the future of Medicare Advantage and highlights key policy changes needed to protect access, expand rural care, and ensure member choice in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

In this episode, Michael Hunn, CEO of CalOptima Health, joins Jakob Emerson to discuss how the organization is preparing for sweeping changes under the Federal Reconciliation Bill. He shares insights on preserving access to care, the importance of managed care partnerships, and how collaboration, communication, and innovation will be essential to maintaining Medicaid’s long-term sustainability.

This episode features Anthony J. Colistra, President of MD Live by Evernorth, discussing how virtual care has evolved, where consumer demand is headed, and how MD Live is using AI to personalize the patient experience, improve patient-provider communication, and streamline provider administrative tasks to give them more time to spend with patients. This episode is sponsored by Evernorth .

In this episode, Alan Murray, President and CEO of MediDrive, shares how innovative, tech-enabled approaches to non-emergency medical transportation are closing care gaps, reducing no-show rates, and supporting more coordinated, patient-centered care—while also improving administrative efficiency and helping to lower system-wide costs. This episode is sponsored by MediDrive .

In this episode, Dr. Joe Kimura, Chief Medical Officer at SCAN Health Plan, discusses how SCAN is leading innovation in Medicare Advantage through personalized care, data analytics, and strategic partnerships. He also explores the critical role of technology and member engagement in improving outcomes for a growing senior population.

This episode features Amy Jordan, Vice President of Consumer Digital Engagement at UnitedHealthcare, discussing the launch of Smart Choice, a data-driven provider search tool designed to simplify healthcare navigation. Amy shares how the platform uses personalization and quality metrics to improve member experience and how it fits into UnitedHealthcare’s broader digital transformation strategy.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Dr. Tom Allen, Executive Medical Director, Behavioral Health, Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Dr. Allen shares how his team is advancing behavioral health outcomes through telehealth, data-driven insights, and deeper integration with primary care while addressing rising rates of mental health conditions with...

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Chris Wasel, President, Strategic Partnerships, Vantage Healthcare. He shares how Vantage is aligning value-based care, patient satisfaction, and care accessibility through innovative on-site services in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities across New England.

In this episode, Michelle Fullerton of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Connie S. Ducaine of MyndYou, explore how AI is streamlining workflows, improving patient engagement, and helping care teams operate at the top of their licensure. They share real-world use cases, tips for integration, and insights on measuring value across efficiency, quality, and outcomes. This episode is sponsored by...

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Saria Saccocio, Chief Medical Officer, Essence Health. Saria shares how Essence Health is enhancing outcomes through physician-led value-based care, leveraging technology like AI and wearable health devices, and advancing health equity through deep community partnerships.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Shawn Shuman, Director, Medical Management, Peak Health. Shawn discusses how Peak Health is tackling healthcare access barriers, boosting member satisfaction, and addressing health equity through innovative care management strategies.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Harlon Pickett, President, Eagle Care Health Solutions. He shares how his organization is improving healthcare access, affordability, and quality through customized, membership-based models, while expanding care equity in rural and underserved communities.

In this episode, Kevin Barron, Deputy VP of Payer Relations at University Health, shares how his team is navigating increasingly aggressive payer tactics, implementing smarter contract oversight, and championing a mission-first approach to revenue cycle operations. He also explains why aligning contracting within RevCycle has delivered measurable results for patient care and financial performance.

In this episode, Carey Ketelsen, President of Virtix Health, joins Becker’s Healthcare to discuss how payers are navigating and accelerating value-based care (VBC) strategies in 2025. From increasing revenue projections to the role of AI and data analytics, Carey shares insights into the opportunities and challenges shaping payer-provider collaboration. Tune in to explore how health plans can alig...

Chris Gay, CEO of Evry Health, joins the podcast to discuss how his organization is enhancing the patient experience and advancing population health. He explores how innovative technology is being used to address persistent challenges in the payer space and improve health outcomes. Gay also shares insights into building a more efficient, patient-centered healthcare system through digital transform...

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Doug Henry, Enterprise Medical Director of Behavioral Health, Highmark Health. Dr. Henry shares how Highmark is improving access, outcomes, and satisfaction through strategic partnerships, data-driven innovation, and value-based care models that prioritize mental health as a pillar of total health.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Illan Shapiro Strygler, Chief Health Correspondent and Medical Affairs Officer and Senior Vice President, AltaMed Health Services. Dr. Shapiro shares how AltaMed leverages data, cultural understanding, and community connection to improve care quality, reduce costs, and advance health equity.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Kourtney Witten, Area Vice President Network Managing Partner Wisconsin, Advocate Health. Witten discusses how her organization is leveraging data, technology, and relationship-based care to reduce costs, close care gaps, and deliver high-quality, patient-centered outcomes across diverse populations.

In this episode, Becker's Healthcare speaks with Jim Blondin, Senior Director of Digital Product Strategy at Accredo Specialty Pharmacy, about the strategic benefits of integrating specialty pharmacy into EHR workflows. The discussion explores how this integration can reduce workflow friction, improve care coordination, and enhance both patient and provider experiences. Tune in for insights releva...