Becker’s Payer Issues Podcast

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...

In this episode, Joey Seliski of Allegheny Health Network and Pritee Subramany of Highmark Health discuss how consistent, accurate provider data is essential for improving care coordination, patient trust, and enabling AI-driven tools like virtual assistants and personalized provider recommendations. This episode is sponsored by Kyruus Health .

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Dr. Brian Smolich, Vice President, Health Alliance Quality and Managed Care Operations, Carle Health. Dr. Smolich shares how his organization is balancing cost and quality, leveraging biosimilars, digital engagement tools, and provider collaboration to improve member outcomes and transform the care experi...

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Brad Riley, Vice President, Analytics and Reporting, Longevity Health. Brad discusses how Longevity Health is leveraging predictive analytics, machine learning, and innovative provider partnerships to balance cost containment with high-quality care, while empowering staff with AI literacy for the future o...

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Paul Christopher Hiltz, President and CEO, NCH Healthcare System. Paul shares how a metrics-driven culture, strategic partnerships, and clinical excellence are guiding NCH’s efforts to improve care quality, reduce costs, and expand access through major initiatives like a new orthopedic hospital and heart...

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Louis DeStefano, Senior Vice President of Growth at Oscar Health. He shares how Oscar is leveraging personalized plan designs, technology-driven engagement, and the growing potential of ICHRAs to improve affordability, satisfaction, and outcomes in the individual insurance market.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Dr. Alex Ding, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Humana. Dr. Ding shares how Humana is bridging its payer and provider roles to advance health equity, enable clinicians, and drive value-based care transformation at scale, all while putting whole-person care and patient experience at the center.

This episode, recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable, features Sufian Chowdhury, Chief Executive Officer of Kinetik. Sufian discusses how Kinetik is transforming non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) through real-time data, interoperability, and plan-owned infrastructure to improve compliance, reduce fraud, and enhance member experience. This episode is spons...

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Lila Benayoun, Chief Operating Officer, MetroPlusHealth. She shares how the organization is combining predictive analytics, personalized outreach, and community-based services to proactively manage care, improve member satisfaction, and address social determinants of health across New York City.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 3rd Annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable features Mark Rich, Former President and current Board Member of Steward Health Care System LLC. Mark shares insights from the provider and ACO perspective on accelerating value-based care, aligning payer-provider collaboration, and leveraging actionable data to drive both affordability and improved outcomes.