Community Connected Health

In this episode of Community Connected Health, hosts Skip Lowe and Colton Storla of North Risk Partners speak with Scott Argie, VP of Strategy and Network Development at the OrthoForum Value Network. Scott explains how over 160 independent orthopedic groups united to form the largest independent orthopedic network in the U.S., addressing rising healthcare costs and insurance complexities. The disc...

In this episode of Community Connected Health, hosts Skip Lowe and Colton Storla welcome Zach Schmit and Chad Charkowski from Covenant Workplace Solutions to discuss Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). The guests explore how EAPs have evolved from minimal, underutilized benefits into comprehensive mental health and wellness resources. They address the growing demand for mental health support, str...

In this episode of Community Connected Health, hosts Skip Lowe and Colton Storla welcome Matt Ohrt, Executive Director of the Free Market Medical Association (FMMA) and former HR leader. Matt shares his journey transforming employee health benefits at Merrill Steel by implementing Direct Primary Care, self-funding strategies, and bundled pricing models. He emphasizes the importance of replacing tr...

In this episode of "Community Connected Health," host Skip Lowe is joined by Colton Storla and Rich Green, CEO of Des Moines Orthopedic Surgeons (DMOS). The discussion explores innovative, cost-effective orthopedic care models, including urgent injury clinics and ambulatory surgery centers, and the importance of employer-sponsored health plans. The hosts and guests highlight the value of transpare...

In this episode of "Community Connected Health," hosts Skip Lowe and Colton Storla interview Dave Chase, co-founder of Health Rosetta. They discuss the systemic flaws in U.S. healthcare, focusing on how traditional health plans drive up costs and reduce value for employers and employees. Dave shares Health Rosetta’s mission to create transparent, affordable, and high-quality health plans, highligh...

In this episode of "Community Connected Health," hosts Colton Storla and Skip Lowe discuss the escalating costs and complexities of health insurance for employers. They highlight the limitations of fully insured plans, the growing appeal of self-funded and level-funded options, and the importance of transparency, data access, and customization. Drawing on personal experiences and industry insights...

In this episode, hosts Skip Lowe and Colton Storla of Community Connected Health interview Amy Wadstrom, President of Vivid Clear Rx, a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM). They discuss the challenges of traditional PBMs, including lack of transparency, spread pricing, and poor pharmacy reimbursement. Amy shares how Vivid Clear Rx, created by Hy-Vee, offers a transparent, pass-through PBM model focused...

In this episode of "Community Connected Health," hosts Skip Lowe and Colton Storla discuss innovative, employer-sponsored health plans that prioritize transparency, direct primary care (DPC), and the elimination of unnecessary middlemen like PBMs and traditional carriers. Through case studies from healthcare, public sector, and manufacturing employers, they illustrate how custom plans—featuring in...

In this episode, Skip Lowe and Colton Storla of North Risk Partners interview Dr. Jon Van Der Veer, DO, founder of Hy-Vee Health Exemplar Care, to discuss the benefits of direct primary care (DPC). They explore how DPC’s membership model improves patient access, transparency, and preventive care, while reducing costs and administrative burdens for employers. The conversation highlights real-world...

In the inaugural episode of "Community Connected Health," health insurance professionals Skip Lowe and Colton Storla introduce their backgrounds and discuss the challenges facing today’s healthcare system. They highlight the financial burdens on families and employers, the limitations of traditional insurance, and the growing appeal of direct primary care (DPC) models. Emphasizing collaboration am...

Welcome to Community Connected Health, the podcast where we explore how employers, healthcare innovators, and advisors are transforming the way healthcare is delivered — right in their own communities. This podcast is hosted by Skip Lowe and Colton Storla of North Risk Partners. Together, they're purposeful about helping businesses take control of their healthcare spend while improving the well-be...