The EOB Podcast

Justin Leader and Julie Selesnick
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Medicine
  • Every two weeks

Healthcare benefits are broken. Confusing by design. Buried in fine print. Protected by jargon. The EOB Podcast (Explanation of Benefits) exists to rip the curtain back. Hosted by Justin Leader, founder of BenefitsDNA — a known disruptor in the healthcare benefits industry, alongside Julie Selesnick, Director, Legal & Compliance at Judi Group and Founder & Principal Attorney at Health Plan Legal Counsel, a non-conflicted resource for fiduciaries sound benefit choices. This podcast breaks down what’s really happening inside health plans, contracts, and EOBs… in plain English. This isn’t theory. This isn’t recycled talking points. And this definitely isn’t fluff. Each episode dives into topics like: What your EOB actually says (and what it doesn’t) Fiduciary responsibility & plan sponsor accountability Contract language, negotiations, and hidden incentives Why benefits cost what they cost — and how to fix it Real-world wins, failures, and lessons learned from the front lines The goal is simple: make healthcare benefits understandable, actionable, and harder to hide behind complexity. Along the way, Justin and Julie bring in “Friends with Benefits” — industry insiders, legal experts, and operators who are actively challenging the status quo and building smarter, more cost-effective benefit plans. If you’re tired of lip service… If you believe benefits don’t have to be this complicated… If you want real education you can actually use… Welcome to The EOB Podcast — where we keep it real, challenge the system, and explain benefits the way they should be explained.

  1. 8 hr ago

    Karen Handorf, J.D. | Should Health Insurance Even Be Tied to Your Job?

    On this episode of The EOB Podcast: Friends with Benefits, Justin Leader and Julie Selesnick welcome Karen Handorf, J.D., Professor of Practice at Georgetown University's Center on Health Insurance Reforms—and someone Julie proudly calls a friend and mentor. Karen brings decades of experience to the conversation, including 25 years at the U.S. Department of Labor and work in ERISA and healthcare litigation. The conversation centers around a Senate Finance Committee Request for Information examining the employer-sponsored healthcare market, and quickly opens the door to some much bigger questions. Why are employers expected to act as healthcare fiduciaries when they may not have meaningful visibility into where their money is going? Should TPAs and other service providers have greater fiduciary responsibilities? Are existing transparency laws enough if nobody effectively enforces them? And is the employer-sponsored health insurance system itself due for a rethink? Justin, Julie, and Karen dig into: Employer access to claims, pricing, and healthcare spending data TPA and PBM accountability Fiduciary responsibility under ERISA Why enforcement matters just as much as legislation Provider contracts and healthcare networks ERISA preemption and state-level reform Direct contracting The rising cost of employer-sponsored healthcare Whether health insurance should be tied to employment at all Why employers and industry professionals need to make their voices heard One of the central contradictions discussed in the episode: employers can have fiduciary obligations to manage healthcare spending while simultaneously struggling to obtain the information necessary to understand that spending. And with roughly 160 million Americans receiving health coverage through an employer, these aren't questions that only matter to benefits professionals. 🎙️ Friends with Benefits is a series from The EOB Podcast featuring the people challenging conventional thinking and working toward a better healthcare system. Follow for more conversations about healthcare, employee benefits, fiduciary responsibility, transparency, and the forces shaping what employers and employees pay for care.

  2. 25 Aug

    What the Heck Is an EOB? Health Insurance Is Confusing. So We Brought Puppets. | The EOB Podcast

    🎭 We brought puppets to The EOB Podcast. Yes, seriously. Justin Leader and Julie Selesnick are back for a special duo episode, and this time they're finally tackling the question at the center of the entire podcast: What the heck is an EOB? An Explanation of Benefits is supposed to explain what happened after your health plan processes a claim. There's just one small problem... sometimes you need an explanation for the explanation. So naturally, Justin and Julie decided the best way to demonstrate that was with Puppet Show Theater. Meet Ella the Employee, Client-Facing Carl, and Dr. Big Bill as they attempt to make sense of billed charges, network discounts, allowed amounts, deductibles, coinsurance, patient responsibility, denial codes and, of course, the infamous phrase: “THIS IS NOT A BILL.” After the puppets put the absurdity into perspective, Justin and Julie get into what you actually need to know when an EOB lands in your mailbox or member portal. This episode covers: 🎭 The debut of Puppet Show Theater 📄 What an Explanation of Benefits actually is 🚫 Why an EOB is not a bill 💰 Billed charges vs. discounts vs. allowed amounts 🧐 What you should actually check on your EOB 🔢 Why healthcare loves confusing reason codes ⚠️ How errors can make their way onto medical bills and claims 🧾 When you should request an itemized bill 🔎 Why you shouldn't automatically assume everything was processed correctly 📣 What to do when a claim is denied and why appeal deadlines matter Justin even shares a real example of reviewing an EOB for someone who appeared to have been charged for services they didn't receive — a reminder that actually reading these documents can matter. And if you've ever looked at an EOB and thought, “I have absolutely no idea what any of this means,” you're in good company. Even Justin admits that despite reading them professionally, he still sometimes has trouble figuring them out. 🎙️ Welcome to The EOB Podcast, where we're finally explaining the EOB. And let us know what really matters: Should Puppet Show Theater become a recurring segment? 👀 Follow us for more fun and health insurance information breakdowns.

  3. 11 Aug

    On The Road Live at RosettaFest 2026 - The EOB Podcast Friends with Benefits Special

    🎙️ The EOB Podcast is Officially On The Road at RosettaFest 2026! Justin Leader and Julie Selesnick take the show to Nashville for a special live edition of The EOB Podcast, recorded from RosettaFest at the Gaylord Opryland. Throughout the event, Justin and Julie sit down with four Friends with Benefits who aren't just talking about changing employer-sponsored healthcare—they're actively doing the work. 🎤 Dawn Cornelis — Director of Financial Integrity at Health Rosetta 🎤 Patrick Moore — Master Sergeant Marine Corps Veteran, Co-Founder of Pretekt, and Founder of Moore Benefits Resources 🎤 Cristin Dickerson, MD, Certified Health Value Advisor — Founder of Green Imaging 🎤 Kristine Scheer, SHRM-SCP — Founder of K2 Strategic and Employee Benefits Expert 📊 Dawn Cornelis kicks things off with a deep conversation around payment and data integrity. Dawn shares the personal motivation behind more than three decades of work auditing healthcare claims and discusses how better technology and data analysis can help employers identify overpayments, problematic contract terms, fiduciary risks, and other issues hiding inside their health plans. 💡 Patrick Moore breaks down ICHRA and why employers and benefits advisors should start paying attention. From defined contribution healthcare to the individual insurance market, Patrick explains where ICHRA fits alongside fully insured and self-funded plans—and why Justin says BenefitsDNA now evaluates it during every renewal. 🏥 Dr. Cristin Dickerson shares the story behind Green Imaging and how a simple question about the outrageous cost of an MRI grew into a nationwide imaging solution. The conversation covers direct contracting, healthcare affordability, member incentives, imaging quality, and challenging the industry's assumptions about what can and can't be done. 🤝 Kristine Scheer joins Justin and Julie for a conversation about fiduciary responsibility, collaboration, community, and the importance of setting ego aside. They discuss why meaningful change requires people who are willing to share knowledge, pick up the phone, make connections, and help each other move forward. Her takeaway says it best: “The only way out is through.” Across four very different conversations, one theme keeps showing up: meaningful healthcare change requires more than ideas. It requires people willing to take action. In this RosettaFest special: 🔹 Payment integrity & healthcare data 🔹 ICHRA and defined contribution healthcare 🔹 Fiduciary responsibility 🔹 Direct contracting 🔹 Affordable medical imaging 🔹 Employer health plan strategy 🔹 Healthcare transparency & accountability 🔹 Collaboration, community & action leadership Plus, it's EOB On The Road, so expect plenty of the usual Justin and Julie humor, conference chaos, Nashville adventures, and Friends with Benefits energy along the way. 📍 Recorded live from RosettaFest 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. ▶️ Follow The EOB Podcast for more conversations challenging conventional thinking in employee benefits and employer-sponsored healthcare.

  4. 28 Jul

    AI Is Here. Hospital Networks Are Shifting. What's Next for Employers?

    Artificial intelligence is changing the way businesses operate. Hospital networks are battling over reimbursement rates. Healthcare policy continues to evolve. So what does all of this mean for employers sponsoring health plans? In this episode of The EOB Podcast, Justin Leader and Julie Selesnick break down some of the biggest headlines impacting employer-sponsored healthcare today. They discuss why hospitals and insurance carriers end up in network disputes, how employers can turn those disruptions into opportunities through direct contracting, and why rural hospitals face unique financial challenges. They also dive into the rapid rise of AI, sharing practical advice for employers, consultants, and healthcare professionals on using artificial intelligence responsibly while protecting sensitive data. Whether you're an employer, HR leader, broker, consultant, or simply interested in the future of healthcare, this episode offers practical insights and actionable strategies you can apply today. In this episode: • Hospital network disputes and what they mean for employers • Direct contracting opportunities during network disruptions • Challenges facing rural hospitals • AI best practices for healthcare and employee benefits • HIPAA, data privacy, and AI security • Why AI should be your assistant—not your replacement • Current healthcare policy updates • Action leadership vs. thought leadership 👍 Like this video if you found it helpful. 💬 Leave us a comment with your thoughts. 🔔 Follow us for more conversations on employer-sponsored healthcare, benefits, compliance, and healthcare policy.

  5. 14 Jul

    Who Watches the Watchers? The Hidden Problem in Employer Healthcare with special guest Darren Fogarty

    What does it take to make employer-sponsored healthcare actually work? In this Friends with Benefits episode, Justin Leader and Julie Selesnick welcome Darren Fogarty, Associate Director of Purchaser Value and Policy at Purchaser Business Group on Health (PBGH). The conversation covers fiduciary responsibility, ERISA, healthcare transparency, compensation disclosures, access to claims data, and why meaningful reform requires more than just new legislation—it requires employers to become informed purchasers. Whether you're an employer, consultant, attorney, or healthcare professional, this episode provides valuable insights into where employer-sponsored healthcare is headed and what organizations can do today to better serve their employees.

  6. 30 Jun

    Financial Domination, Prohibited Transactions & The Future of Employee Benefits

    In this episode of The EOB Podcast, Justin and Julie break down one of the biggest developments in the employee benefits industry: the growing wave of litigation surrounding voluntary benefits, excessive compensation, and fiduciary responsibility. With a fifth lawsuit now filed against a major employer and consulting firm, the conversation explores what these cases mean for brokers, employers, and anyone responsible for managing employee benefit plans. The discussion dives into ERISA safe harbors, prohibited transactions, compensation disclosures, and why transparency is quickly becoming one of the most important responsibilities in healthcare benefits. Topics include: 🔹 The latest voluntary benefits lawsuits and what they allege 🔹 Why ERISA safe harbor protection is harder to achieve than many believe 🔹 Prohibited transactions and hidden compensation risks 🔹 What employers should expect from their advisors and vendors 🔹 The future of compensation disclosures under CAA 2026 🔹 The growing importance of fiduciary liability insurance 🔹 The Northwestern "financial domination" case and its potential impact on health plan design 🔹 Best practices for transparency, prudence, and fiduciary governance Justin and Julie also share real-world stories from the industry, explain how hidden commissions continue to surface, and discuss why employers should treat healthcare purchasing like every other major business decision: ask questions, demand transparency, and know exactly what you're paying for. If you're an employer, broker, benefits consultant, HR leader, or healthcare fiduciary, this episode is packed with practical guidance on navigating an increasingly complex regulatory and litigation landscape. 🎙️ Subscribe to The EOB Podcast for honest conversations about healthcare benefits, ERISA, fiduciary responsibility, transparency, and the future of employee-sponsored healthcare.

  7. 16 Jun

    Jessica Brooks Woods | Trust, AI, Collaboration & The Future of Healthcare

    In this special Friends with Benefits episode of The EOB Podcast, Justin and Julie sit down with Jessica Brooks Woods, healthcare leader, executive, and Founder of the newly launched Health Intelligence Network (HIN). This episode was filmed April 16, 2026. Jessica has spent her career bringing together employers, policymakers, consultants, innovators, and healthcare leaders to tackle some of the industry's biggest challenges. In this conversation, she shares the personal experiences that shaped her mission, why collaboration is the key to meaningful healthcare transformation, and how AI may fundamentally change the way we solve healthcare's most complex problems. The discussion covers: 🔹 The story behind launching Health Intelligence Network (HIN) 🔹 Why healthcare doesn't have an information problem—it has a cohesion problem 🔹 Trust as healthcare's biggest challenge 🔹 AI's role in the future of healthcare and benefits consulting 🔹 Why collaboration beats competition when solving healthcare problems 🔹 The power of employer coalitions and collective action 🔹 Healthcare innovation, transparency, and leadership 🔹 Building businesses that create impact while remaining profitable One of the most memorable takeaways: "We're not lacking information. We're lacking cohesion." Whether you're an employer, benefits professional, consultant, healthcare executive, entrepreneur, or simply interested in the future of healthcare, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on leadership, innovation, and creating meaningful change. 🎙️ Subscribe to The EOB Podcast for conversations that pull back the curtain on healthcare benefits, costs, transparency, and the future of healthcare.

  8. 2 Jun

    The PBM Industry Is Cracking: FTC Settlements, New Rules & Fiduciary Risk

    This episode was filmed on March 19, 2026. The healthcare benefits industry is changing faster than it has in years... In this episode of The EOB Podcast, Justin and Julie break down the growing pressure facing Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), including the FTC settlement involving Express Scripts, new Department of Labor transparency proposals, the impact of CAA 2026, and emerging fiduciary litigation that could reshape the healthcare benefits landscape. Topics include: • FTC action against PBMs and what it means for employers • Spread pricing, rebate retention, and hidden compensation • The proposed DOL PBM transparency rule • Why fiduciary responsibility is becoming impossible to ignore • Direct contracting and the future of employer-sponsored healthcare • The role of transparency in reducing healthcare costs • What employers should be doing right now to protect their plans Justin and Julie also discuss why healthcare affordability has become a bipartisan issue, how employers can gain leverage during contract negotiations, and why simply accepting the status quo is no longer a viable strategy. If you're an employer, HR leader, CFO, advisor, benefits professional, or healthcare industry stakeholder, this episode is packed with practical insights on where the market is heading next. Because one thing is becoming increasingly clear: The healthcare industry is changing, and employers need to be ready.

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About

Healthcare benefits are broken. Confusing by design. Buried in fine print. Protected by jargon. The EOB Podcast (Explanation of Benefits) exists to rip the curtain back. Hosted by Justin Leader, founder of BenefitsDNA — a known disruptor in the healthcare benefits industry, alongside Julie Selesnick, Director, Legal & Compliance at Judi Group and Founder & Principal Attorney at Health Plan Legal Counsel, a non-conflicted resource for fiduciaries sound benefit choices. This podcast breaks down what’s really happening inside health plans, contracts, and EOBs… in plain English. This isn’t theory. This isn’t recycled talking points. And this definitely isn’t fluff. Each episode dives into topics like: What your EOB actually says (and what it doesn’t) Fiduciary responsibility & plan sponsor accountability Contract language, negotiations, and hidden incentives Why benefits cost what they cost — and how to fix it Real-world wins, failures, and lessons learned from the front lines The goal is simple: make healthcare benefits understandable, actionable, and harder to hide behind complexity. Along the way, Justin and Julie bring in “Friends with Benefits” — industry insiders, legal experts, and operators who are actively challenging the status quo and building smarter, more cost-effective benefit plans. If you’re tired of lip service… If you believe benefits don’t have to be this complicated… If you want real education you can actually use… Welcome to The EOB Podcast — where we keep it real, challenge the system, and explain benefits the way they should be explained.

Information

  • Creator
    Justin Leader and Julie Selesnick
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The EOB Podcast
  • Provider

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