Self-Funded With Spencer

Spencer Smith

Self-funded with Spencer shares inspiring conversations with the most successful and influential people in healthcare - company founders, CEOs, entrepreneurs, doctors, sales leaders, and more - to help educate and inspire YOU to become the best version of yourself.

  1. How Health Insurance Was Broken Over The Last 40 Years | with John Rutledge

    3 DAYS AGO

    How Health Insurance Was Broken Over The Last 40 Years | with John Rutledge

    "The biggest shift was the consolidation that happened with the insurance carriers themselves. From 25 or more carriers to just four national carriers." - John Rutledge How did health insurance get so broken? My guest this week, 40-year industry veteran John Rutledge of Marsh McLennan Agency, joins the show to walk us through the last 40 years of decisions that led us to the consolidated, expensive, and frustrating market we have today. John explains how the market went from over 25 competing carriers to just four national players. We discuss how the rise of carrier-owned PPOs squeezed out competition, and how the ACA later standardized coverage, locking employers into the "Buca box" with painfully limited options. But this isn't just a history lesson. We also discuss the solution that has emerged from the ashes of the old system: the explosion of self-funding and alternative risk models like captives that empower employers to finally break free. Tune in for a masterclass on how health insurance was broken, and more importantly, how we can start to fix it. Chapters: (00:00:00) How Health Insurance Was Broken Over The Last 40 Years  (00:05:01) Why Self-Funding Has Exploded Since the ACA  (00:09:58) How We Went From 25+ Carriers to Just 4  (00:12:56) The "Buca Box": Trapped with No Options  (00:31:04) The Rise of Captives as an Alternative  (00:40:31) Why Engaged Employers Win in a Captive  (01:00:56) A Call to Action for Employers & Advisors Key Links for Social: @SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFunded Listen/watch on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02 Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286 Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/ Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/

    1h 6m
  2. How Better Beef Can Solve America's Health Crisis 

    7 OCT

    How Better Beef Can Solve America's Health Crisis 

    "Eat your food as medicine or medicine will become your food." - Chef Austin Simmons Can better beef solve America's health crisis? My guests this week, Chef Austin Simmons of Chef and Rancher and benefits/nutrition expert Chris Pierron, believe it's a critical part of the solution. They join the show to discuss the deep connection between cattle genetics, our broken food system, and our exploding healthcare costs. Chef Austin explains his "hoof to fork" model for creating "better beef." We discuss how using purebred, genetically-verified cattle and clean feeding practices, free of the seed oils and used fryer oil common in the commercial industry, produces a more nutrient-dense and flavorful product. This isn't just about a better steak; it's about creating a healthier population from the ground up. We explore how fixing the food system is the most important step to lowering healthcare costs, and why consumer education is the key to driving this change. Tune in today for a conversation that will change the way you think about the beef on your plate. Chapters: (00:00:00) How Better Beef Can Solve America's Health Crisis  (00:05:18) The Hidden Additives & "Poisons" in Most Beef (00:19:38) Why is Prime Beef So Inconsistent?  (00:20:58) The Power of Cattle Genetics  (00:37:47) Is There Used Fryer Oil In Your Steak?  (00:54:22) Should We Federally Subsidize Beef? (01:02:09) Why Food Education is the First Step  (01:13:26) Fixing the Food System to Fix Healthcare Key Links for Social: @SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFunded Listen/watch on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02 Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286 Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/ Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/

    1h 27m
  3. High Healthcare Deductibles Are A Failed Experiment

    30 SEPT

    High Healthcare Deductibles Are A Failed Experiment

    "If we can remove the cost barrier, folks are going to engage more because it's not standing in the way of going to get the care that they need or even preventive care." - Trey Smith High healthcare deductibles were sold to employers as a way to create better "consumers" of healthcare. My guest this week, Trey Smith of Hub International, argues that they've been a failed experiment that has done more harm than good. Instead of creating smarter shoppers, high deductibles have become a massive barrier to care, causing employees to delay or avoid necessary treatment altogether. In this episode, Trey breaks down the alternative: first dollar coverage.  We discuss how innovative plan designs with zero deductibles can actually lower an employer's overall claim spend over time by encouraging early intervention and proactive care. He shares data showing that while utilization spikes initially, long-term costs come down significantly as members get the care they need when they need it. This conversation is a perfect example of why the benefits consultant's role is shifting from simply brokering insurance to designing strategic solutions that solve real problems for employees and employers. I hope you'll tune in! Chapters: (00:00:00) High Healthcare Deductibles Are A Failed Experiment  (00:26:16) The Risk of Innovation vs. The Risk of the Status Quo   (00:29:59) The Problem: High Deductibles as a Barrier to Care  (00:34:10) The Solution: "First Dollar" Coverage  (00:38:22) Simplifying the Healthcare Experience  (00:52:17) How Data is Making New Plan Designs Possible Key Links for Social: @SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFunded Listen/watch on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02 Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286 Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/ Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/

    1h 18m
  4. Making Healthcare More Human...Using AI | with Amanda Volner

    23 SEPT

    Making Healthcare More Human...Using AI | with Amanda Volner

    "I can look for something on Amazon and have it shipped to my door tomorrow... so why wouldn't employees want a similar experience with their healthcare?" - Amanda Volner Can artificial intelligence actually make healthcare feel more human? Amanda Volner, AVP of Broker Partnerships at Healthee, joins the show for a deep dive into the real role of AI in the benefits industry. We discuss how artificial intelligence is a powerful tool to augment our abilities, but why uniquely human skills like critical thinking, building relationships, and understanding "the question behind the question" are more valuable than ever. Amanda breaks down how Healthee is using AI to create "hyper-personalized" healthcare experiences for members, from navigating benefits to finding cost-effective pharmacy solutions. We explore how modern engagement platforms are essential for communicating with a decentralized workforce and how AI can be trained to match your own voice and tone. The conversation also explores the human side of a demanding career, from the challenges of being a single mother in this industry to navigating sobriety in professional settings. Tune in for a fascinating look at the intersection of AI, healthcare, and what it truly means to be human in our industry. Chapters: (00:00:00) Making Healthcare More Human...Using AI  (00:01:09) The One Thing AI Still Can't Do  (00:04:36) Understanding "The Question Behind the Question"  (00:26:02) The Future of "Hyper-Personalized" Healthcare  (00:37:07) Using AI to Lower Prescription Costs  (00:50:12) Balancing a Demanding Career and Family  (01:02:32) Navigating Sobriety in the Benefits World Key Links for Social: @SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFunded Listen/watch on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02 Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286 Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/ Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/

    1h 9m
  5. The End of Confusing Health Benefits | with Matt Scovil & Nathan Gilchrist

    16 SEPT

    The End of Confusing Health Benefits | with Matt Scovil & Nathan Gilchrist

    "Good entrepreneurs fall in love with their solution and their platform, but great entrepreneurs fall in love with the problem." - Matt Scovil Matt Scovil and Nathan Gilchrist of Medefy Health, have fallen in love with one of the biggest problems in benefits: nobody wants to engage with them. They joined the show to discuss their journey of building a platform designed to solve the engagement crisis and simplify the healthcare experience for everyone. Matt and Nathan break down their "bottoms-up" approach to this problem, which focuses on engaging members when they need help through a high-touch, live support model delivered via mobile app. We discuss how they use the psychology of "loss aversion" and constant communication to drive engagement rates over 90%. We also explore how Medefy acts as the "quarterback" for a health plan, removing friction by navigating members to the right solutions. This is all part of their vision for the future of healthcare, where the experience is "heavily, heavily individualized" for each person. Chapters: (00:00:00) Why Employees Would Rather Clean a Toilet Than Use Their Benefits  (00:04:18) Cleaning a Toilet vs. Learning Your Benefits  (00:08:46) Falling in Love with the Problem, Not the Solution  (00:14:23) The Power of Live, Human Support  (00:19:08) Using "Loss Aversion" to Drive Engagement  (00:34:54) The Quarterback for Your Health Plan  (00:47:57) How AI is Augmenting the Human Touch  (01:00:01) The Future of Healthcare is "Individualized" Key Links for Social: @SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFunded Listen/watch on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02 Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286 Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/ Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/

    1h 9m
  6. Tuning Into The Frequency Of Excellence | with Scott Millson

    9 SEPT

    Tuning Into The Frequency Of Excellence | with Scott Millson

    "I think the three strongest words that you can use as a leader, as a salesperson, as a client relationship person is I don't know." - Scott Milson My guest this week, 35-year industry veteran and author Scott Milson, joins the show for a deep dive into the mindset required for a long and successful career. We discuss his journey from a self-described "career B student" to a partner at a major firm, and the lessons he learned about loyalty, hard work, and what it truly means to be excellent. Scott breaks down his personal playbook for "tuning into the frequency of excellence." He shares his "Be 5 Framework" (Be Present, Curious, Intentional, Bold, and Reflective) and explains why embracing discomfort, adopting a growth mindset, and learning through informal mentorship are crucial for professional growth. It’s worth noting that Scott is also professionally in the benefits industry, so I wanted to have him on the show to directly speak to those in this space. I hope you'll tune in for this insightful conversation! Chapters: (00:00:00) Tuning Into The Frequency Of Excellence  (00:20:08) Why Discomfort is the Path to Growth  (00:21:56) The 3 Words That Defeat Imposter Syndrome  (00:27:52) The "Success to Significance" Curve  (00:38:42) The “Be 5” Framework for Excellence  (00:40:52) The Myth of Formal Mentorship  (00:48:25) "How You Do Anything is How You Do Everything" Key Links for Social: @SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFunded Listen/watch on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02 Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286 Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/ Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/

    1h 2m
  7. Fixing Healthcare's 528 Billion Dollar Mistake | with Chris Grilli

    3 SEPT

    Fixing Healthcare's 528 Billion Dollar Mistake | with Chris Grilli

    "We spend about $528 billion a year fixing the mistakes we make with medicines." - Chris Grilli Fixing healthcare's $528 billion dollar mistake starts with ending the "trial-and-error" prescribing that plagues our system. My guest this week, pharmacist and genomics expert Chris Grilli of RxMapper, joined the show to explain how personalized, DNA-guided medicine is the key to solving this massive problem. Chris breaks down the RxMapper model, explaining how they analyze 36 million data points from a patient's genome to provide medication recommendations with nearly 90% accuracy. We discuss the crucial difference between genetics and genomics, and how this approach saves thousands of dollars per patient while dramatically improving outcomes. The mission to fix this problem is also a personal one. Chris shared the story of how his grandmother's preventable death from an adverse drug event became the inspiration for building RxMapper to ensure other families don't suffer the same fate. Tune in this week for the playbook on fixing one healthcare's most expensive mistakes. Chapters: (00:00:00) Fixing Healthcare's $528 Billion Dollar Mistake  (00:02:12) The $528 Billion Cost of Medication Errors  (00:04:43) Genetics vs. Genomics: What's the Difference?  (00:10:29) Are Doctors Prescribing "Poison?"  (00:14:18) The Personal Story Behind RxMapper  (00:27:17) Saving Over $8,600 Per Patient  (00:41:24) How Your DNA Impacts Ozempic's Effectiveness Key Links for Social: @SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFunded Listen/watch on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02 Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286 Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/ Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/

    59 min
  8. Lessons In Healthcare And Life, with Todd Whitthorne

    26 AUG

    Lessons In Healthcare And Life, with Todd Whitthorne

    "There's a big difference for me in living and being alive. There's a difference between breathing and truly experiencing life." - Todd Whitthorne My guest this week Todd Whitthorne joined me for a conversation that goes far beyond the balance sheet to explore the true meaning of well-being. We discuss why a leader's personal health is the foundational, non-negotiable asset for their professional success. Todd breaks down the crucial role leaders play in building trust and creating a "culture of health" that yields a real financial, clinical, and cultural ROI. We explore the five pillars of well-being (fitness, nutrition, sleep, stress, and prevention), the difference between "lifespan" and "healthspan," and why investing in yourself is the least selfish thing a leader can do. The episode concludes with the incredible true story of Todd's 70-year-old friend who survived being hit and run over by a drunk driver, which is a powerful testament to how a lifelong commitment to fitness creates true resilience. I hope you’ll tune in for this inspirational conversation! Chapters: (00:00:00) Lessons in Health & Leadership  (00:06:11) Why Trust is a Leader's Most Important Asset  (00:14:14) The Difference Between Lifespan and Healthspan  (00:17:06) Why Investing in Yourself Isn't Selfish  (00:48:59) The Pursuit of True Happiness  (01:05:49) The 70-Year-Old Who Survived And Thrived After a Hit-and-Run Key Links for Social: @SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFunded Listen/watch on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02 Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286 Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/ Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/

    1h 14m
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About

Self-funded with Spencer shares inspiring conversations with the most successful and influential people in healthcare - company founders, CEOs, entrepreneurs, doctors, sales leaders, and more - to help educate and inspire YOU to become the best version of yourself.

Information

  • Creator
    Spencer Smith
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    241
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Spencer Smith
  • Show Website
    Self-Funded With Spencer

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