14 episodes

Whether you are the benefits manager or CEO of your organization, one of the biggest drivers of organizational performance, that most get totally wrong, is the health and benefits strategy. We spend billions on benefits, yet healthcare is unaffordable and complicated. More than half of Americans don't even take their paid vacation, yet people are burning out faster than ever and remote work is scrambling company cultures.

It doesn't have to be this way! Great benefits can attract and retain top talent, communicate your values, rejuvenate your productivity, move your stock price, and even save lives.

Lee knows this because he advised and learned from many Fortune 100 employers on how to create wildly profitable and popular benefits programs that enhance all areas of the business. Lee created this podcast in the hopes that together we can save lives, save dollars, and save our talent.

Join us, each episode, on YouTube or your favorite podcasting platform for some great conversation with some of the world's leading experts in this space.

Broken Benefits Lee Lewis

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 13 Ratings

Whether you are the benefits manager or CEO of your organization, one of the biggest drivers of organizational performance, that most get totally wrong, is the health and benefits strategy. We spend billions on benefits, yet healthcare is unaffordable and complicated. More than half of Americans don't even take their paid vacation, yet people are burning out faster than ever and remote work is scrambling company cultures.

It doesn't have to be this way! Great benefits can attract and retain top talent, communicate your values, rejuvenate your productivity, move your stock price, and even save lives.

Lee knows this because he advised and learned from many Fortune 100 employers on how to create wildly profitable and popular benefits programs that enhance all areas of the business. Lee created this podcast in the hopes that together we can save lives, save dollars, and save our talent.

Join us, each episode, on YouTube or your favorite podcasting platform for some great conversation with some of the world's leading experts in this space.

    Embracing Scrutiny and Navigating Innovation (Feat: Pat Pitsch)

    Embracing Scrutiny and Navigating Innovation (Feat: Pat Pitsch)

    In this illuminating episode of Broken Benefits, we delve deep into the dynamic world of healthcare innovation with a true trailblazer, Pat Pitsch. As a distinguished Medical Benefits Expert, Pat brings a wealth of experience and insight to the table, offering a captivating narrative of her journey through the labyrinth of the healthcare industry.
    Join us as we explore the challenges and triumphs that have defined Pat's career, and how she has fearlessly tackled obstacles to drive innovation in her field. From navigating complex regulations to revolutionizing traditional practices, Pat's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and innovation in the face of adversity.
    Throughout our conversation, Pat shares invaluable lessons learned and strategies for thriving in an ever-evolving landscape. We explore the importance of embracing scrutiny as a catalyst for growth, and how it can fuel innovation by challenging the status quo. Drawing from her own experiences, Pat offers practical insights on harnessing feedback and criticism to drive meaningful change and propel the healthcare industry forward.
    Chapters:
    0:00 - Cold open
    1:05 - Welcoming Pat Pitsch to the show
    2:48 - Working as part of a Berkshire Hathaway company
    4:24 - Getting multiple employers to come together in a unified sense
    10:36 - How benefits leaders can get more involved and make a difference in their organization
    13:52 - What can be done to rally employers together
    20:48 - Paying too much in rebates throughout the year
    30:54 - How to educate a massive employee base who doesn't want to be educated
    34:51 - What years four and five look like after implementing changes
    41:13 - When diagnosis and surgeries don't align
    44:27 - A story of Pat fixing a big issue during her career
    47:18 - How to get in touch with Pat to learn more
    48:00 - Closing remarks

    Connect with Lee Lewis:
    LinkedIn

    • 48 min
    Leveraging Data and Maximizing Value for Employees (Feat: Candace Jodice)

    Leveraging Data and Maximizing Value for Employees (Feat: Candace Jodice)

    On the latest episode of Broken Benefits, we're thrilled to welcome a true expert at her craft. Candace Jodice, Former CVS Health Executive, brings over 20 years experience managing a health plan of over 300,000 people and expenditures in excess of $4 billion annually.
    We dive into the intricacies of managing benefits inside of a PBM, as well as the importance behind leveraging the data to generate the highest level of value for those inside a health plan.
    Enjoy!
    Chapters:
    0:00 - Cold open
    1:48 - Welcoming Candace Jodice to the show
    4:49 - How contracts are structured when you're essentially negotiating with yourself
    8:28 - How do you become an educated consumer of medical care
    13:19 - Being able to see new products and programs coming about before others
    21:28 - Dealing with a situation when 'everyone is an expert'
    27:42 - How Candace measured if her benefits were being appreciated or enjoyed
    32:17 - The importance of flexibility within your health plan
    40:11 - The market optimization strategy that Candace leveraged
    44:50 - Analyzing your data and drawing important details
    48:19 - Advice to a new benefits leader to make a quick impact
    52:20 - How to connect with Candace online
    53:00 - Closing remarks
    Connect with Lee Lewis:
    LinkedIn

    • 53 min
    Managing Billions and Redefining Healthcare Spend (Feat: Jason Parrott)

    Managing Billions and Redefining Healthcare Spend (Feat: Jason Parrott)

    On the latest installment of Broken Benefits, we're joined by an esteemed guest, Jason Parrott. With a wealth of experience as a Former Benefits Executive at both Boeing and AT&T, Jason provides unique perspectives and valuable insights into the complex world of healthcare management.
    Tune in as Jason delves into the challenges and triumphs of overseeing billions in healthcare spending, sharing stories from his dynamic career in two of the largest corporations in the world. From navigating the intricacies of employee benefits to implementing innovative solutions, Jason offers a behind-the-scenes look at the decisions that shape the well-being of thousands of individuals.
    Enjoy!
    Chapters:
    0:00 - Introduction and welcoming Jason to the show
    2:06 - The highlights and rewarding moments from Jason's career
    4:18 - Developing strategies around medical spend for each year
    6:43 - A culture of productivity and curbing spend
    8:25 - How Jason got started and learned how to play 'the numbers game' effectively
    13:50 - Focusing on costs instead of quality
    17:31 - How employers can work with today's system to demand higher quality for employees
    22:28 - Designing a brand-new health plan, so people didn't hate it
    27:09 - Examining the successes from other Fortune 50 companies
    32:06 - Advice for smaller employers
    39:41 - The three things you need to have in your medical RFP
    47:20 - The bottomline to improve the cost vs quality issue
    50:15 - Closing remarks

    Connect with Lee Lewis:
    LinkedIn

    • 51 min
    Going Against the Status Quo (Feat: Erik Sossa)

    Going Against the Status Quo (Feat: Erik Sossa)

    In this thought-provoking episode of Broken Benefits, we take a journey into the world of corporate healthcare innovation with a true trailblazer, Erik Sossa, the former Vice President of Global Benefits and Wellness at PepsiCo, Inc. Join us as we explore the remarkable initiatives he spearheaded during his tenure that defied the status quo and redefined what is possible in the realm of employee wellness and healthcare.
    Erik Sossa's impressive career at PepsiCo was marked by a relentless pursuit of groundbreaking solutions for the company's healthcare and benefits programs. With a reputation for pushing boundaries and challenging conventions, he led the charge to create a healthier, more engaged, and productive workforce.
    Get your notepad ready because this episode is packed with helpful takeaways for your own benefits team!
    Timecodes:
    0:04 - "I never followed protocols"
    0:30 - Background information on Erik Sossa
    1:20 - Welcoming Erik Sossa to the show
    2:02 - Testing new concepts in healthcare
    3:53 - The big ideas Erik was able to test during his time at PepsiCo
    13:01 - Creating an ROI preemptively within your RFP
    17:23 - Stepping into the unknown as a benefits manager
    25:12 - How to handle change or disruption on a large scale
    32:21 - Consumerism became an easy way out for employers
    37:00 - The biggest wins of Erik's career
    43:21 - Carriers continue to trip over themselves trying to figure out Erik's solution
    49:50 - How to get in touch with Erik to learn more and connect
    51:00 - Closing remarks

    Connect with Lee Lewis:
    LinkedIn

    • 51 min
    Paving the Way for Strategic Benefits (Feat: Sally Welborn)

    Paving the Way for Strategic Benefits (Feat: Sally Welborn)

    Advanced healthcare benefits strategies didn't just happen overnight. They were created, enhanced, and innovated over time thanks to the efforts of some key individuals. One of those people, is Sally Welborn.
    On the latest episode of Broken Benefits, we're thrilled to welcome Sally Welborn, the Former Senior Vice President of Global Benefits for Walmart Stores, Inc., and hear numerous stories that provide benefits leaders with insight into developing strategic benefits strategies at the highest of levels!
    Sally is an institution in American healthcare, in running the benefits strategy for America's largest retailer for nearly a decade! This episode is packed with nuggets of insight and stories from Sally's decorated career in benefits. Enjoy!
    Timecodes:
    0:15 - Introduction and overview on the guest of today's show
    1:39 - How Sally approaches healthcare problems different than most
    4:25 - If Sally could steer the whole industry in one direction...
    7:02 - How to know which benefits strategy to use?
    13:40 - Sally's process for identifying trends in healthcare
    20:50 - The biggest opportunities that Sally is excited about these days
    24:46 - Is an innovation really an innovation if it's impossibly unaffordable?
    31:40 - How to run small tests as a large employer
    36:32 - How Sally would sell new programs internally
    40:20 - Getting leaders to be comfortable with "taking risk"
    43:50 - How to connect with Sally
    44:40 - Closing remarks
    Connect with Lee Lewis:
    LinkedIn

    • 44 min
    Approaching Healthcare From a Different Angle (Feat: Bob Galvin)

    Approaching Healthcare From a Different Angle (Feat: Bob Galvin)

    Dr. Bob Galvin looks at healthcare through a unique lens. After graduating medical school, he later became the Executive Director of Services and Chief Medical Officer for General Electric. Later, in 2010, he transitioned over to Blackstone and became the CEO of Equity Healthcare for Blackstone.
    As a physician, Bob was able to provide a special perspective into the healthcare and medical solutions that were presented to self-funded employers. Bob's medical expertise, alongside his countless years of experience in healthcare benefits, provides our audience with a wide range of stories and key takeaways to help reinforce your company's benefits strategy.
    Enjoy!
    Timecodes:
    0:03 - Self-funded employers are handling their own risk
    0:33 - Who is Dr. Bob Galvin?
    1:30 - Bob's big realization in the healthcare industry
    4:00 - Self-funded employers are essentially their own insurance company
    8:09 - How many stakeholders are misaligned against employers
    15:36 - Fixing misaligned incentives
    22:07 - What we should be adding to our healthcare plan management
    28:07 - The variation in physician and hospital performance is staggering
    32:38 - Apply business principles from one side of your organization to the other side
    36:09 - Internal support from your leadership team
    41:07 - A story from Bob's career
    47:35 - At the end of the day, healthcare is personal
    50:40 - How to connect with Dr. Bob Galvin
    51:09 - Closing remarks
    Connect with Lee Lewis:
    LinkedIn

    • 51 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
13 Ratings

13 Ratings

spoiledbrat ,

Proven solution provider talks using facts

Outstanding podcast with information that is useful and fact based. 10/10

AndyNeary ,

One of the smartest experts in the industry

Lee is one of the foremost experts in the health insurance industry. His work with some of the largest companies in America has impacted millions of lives. This podcast sheds a much-needed spotlight on those doing amazing work to improve the healthcare in the U.S.

tenminutes ,

Love the pod!

Finally a healrh benefits podcast that’s worth listening to and feeds me tangible knowledge. Excited for future interviews.

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