Broken Benefits Lee Lewis

In the latest episode of Broken Benefits, we are honored to welcome Elena Bueno-Gonzalez, the dynamic Vice President of Energy Marketing & Trading at Florida Power & Light. Elena's incredible journey from Venezuela to becoming a leading figure in the U.S. energy industry is nothing short of inspiring.
Arriving in the United States at the age of 21 and learning English as her second language, Elena's dedication and talent led her to excel in Mathematics. Her expertise and determination propelled her into the world of commodities trading, where she now oversees critical operations for one of the largest energy companies in the nation.
But Elena's accomplishments don't stop there. In a surprising career twist, she took on the challenge of managing Health and Welfare Benefits, achieving remarkable results in a short period. Her unique perspective and innovative approach brought significant improvements, showcasing her versatile leadership skills.
Join us as we delve into Elena's fascinating story, exploring her challenges, triumphs, and the invaluable insights she's gained along the way.
Chapters:
0:00 - Cold open
0:40 - Introducing Elena Bueno-Gonzalez to the show
1:56 - The big transition in her career and moving into Health and Welfare Benefits
5:06 - The first challenges Elena wanted to tackle in her new role
11:10 - Convincing other leaders she was the right person for the job
15:43 - Leveraging her relationship with the TPA to empower her people
19:32 - Negotiating with the networks
26:52 - Advice to someone in similar shoes
32:54 - Designing a plan that made it easy for people to find quality care
38:19 - Identifying the risks associated with your strategic decisions
42:55 - Embracing the awkward nature of going back to the incumbent option
48:06 - How to get in touch with Elena to learn more
48:50 - Closing remarks

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In this episode of Broken Benefits, we delve into the intricate world of health care solutions with a seasoned expert, Barbara Flitsch. With years of experience at the helm of a Fortune 500 health plan, Barbara brings invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities within the industry.
Join us as we explore Barbara's journey, from her early days in the field to her current role at the helm of innovation. From navigating regulatory hurdles to addressing the evolving needs of consumers, Barbara shares firsthand accounts of the complexities inherent in managing a large-scale health plan.
Through candid discussions and real-world examples, Barbara sheds light on the strategies and tactics she employs to stay ahead in an ever-changing landscape. Whether it's implementing new technologies or fostering collaboration across departments, her approach offers a blueprint for success in an industry ripe for transformation.
Chapters:
0:00 - Cold open
0:40 - Introduction and overview on the topic of the day
1:32 - Barbara's background in Health Care and the impact employers have on American Health Care
4:25 - What health plans should be doing
8:25 - Pushing new innovations through despite pushback
16:42 - Tactics to improve communications and feedback
20:30 - Which key questions are more important than others?
27:40 - How to solve issues without a big staff or budget
34:35 - Some of the biggest risks in Barbara's career
40:01 - Health Care can be a game of inches
46:05 - Exciting endeavors Barbara is focusing on right now
48:28 - How to connect with Barbara online and learn more
49:10 - Closing remarks

Connect with Lee Lewis:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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