Self-Funded

Spencer Smith
  • 5.0 (36)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Self-Funded, hosted by Spencer Smith, is the definitive resource for benefits consultants and employers who are ready to challenge the broken healthcare status quo. Each week, you'll get an insider's playbook of actionable strategies from industry leaders that help make healthcare better, together.

  1. Alcoholism in the Insurance Industry | with Chris Leverett

    15H AGO

    Alcoholism in the Insurance Industry | with Chris Leverett

    "I stopped doing what I didn't want to do anymore. It’s not hard to stop doing something you don't want to do... I didn't want to drink anymore." - Chris Leverett In this incredibly vulnerable and powerful episode, we step away from the usual technical discussions of self-funding and insurance captives to tackle a pervasive, often silent issue in our industry: addiction and sobriety. My guest is Chris Leverett, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Employee Benefits at TexCap Insurance. While Chris is a veteran in the benefits space, today he shares his personal testimony of battling high-functioning alcoholism while trying to maintain a career, a marriage, and a family. Chris opens up about the "boiling frog" effect of social drinking in the business world, the crushing weight of keeping up appearances, and the terrifying rock-bottom moments, including a lapse in insurance coverage during his daughter's premature birth, that finally led him to seek help. We discuss the freedom found in admitting powerlessness, how he replaced the "monster" of addiction with the discipline of Ironman triathlons, and how to navigate the alcohol-heavy social scene of insurance events without losing your edge. If you or someone you know is struggling in silence, this episode provides a blueprint for finding hope, help, and a better life on the other side. Thank you to our 2026 sponsors! ParetoHealth: ParetoHealth empowers midsize employers with a long-term solution to reduce volatility and lower overall health benefits costs. Visit ParetoHealth.com to learn more. Samaritan Fund: A program that connects those who need help to the support they need. We are proud to offer the Samaritan Fund Program. Visit SamaritanFundProgram.com to learn more. Vālenz Health: We're Vālenz Health, your partner in improving health literacy, reducing plan spend, and delivering high-value healthcare. Visit ValenzHealth.com to learn more. Imagine360: Imagine360 helps self-funded employers save on healthcare with smarter health plans. Cut expenses by 20-30% with custom solutions. Contact us today at Imagine360.com. Chapters: (00:00:00) Intro: TexCap Insurance & Going Up-Market  (00:04:48) Sobriety: It Doesn't Have to Be a "Life Sentence"  (00:09:26) The High-Functioning Trap & Social Lubricant  (00:13:24) Rock Bottom #1: No Insurance During a Crisis  (00:17:27) The Final Wake-Up Call & A Wife's Dream  (00:19:21) The Power of Admitting "I Am an Alcoholic"  (00:28:25) Trading Addiction for Ironman Triathlons  (00:38:30) How to Navigate Happy Hours Sober  (00:45:13) The Blueprint: Steps to Finding Help 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/

    52 min
  2. Is This iPhone App The Future Of Primary Care? | with VivaScore

    JAN 20

    Is This iPhone App The Future Of Primary Care? | with VivaScore

    "Imagine getting a real-time snapshot of your health just by looking into your phone’s camera for 30 seconds." - Simon My guests this week are Simon Spurr, Founder of VivaScore, and Chris Burns, a veteran benefits advisor with over 40 years of experience at firms like Mercer and Sequoia. They join the show to demonstrate a piece of technology that feels like science fiction but is actually here today: rPPG (Remote Photoplethysmography). We discuss how this technology turns a standard smartphone camera into a diagnostic tool capable of measuring blood pressure, heart rate variability (HRV), and stress levels with medical-grade accuracy, no wearables required. In this episode, we explore whether this "digital avatar" of employee health could become the new front door to primary care. We dive into how employers are using this data to spot "silent killers" like hypertension before they become claims, why engagement rates are hitting 50%+, and how this platform connects the "worried well" to actual care pathways. Tune in to see how we can finally move from "sick care" to true preventative maintenance, all through an iPhone lens. Thank you to our 2026 sponsors! ParetoHealth: ParetoHealth empowers midsize employers with a long-term solution to reduce volatility and lower overall health benefits costs. Visit ParetoHealth.com to learn more. Samaritan Fund: A program that connects those who need help to the support they need. We are proud to offer the Samaritan Fund Program. Visit SamaritanFundProgram.com to learn more. Vālenz Health: We're Vālenz Health, your partner in improving health literacy, reducing plan spend, and delivering high-value healthcare. Visit ValenzHealth.com to learn more. Imagine360: Imagine360 helps self-funded employers save on healthcare with smarter health plans. Cut expenses by 20-30% with custom solutions. Contact us today at Imagine360.com. Chapters: (00:00:00) Is This App the Future of Primary Care?  (00:06:12) Global Healthcare: Why Costs Are Rising Everywhere  (00:08:02) Chris Burns: From Mercer to Sequoia to Tech Advisor  (00:12:45) Why Employers are Tired of "Point Solutions"  (00:22:26) How rPPG Technology Works (The Face Scan)  (00:30:18) The "What Next?" Strategy for Employers  (00:39:06) Why Everyone is Talking About HRV (Heart Rate Variability)  (00:44:37) Finding the "Silent Killers" in Your Population  (00:51:46) Gamification: How to Get 50% Engagement 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
  3. Universities Failed HR. Kyle Minick Is Fixing It

    JAN 13

    Universities Failed HR. Kyle Minick Is Fixing It

    "I asked him, 'What is it that you're teaching undergraduate students about benefits?’’…Just two slides. That blew me away." - Kyle Minick My guest this week is Kyle Minick, Vice President of Employee Benefits at Summit Financial Group. Kyle returns to the show to expose a massive systemic failure: Universities are not teaching HR professionals how to manage their second-largest expense. Kyle shares the shocking story of how he discovered that major university HR programs dedicate almost zero curriculum to healthcare strategy. Instead of complaining about it, he decided to fix it. We discuss the 6-week accredited college course he built from scratch to teach the next generation of buyers about Stop-Loss, PBMs, and TPA contracts before they enter the workforce. But before we dive into the classroom, we dissect the broken market they are inheriting. We debate why Reference-Based Pricing (RBP) is failing in hospital-dominated markets like Texas, why relating prices to Medicare might be backfiring, and whether the government should step in to establish a "median price" for care. Tune in to see how we can bridge the education gap and finally train buyers to demand better. Thank you to our 2026 sponsors! ParetoHealth: ParetoHealth empowers midsize employers with a long-term solution to reduce volatility and lower overall health benefits costs. Visit ParetoHealth.com to learn more. Samaritan Fund: A program that connects those who need help to the support they need. We are proud to offer the Samaritan Fund Program. Visit SamaritanFundProgram.com to learn more. Vālenz Health: We're Vālenz Health, your partner in improving health literacy, reducing plan spend, and delivering high-value healthcare. Visit ValenzHealth.com to learn more. Imagine360: Imagine360 helps self-funded employers save on healthcare with smarter health plans. Cut expenses by 20-30% with custom solutions. Contact us today at Imagine360.com. Chapters: (00:00:00) Why RBP Struggles in Texas Monopolies  (00:03:30) The "Medicare Price" Fallacy  (00:11:00) Should the Government Set a Median Price?  (00:25:00) The Education Gap: How Universities Failed HR  (00:29:25) The "Two Slide" Curriculum Problem  (00:33:00) Kyle’s Solution: Building an Accredited Benefits Course  (00:43:00) Teaching HR to Audit Their Consultants  (00:54:30) The Syllabus: Stop-Loss, PBMs, and Contracts  (01:07:00) How to Enroll & The Future of Benefits Education 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 15m
  4. Why Employees Actually Use Onsite Clinics (Convenience Is King!)

    JAN 6

    Why Employees Actually Use Onsite Clinics (Convenience Is King!)

    "Whoever makes patient care more convenient is likely to win." - Chris Yarn My guest this week is Chris Yarn, Founder of Walk On Clinic, who joins me to explain why convenience is the ultimate currency in healthcare. Chris shares his journey from insurance broker to building a direct primary care (DPC) model that brings care directly to the employee's doorstep - literally. Chris breaks down the "Walk On" model, which combines mobile on-site clinics, near-site access, and virtual care to achieve utilization rates that are double the industry average. We discuss why traditional "near-site" clinics often fail to engage employees, how nurse practitioners are the key to scaling primary care, and why the human connection is what truly drives ROI. We also dive into the hard numbers, discussing how to prove ROI with real claims data (not just fuzzy math), and Chris shares his personal battle with cancer in 2024 that reinforced his belief in the importance of early detection and primary care access. Tune in to the first episode of 2026 to learn why the future of healthcare is hyper-convenient. Thank you to our 2026 sponsors! ParetoHealth: ParetoHealth empowers midsize employers with a long-term solution to reduce volatility and lower overall health benefits costs. Visit ParetoHealth.com to learn more. Samaritan Fund: A program that connects those who need help to the support they need. We are proud to offer the Samaritan Fund Program. Visit SamaritanFundProgram.com to learn more. Vālenz Health: We're Vālenz Health, your partner in improving health literacy, reducing plan spend, and delivering high-value healthcare. Visit ValenzHealth.com to learn more. Imagine360: Imagine360 helps self-funded employers save on healthcare with smarter health plans. Cut expenses by 20-30% with custom solutions. Contact us today at Imagine360.com. Chapters: (00:00:00) Why Convenience is King in Healthcare  (00:07:37) The Legend of "Frank Mic Dropper"  (00:14:15) The "Walk On" Model Explained  (00:19:38) Mobile vs. Near-Site: The Utilization Difference  (00:26:24) Removing Barriers: No Build-Out Costs for Employers  (00:32:06) Scaling DPC with Nurse Practitioners  (00:39:27) How to Prove ROI with Real Data  (00:47:53) A Personal Battle: Chris's Cancer Journey  (00:53:09) The Future of Primary Care in America 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/

    58 min
  5. Tier-Ranking the Biggest Healthcare Stories of 2025 | Last Month In Healthcare

    12/31/2025 · BONUS

    Tier-Ranking the Biggest Healthcare Stories of 2025 | Last Month In Healthcare

    If you'd like your question answered on next month's episode, call/text 469-213-6381 and leave us a voicemail/text. Each month on Last Month In Healthcare, producer Nathaniel joins me to discuss the previous month's podcasts, headlines, and listener-submitted questions. This month, we’re doing something a little different to close out 2025. Instead of just looking back at December, we are ranking the biggest healthcare stories of the entire year on a Tier List, from "Not Impactful" to "Super Impactful." We cover everything from the FTC suing the Big 3 PBMs and the J&J fiduciary lawsuit dismissal to the "bloodbath" of 2026 renewals and the explosion of GLP-1 usage. Plus, we debut a new "Explain Like I'm 5" segment where I break down complex concepts like Reference-Based Pricing, Captives, and Stop-Loss using simple analogies involving candy shops and dirt bikes. Finally, we answer a listener question about building confidence as a young professional in the industry. Chapters: 0:00 - Intro: Last Year in Healthcare 0:51 - Tier List 19:05 - Explaining Insurance To A 5-year-old 24:24 - Ask Spencer Anything

    27 min
  6. Why "Co-opetition" Is The Future Of Healthcare | with Dutch Rojas

    12/23/2025

    Why "Co-opetition" Is The Future Of Healthcare | with Dutch Rojas

    “I think the next stage of American capitalism includes co-opetition." - Dutch Rojas On the last episode of Self-Funded with Spencer in 2025, Dutch Rojas joins the show to expose the financial "arbitrage" that he believes is destroying independent medical practices in America. Dutch explains how current CMS incentives allow hospitals to buy independent clinics and immediately charge 165% more for the exact same services, which is a practice that is crushing employers and patients alike. In this episode, Dutch lays out his bold vision for "Co-opetition”, a new playbook where independent practices, manufacturers, and even churches band together to leverage their collective buying power. We discuss why the traditional "HR-led" model of buying benefits is failing, why CFOs need to take the wheel, and his dream of creating a true "Healthcare Commodities Exchange" to normalize pricing. We also get personal about his journey from the Netherlands to the U.S., the importance of social media for building influence in DC, and why he believes the next 10 years will be defined by those who can master media. Tune in for a fascinating look at the future of independent medicine. Chapters: (00:00:00) What is "Co-opetition" in Healthcare?  (00:01:00) How Hospital Arbitrage Kills Private Practices  (00:06:40) Why Independent Doctors Don't Work Together (Yet)  (00:14:00) The 165% Markup (00:29:40) The Dream of a Healthcare Commodities Exchange  (00:41:00) Why HR Shouldn't Make Healthcare Decisions  (00:49:00) Aggregating Buying Power: Churches & Manufacturers  (00:57:00) The 4-Stage Plan 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 8m
  7. 21% Of Medical Care Is Unnecessary. Here’s How We Prevent It.

    12/16/2025

    21% Of Medical Care Is Unnecessary. Here’s How We Prevent It.

    "Healthcare has had no star score, there's been no reliable pricing. It's all been just a black box." - Will Bruhn An estimated 21% of all medical care in the U.S. is completely unnecessary. My guest this week is Will Bruhn, CEO and Co-Founder of GAM (Global Appropriateness Measures), and he joins the show to explain exactly where that waste comes from and how we can fix it. Will argues that we've been measuring quality wrong. Instead of just looking at outcomes (did the surgery go well?), we need to measure appropriateness (should the surgery have happened at all?). We discuss the perverse financial incentives driving this waste, using real-world examples like unnecessary spinal fusions and the statistical spike in C-sections on Friday afternoons. But this episode isn't just about the problem; it's about the fix. Will breaks down how GAM uses data to identify high-value providers and how employers can redesign plans to guide members away from wasteful care, potentially saving millions while protecting patients from unnecessary risks. Tune in for a blueprint on eliminating the 21% of healthcare spending that shouldn't exist. Chapters: (00:00:00) 21% Of Medical Care Is Wasteful. Here’s How We Prevent It. (00:00:34) Why 21% of Medical Care is Wasteful  (00:01:57) The Missing Metric: Appropriateness of Care  (00:08:29) How Financial Incentives Drive Bad Medicine  (00:17:02) Case Study: Unnecessary Spine Surgeries  (00:24:06) How We Fix It: Identifying the Right Doctors  (00:31:22) Changing Plan Design to Stop the Waste  (00:33:52) The ROI of Steering to High-Value Care  (00:48:44) The Debate on Government Regulation & Drug Prices  (00:53:31) The Future of Healthcare Transparency 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 1m
  8. The "Virtual Wallet" Strategy for Lowering Medical Claims

    12/09/2025

    The "Virtual Wallet" Strategy for Lowering Medical Claims

    "Why in every other industry can we just check out and know exactly what it's going to cost? Why can't it be the same in healthcare? Why are we still mailing physical checks in 2025?" - Cory Morin My guest this week is Cory Morin, Co-Founder of Benji Card, who has developed a "virtual wallet" strategy that is revolutionizing how self-funded plans pay for care. Cory joined the show to explain how giving members and care coordinators instant access to funds can drastically lower medical claim costs. Cory breaks down the mechanics of the Benji Card, a virtual payment solution that acts as the financial rails for modern cost containment. We discuss the strategy behind it: by guaranteeing providers immediate payment via a virtual card, plans can negotiate significant discounts (often cash rates) that aren't available through traditional insurance. We explore how this "virtual wallet" approach aligns incentives - providers get paid instantly without administrative bloat, and employers save 30-50% on claims. We also dive into Cory's entrepreneurial journey and why he believes this model could eventually make traditional PPO networks obsolete. Tune in to learn how a virtual wallet strategy can fix the broken economics of healthcare. Chapters: (00:00:00) The "Virtual Wallet" Strategy for Lowering Medical Claims  (00:12:16) From Insurance Agent to Fintech Founder  (00:20:59) What is the Benji Card?  (00:26:43) Why Healthcare Needs Virtual Payments  (00:29:40) How Instant Payments Negotiate Lower Rates  (00:38:51) Empowering Care Coordinators with a Virtual Wallet  (00:44:03) The Challenge of Scaling Fintech in Healthcare  (00:49:24) Will Virtual Wallets Replace Networks? 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/

    1 hr
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Trailer

5
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

Self-Funded, hosted by Spencer Smith, is the definitive resource for benefits consultants and employers who are ready to challenge the broken healthcare status quo. Each week, you'll get an insider's playbook of actionable strategies from industry leaders that help make healthcare better, together.

Information

  • Creator
    Spencer Smith
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    258
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Spencer Smith
  • Show Website
    Self-Funded

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