The ShiftShapers Podcast David Saltzman

In this episode of the ShiftShapers podcast, Jon Shooshani, co-founder of JOON, discusses the concept of lifestyle spending accounts (LSAs) and their impact on health and well-being. Shooshani shares his journey from being deeply interested in health and wellness to the founding of his company, JOON, which offers personalized wellness and lifestyle benefits for employees. LSAs are employer-funded accounts with flexible spending on well-being-related items and experiences. They may vary in name and structure across different companies. Shooshani explains the value of LSAs in promoting employee health, satisfaction and retention, while also covering practical aspects like budgeting, implementation and the unique features of JOON’s platform. The story concludes with a touching background on the company's name and vision to provide meaningful employee benefits. Throughout this podcast, business executives and owners, big and small, will receive expert insights on how to provide competitive benefits packages that serve their employees well.

ShiftShaper Episode Takeaways
- A lifestyle spending account (LSA) is an employer-funded fund that allows employees to spend on items and experiences that contribute to their well-being.
- LSAs can be customized and flexible, offering a range of categories such as health and wellness, professional development, work-from-home purchases, and family care.
- LSAs can have a positive impact on employee well-being and satisfaction, and can be used as a tool to attract and retain employees.
- Employers can determine the amount and reset frequency of LSAs based on their budget and goals. LSAs can be administered and streamlined through platforms like JOON.

This episode of the ShiftShapers Podcast features host David Saltzman interviewing John Clay, president of Better Source Benefits, about unique health plan solutions for small and mid-sized groups. John shares his background in the insurance industry, highlighting the journey from working in materials control to discovering innovative health plan solutions. Despite challenges, such as a lack of options beyond traditional insurance providers, John discusses how attending conferences and learning from others in the industry transformed his approach to offering health plans. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the needs of smaller businesses and how custom, level-funded health plans can offer significant benefits. The conversation also delves into the future of health plans for small and mid-sized businesses and how creative solutions can positively impact employee health outcomes and financial security.

This episode of the ShiftShapers podcast features an interview with Yoona Kim, the CEO and co-founder of Arine, a company focusing on medication intelligence via AI to improve clinical and financial outcomes in healthcare. In this episode, Kim shares insights from a healthcare background into the challenges surrounding drug prescriptions including accessibility, cost, and the impact of incorrect or suboptimal medication on patient outcomes. Arine leverages large-scale data analysis to provide actionable recommendations, aiming to correct discrepancies in medication use, particularly in polypharmacy (multiple medication) cases. The technology not only promises to significantly reduce hospitalizations and overall healthcare costs within a short period, but also enhances patient adherence to prescribed medication regimes. Kim elaborates on the collaborative process with healthcare providers and insurers to implement these changes effectively, highlighting the potential for widespread improvement in healthcare management and outcomes.

In this episode of the ShiftShapers podcast, we explore the complex world of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and their impact on healthcare costs, sparked by the Johnson & Johnson lawsuit. Our guest, USRxCare President Renzo Luzzatti, with a 30-year healthcare background, discusses the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which is aimed at shifting power back to payers from vendors by enhancing transparency and fiduciary responsibilities. The episode sheds light on the lawsuit against J&J for excessive pharmaceutical payments through their PBM, Express Scripts, highlighting the issue of overpayment in the industry. Luzzatti emphasizes the necessity of fiduciary PBMs, devoid of conflicts of interest, and the importance of transparency and beneficiary interests. We also discuss how employers can strategically manage their pharmacy benefits to avoid overpayment and ensure compliance with fiduciary duties, emphasizing the role of advisers in navigating this complex territory. The conversation also touches on current trends and future outlooks for managing pharmacy benefits more effectively and ethically. Each of these insights are critical to business owners and other organizational leaders who must manage healthcare benefits to be cost-effective while providing for employee health needs.  

USRxCare: https://usrxcare.com/

In this episode of the ShiftShapers podcast, David Sloves, CEO of Nonstop Health, discusses the evolution and impact of Medical Expense Reimbursement Plans (MERPs) in the healthcare industry. He explains how MERPs differ from traditional health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), HSAs, and FSAs by offering first-dollar coverage and customizable financial outcomes for both employers and employees. Sloves outlines the historical context of MERPs, their tax benefits, and how they aim to address the skyrocketing costs of healthcare and improve access to medical services. The conversation also covers the challenges of implementing MERPs, their role in enhancing employee satisfaction, recruitment, and retention, and the broader implications for the healthcare system in the United States. Through anecdotes and data, Sloves makes a case for MERPs as an ethical and effective solution to the current healthcare crisis.

We wrap up by celebrating the successes of mission-driven companies in the healthcare industry, specifically how they've introduced advanced healthcare programs to employers. David Slove recounts overcoming initial skepticism and the strategies that led to significant financial benefits for clients, thanks to the MERP model. As we close, we reflect on the cascading impact of such inclusive healthcare initiatives. These efforts aren't just reshaping employee benefits—they're empowering businesses, stimulating the consulting community, and fostering a culture of retention and recruitment excellence from the heart of conservative states to the broader national arena.

Bill Snyder, CEO of Vivante Health, discusses the importance of digestive health and its impact on healthcare spend. Digestive health issues like irritable bowel syndrome and GERD affect a significant portion of the population, leading to high claim spend and unnecessary utilization. The medical establishment is becoming more aware of these conditions, but diagnosis and treatment can still be challenging. Vivante Health aims to supplement traditional care with digital interventions to improve patient outcomes. By leveraging data and predictive modeling, Vivante Health can provide personalized care and identify trigger foods that cause inflammation. 

Snyder, with a background in healthcare and a personal connection to digestive disorders, highlights the widespread impact of conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and GERD on individuals and healthcare spending. The discussion covers the lack of awareness, diagnosis challenges, and the potential of digital interventions to improve care. The importance of the gut-brain connection and its relation to stress, anxiety, and possibly Alzheimer's disease is also explored. Snyder shares insights into how Vivante Health is addressing these issues through pattern recognition, personalized care pathways, and dietary adjustments to manage symptoms, significantly improving patients' lives. The conversation also touches on the future of digestive health care, the role of data in advancing treatment, and Vivante Health's approach to integrating with the healthcare ecosystem.