Phia Group

Empowering Plans: P194 – The Rapid Evolution of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

On June 20, 2024
Just like the development of a child, regulations evolve in their ability to walk and talk over time. Join Jen McCormick and Kelly Dempsey as they go through the evolution of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act – from passage in late 2022 to the final rules that took effect on June 18, 2024. They also discuss current court challenges where two courts have reached opposite conclusions and, of course, what this all means for self-funded health plans. It’s hard to keep up as this one went from crawling to running in fewer than two months!

Empowering Plans: P193 – Stopping Esophageal Cancer In Its Tracks

On June 7, 2024
In this episode of Empowering Plans, The Phia Group’s CLO – Ron Peck – sits down with experienced surgeon, Dr. Victoria Lee, to discuss a very dangerous – and costly – threat. Esophageal cancer is generally considered to be a death sentence, and historically screening options are invasive and costly, resulting in a low uptake. With the introduction of EsoGuard, however, plans can identify which participants are at risk, and have them tested quickly, non-invasively, and inexpensively. You can save lives and money… but you cannot afford to miss this episode.

Empowering Plans: P192 – Places, Promises, and Plan Documents

On May 23, 2024
In this installment of The Phia Group’s Empowering Plans podcast series, attorneys Jon Jablon and Cindy Merrell discuss a health plan that lost its ERISA protections because of a pre-cert snafu. Specifically, the provider was quoted benefits at U&C, but that’s not quite what the SPD said – so the court called it a promise outside the SPD, and the security blanket of federal law flew right out the window! Tune in for the full details, and advice on how to not let this happen to you!

Empowering Plans: P191 – Derby Reflections and Gambles on Healthcare Strategies (Part 2)

On May 14, 2024
In this concluding episode of our special two-part series on the Empowering Plans Podcast, Adam Russo and Corey Crigger return to unpack more significant developments in the self-funded space. This episode focuses on Walmart’s surprising withdrawal from the healthcare arena—a sector it heavily invested in just a year ago. Listen as they analyze the impact of this move on rural markets and what it signifies for the industry's future.

Empowering Plans: P190 – Derby Insights and Gambles on Healthcare Strategies (Part 1)

On May 9, 2024
Join us for a captivating two-part episode of the Empowering Plans Podcast. Adam Russo, CEO and Founder of The Phia Group, is back alongside Corey Crigger to delve into the exhilarating 150th Kentucky Derby and share why Corey’s insights are indispensable. This episode also addresses pressing concerns in the self-funded sector that are crucial for our clients. Packed with valuable information, we had to split the discussion into two parts!

Empowering Plans: P189 – SCOTUS Showdowns and Derby Delights

On May 3, 2024
The Empowering Plans podcast gets a southern infusion in this very Kentucky-centric podcast! Cindy Merrell and Corey Crigger get together to discuss the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby. Before you hear about all things Derby, Cindy and Corey review two impactful Supreme Court cases that were argued in the last session and discuss the implications of presidential immunity as well as the role EMTALA can play in state regulations. No other podcast in the country will break down SCOTUS cases and Derby winners like the Empowering Plans Podcast!

Empowering Plans: P188 – Fiduciary Duties in the Spotlight – Lewandowski v. Johnson and Johnson

On April 25, 2024
Attorneys Brady Bizarro and Andrew Silverio discuss the pending case of Lewandowski v. Johnson & Johnson, a lawsuit brought against plan fiduciaries for violating their fiduciary duties under ERISA. How did they violate those duties? By failing to negotiate drug prices and sufficiently oversee their PBM or investigate alternatives. No matter who wins, this case highlights the importance of ERISA’s fiduciary duties and the gravity of the decisions fiduciaries are (or should be) making.

Empowering Plans: P187 – Decoding ACA FAQ #66: Essential Health Benefits Unpacked

On April 11, 2024
Listen in as Kelly Dempsey and Brian O'Hara hit it out of the park in this Empowering Plans episode about Essential Health Benefits (EHBs)! The regulating bodies are at it again and issued ACA FAQ #66 on April 2, 2024! Listen in for a quick refresher on EHBs - how they started, where they are now, and where we’re going - and Phia’s interpretation and analysis of FAQ #66.

Empowering Plans: P186 – Xenotransplantation: A Potential Game Changer for Self-Funded Plans

On March 28, 2024
Ham it up with attorneys Nick Bonds and Jen McCormick from the Phia Group as they dive into the groundbreaking world's first successful genetically engineered pig kidney transplant at MGH in Boston. Explore the details of this medical breakthrough, its implications for the healthcare industry, and the considerations for the future of dialysis, plan language, and stop loss provisions. Tune in to gain invaluable insights into the intersection of law, healthcare, and cutting-edge medical advancements.

Empowering Plans: P185 – Weighing the Options

On March 14, 2024
Over the last twelve months we have seen major interest in GLP-1s (Semaglutide- Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide – Mounjaro / Zepbound). Although GLP-1s have been around for years as a treatment for diabetes, the recent popularity is due to their use as a weight loss drug. Join Ron Peck and Corey Crigger as they discuss the impact this surge in demand has had on health plans and consumers. Are health plans and consumers informed about the benefits and drawbacks of this drug? Are consumers too focused on the benefits? Are health plans too focused on cost? Find out as Ron and Corey discuss one of the hottest topics in the industry.

Empowering Plans: P184 – State of the Union, 2024

On March 8, 2024
In his third State of the Union address, President Biden touted his administration’s record and outlined the issues he and his team will likely be campaigning on heavily as the 2024 presidential race kicks off in earnest. Sprinkled throughout were a number of policy wish list items, including some key healthcare initiatives that we’ll be keeping a close eye on in the coming months. Attorneys Brady Bizarro and Nick Bonds bring you some of the highlights in this episode of the Empowering Plans podcast.

Empowering Plans: P181 – Chevron Deference in Peril – What It Could Mean for Healthcare Regulations

On February 1, 2024
In this episode of the Empowering Plans podcast, attorneys Brady Bizarro and Brian O’Hara discuss the legal doctrine involved in two cases now before the Supreme Court – Chevron deference. They’ll explain what it means, why it is important for federal agency action, and how it impacts the entire healthcare industry. With a decision expected by this summer, you do not want to miss our take on how the NSA, the Medicare drug price negotiations, and the ACA itself could be at stake.

Empowering Plans: P180 – The Continuing Evolution of MHPAEA

On January 18, 2024
One might think they’re listening to a broken record when hearing Jennifer McCormick and Kelly Dempsey discuss the ever-shifting landscape of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), but alas, this is a brand new podcast! As we start 2024, we are reframing our mindset and are making some changes to address the evolving MHPAEA regulations and insights we have received from regulating bodies through the NQTL Comparative Analysis Process. In addition to highlighting the significance of how these issues should be addressed within an employer’s PD/SPD, there are three main changes discussed to create visibility for employers creating new 2024 PD/SPDs.

Empowering Plans: P179 – Higher Healthcare Prices (Made From Concentrate)

On January 4, 2024
The trend of provider consolidation is primed to pick up pace in 2024, distilling some areas into even more highly concentrated healthcare markets. Ron Peck and Nick Bonds break down how this concentration impacts the costs of healthcare and can drive costs upward for employers and employees alike. With fewer provider options, higher prices, and patients caught in the middle, Ron and Nick outline just a few of their concerns and discuss some of the tools health plans have at their disposal.

Empowering Plans: P178 – Back to December (Phia’s Version)

On December 21, 2023
It is the last podcast of the year, and you know All Too Well that it is Phia’s 2023 year-in-review! Sparks Fly as Kendall Jackson and Corey Crigger talk about how Everything in PGC and Provider Relations Has Changed in 2023. If you need to catch up on anything from the No Surprises Act to Gag Clause Attestations, You Need To Calm Down and Stay Stay Stay tuned into this podcast episode. In addition to the big changes in 2023, we look forward to 2024 and ask, are you … Ready For It?