Becker’s Payer Issues Podcast
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The Becker's Payer Issues Podcast is the must-listen podcast exclusively created for health insurance executives. Two new 15-minute episodes are released weekly with the leaders who shape health insurance in America and the cost of care, policy and regula
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In this episode, Michael Carson, President and CEO of Wellcare, a Centene company, shares how his diverse career and mission-driven approach shape Wellcare’s Medicare strategy. He highlights the unique needs of dual eligible members, the importance of integrated care, and the push to improve consumer experience across healthcare.
In this episode, Dan Kueter, CEO of UnitedHealthcare's Employer & Individual business, talks about new tools like the UHC Store, the impact of AI on healthcare navigation, and how employers and members are adapting to rising costs and evolving therapies.
In this episode, Steven Berkow, Senior Advisor for Value-based Care at InterSystems, and Robert Tennant, Executive Director of the Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange, discuss the evolving landscape of ePrior authorization. They share insights on regulatory changes, industry collaboration, and what healthcare leaders should know as the 2027 compliance date approaches.This episode is sponsored by InterSystems.
In this episode, Zack Myers, National General Manager at SCAN Health Plan, discusses the organization’s expansion into new markets, its nonprofit approach to provider partnerships, and how innovative models like iSNPs are improving care and independence for seniors.
In this episode, Brendan Harris, president of UPMC for You and state programs, shares how initiatives like the Pathways to Work program and Neighborhood Centers are addressing social determinants of health, supporting Medicaid members, and strengthening local communities.
In this episode, Mack McGee, Chief Marketing Officer at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, shares how the organization earned top marks for customer experience in Forrester’s 2025 rankings and discusses the importance of trust, personalization, and simplifying healthcare interactions for members.
In this episode, Scott Burton, Market President at Providence Health Plan, shares insights on the growing interest in ICRAs, strategies to manage rising employer health costs, and how Providence is balancing innovation with long-term sustainability in a shifting insurance landscape.
In this episode, Jay Deady, President of Price Optimization at Zelis, discusses why fragmented pricing operations create inefficiencies for health plans and how integrated solutions, advanced technology, and personalization are paving the way for a more connected financial experience across healthcare.This episode is sponsored by Zelis.
This episode features Cereasa Horner, Director of Policy and Payment Integrity at CERIS, who shares insights on the evolving payer oversight landscape. She discusses the challenges of maintaining consistency across state and federal guidelines, the role of AI and predictive compliance modeling, and strategies for payers to stay proactive in a dynamic regulatory environment.This episode is sponsored by CERIS.
In this episode, Bill Harlan, Vice President of Behavioral Health at Point32Health, shares how his team is addressing access challenges, supporting members through navigation services, and building innovative partnerships to improve mental health care delivery.
In this episode, Dan LaVallee and Dr. Brandy Hershberger of UPMC share how the health system is creating innovative apprenticeship programs to support Medicaid members and employees in pursuing meaningful careers. They discuss workforce development, grant funding, and how these programs are shaping the future of healthcare talent pipelines.
In this episode, Alan Cohen, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Centivo, joins the podcast to share his perspective on escalating healthcare costs, premium increases, and the risks facing the ACA market. He also explains how Centivo partners with high-performing providers to deliver cost-effective, sustainable coverage for employers and their employees.
In this episode, Dr. Nathan Crock of Premera Blue Cross shares how the AI-powered chatbot “Alice” is helping hundreds of customer service representatives quickly find accurate information, reducing call times, improving member satisfaction, and enhancing internal knowledge management.
In this episode, John Byrnes, Chief Operating Officer at Banner|Aetna, discusses how the organization is advancing value-based care through integrated technology, strong payer-provider collaboration, and personalized member support. He highlights key strategies driving improved health outcomes and sustainable cost management in Arizona.
In this episode, Karen Ignagni, Executive Chair, and Dr. Dan Knecht, Chief Medical Officer at EmblemHealth, discuss the launch of the first health plan covered lifestyle medicine program for early-stage Alzheimer’s. They explore how evidence-based interventions, community support, and integrated care are reshaping brain health and advancing equity in underserved populations.
In this episode, Jeff Yuan, Co-founder of Mending, discusses how his company is building an AI-native health insurer focused on reducing provider burden and improving patient access through direct primary care partnerships. He also shares insights on rebranding, early success in Maine and Oklahoma, and plans for thoughtful national expansion.
In this episode, Dawn Maroney, President of Alignment Health and CEO of Alignment Health Plan, shares her experience testifying before Congress on the future of Medicare Advantage and highlights key policy changes needed to protect access, expand rural care, and ensure member choice in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
In this episode, Michael Hunn, CEO of CalOptima Health, joins Jakob Emerson to discuss how the organization is preparing for sweeping changes under the Federal Reconciliation Bill. He shares insights on preserving access to care, the importance of managed care partnerships, and how collaboration, communication, and innovation will be essential to maintaining Medicaid’s long-term sustainability.
This episode features Anthony J. Colistra, President of MD Live by Evernorth, discussing how virtual care has evolved, where consumer demand is headed, and how MD Live is using AI to personalize the patient experience, improve patient-provider communication, and streamline provider administrative tasks to give them more time to spend with patients.This episode is sponsored by Evernorth.
In this episode, Alan Murray, President and CEO of MediDrive, shares how innovative, tech-enabled approaches to non-emergency medical transportation are closing care gaps, reducing no-show rates, and supporting more coordinated, patient-centered care—while also improving administrative efficiency and helping to lower system-wide costs.This episode is sponsored by MediDrive.
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