While always facing a dynamic landscape, one of the biggest issues today in the employer-sponsored insurance market is affordability. As healthcare costs continue to rise, employers are getting increasingly nervous about their ability to pay for employees’ health insurance, especially in a time of heightened worker shortages. In this episode, guest host and Advisory Board Vice President and spokesperson Aaron Mauck discusses employer market affordability with Advisory Board health plan experts Sally Kim and Max Hakanson. Throughout the conversation, they explore the context of the problem, root causes, and what the future may look like for employer-sponsored insurance. Links: 4 big ways employers are changing health benefits in 2023 The cost of employer-sponsored insurance is about to spike—again Mark Cuban is taking on the self-insured employer drug market Ready-to-use market outlook slides for health plans Learn more about Advisory Board On-Demand Courses

Episode 138 was originally released on October 25, 2022. This week, we're bringing you an encore of our episode with Tom Lawry, the former national director for AI at Microsoft about building ethical AI systems. Not only did this episode recently receive accolades from this year's Communicator Awards – including best healthcare and pharma episode and best business episode – but this conversation is just as, if not more relevant as it was when we recorded it in the Fall of 2022. While we have a lot to learn about these new technologies, it is clear that AI is top of mind for digital health leaders in 2023. However, revelations about equity issues and bias in artificial intelligence are increasingly giving cause for concern. In this encore of Episode 138, Rachel (Rae) Woods invites Microsoft's former Director for Artificial Intelligence Tom Lawry to discuss how bias creeps into AI and how leaders can respond to make intelligent systems more equitable. Tom Lawry is the author of Hacking Healthcare, which details lessons learned from AI's role during global pandemic and how to apply this knowledge to healthcare’s other big challenges – including inequity. Links: [Tom's book] Hacking Healthcare: How AI and the Intelligence Revolution Will Reboot an Ailing System AI in healthcare What does the future of AI in cancer care look like? Here are 3 global start-ups that we're watching to decide. Prep for a new era of AI and analytics: 5 insights from Advisory Board's 2022 AI and analytics survey Ep. 103: What an equitable organization looks like and how yours can get there Our Technology playlist Our Health Equity and Racism playlist Learn more about Advisory Board Events at advisory.com/resources/events

Hospitals and health systems across the globe are looking towards environmental sustainability. However, in a tumultuous economic environment, it can be challenging to balance sustainability efforts with bottom-line necessities while operating under tight margins. In this episode, guest host and Advisory Board's environmental sustainability expert Miles Cottier invites Bob Biggio, Senior Vice President of Facilities & Support Services at Boston Medical Center, to discuss long-term green financing strategies. Throughout the discussion, they explore Boston Medical Center's medical campus redesign, issuing of "Green Bonds," and their efforts balance sustainability with efficiency and cost-savings. Links: The 5 things we're watching in international healthcare in 2023 How can you make progress on environmental sustainability? By defining the problem and asking the right questions. Ep. 119: How health leaders can address climate change Here's how hospitals can chart a path to a sustainable financial future Three ways your climate change inaction will hurt your bottom line What health system strategists will prioritize in 2023 and beyond Learn more about Advisory Board Events at advisory.com/resources/events

Vertical integration and consolidation are significantly altering the healthcare landscape. From health plans to retailers to incumbent health systems, consolidation is reshaping conventional norms in the industry. In this episode, host Rachel (Rae) Woods speaks with Advisory Board experts Paul Trigonoplos and Eliza Dailey about the reasons for and reactions to the recent explosion in consolidation across the industry. Throughout the discussion, they explore how different stakeholders are responding, and where the future is heading for diversification and integration. Links: What does hospital consolidation mean for US health care? Ep. 139: The rise of the payvider Ep. 33: Are mega systems the future? Ep. 32: Are independent physicians going extinct? Not so fast. How the emergence of 'superpractices' impacts you Why Humana is consolidating 4 primary care practices into one new brand Learn more about the Advisory Board Fellowship (advisory.com/fellowship)

Recent research shows that the workforce shortage – particularly among registered nurses – is the top issue for healthcare CEOs. While a nursing shortage is challenging for nursing departments, there are a host of systemwide problems that will impact quality and safety of care alongside an organization's ability to grow. In this episode, host Rachel (Rae) Woods speaks with Advisory Board's Chief Nursing Officer, Carol Boston, and two leaders from University Hospitals – Chief Quality & Clinical Transformation Officer, Peter Pronovost, and Chief Nursing Executive, Michelle Hereford – about recent data and their experiences navigating the complexity of the workforce shortage. They explore how the shortage is impacting health organizations at large, why organizations can't seem to find a solution, and how addressing tactical issues alone will not solve the crisis. Links: Is the nurse shortage putting patients at risk? Hospital CEOs' top concern? Staffing. Hard truths on the current and future state of the nursing workforce Ep. 135: Henry Ford Health on nursing shortages and the real supply chain issue Our Clinical Workforce playlist

In 2018, Wellmont Health System and Mountain States Health Alliance, who both served regions of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, merged to create one organization – Ballad Health. The merger was seen by leadership as essential but led to a host of difficult decisions and even public backlash. So, how did leaders work to navigate such a complex environment? In part two of Radio Advisory's Leadership series, host Rachel Woods invites Lisa Carter, the CEO of Ballad Health's Southern Market, to discuss her experience navigating complex challenges and a contentious response to the merger of two legacy health systems in Northern Tennessee. Links: Ep. 160: What navigating complexity can tell us about leadership Introduction to adaptive leadership How to turn uncertainty to your advantage The Executive’s Role in Fostering Resilient, Adaptive Leaders Ep. 17: Leadership series #1: Leading in uncertain times Ep. 80: Whitman-Walker's commitment to vulnerable communities is more than just a mission statement Learn more about Advisory Board Sponsorship opportunities at advisory.com/sponsorship

The past few years have been filled with complexity. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, financial pressures, workforce challenges and more, it has become increasingly difficulty to make sense of such an uncertain environment. One thing is for sure: this complexity isn't going away, so how can leaders work to navigate this ambiguity? In part one of Radio Advisory's leadership series, host Rachel Woods invites Advisory Board's expert on executive development, Matt Cornner to discuss leading in times of complexity. We'll also hear from Advisory Board's CEO, Adele Scielzo and two UnitedHealth Group leaders – chief medical officer Dr. Margaret-Mary Wilson, and chief sustainability officer Patricia Lewis – about leadership challenges they've faced, finding purpose, and building momentum. Links: Introduction to adaptive leadership How to turn uncertainty to your advantage The Executive’s Role in Fostering Resilient, Adaptive Leaders Ep. 17: Leadership series #1: Leading in uncertain times Ep. 80: Whitman-Walker's commitment to vulnerable communities is more than just a mission statement Learn more about the Advisory Board Fellowship (advisory.com/fellowship)

Demand – and concern – is growing for the newest generation of weight loss drugs. Approved by the FDA to treat type 2 diabetes, drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have set off a media frenzy as celebrities and the wealthy touted their weight loss benefits. Leaders have a lot of questions about protocol, supply, and coverage of these drugs, and the consequences of patients using them for their unintended purpose. In this episode, host Rachel (Rae) Woods walks through these questions with experts Kara Marlatt, Gaby Marmolejos, and Chloe Bakst and discuss the potential future of weight management in US healthcare. Links: 6 questions providers and health plans need to answer about weight loss drugs Are we entering a new era of weight-loss medication? Why did WeightWatchers just buy a telehealth platform? Learn more about Advisory Board Sponsorship opportunities at advisory.com/sponsorship

Advisory Board has been giving guidance to healthcare leaders since 1979 – and we've seen a lot of changes in those 40+ years. In this episode, host Rachel (Rae) Woods invites her Advisory Board co-spokespersons Ford Koles and Aaron Mauck to reflect on their experiences delivering insights in an ever-changing industry and the power of peer-to-peer conversations. Links: 16 Things CEOs Need to Know in 2023 Ep. 145: Part 1: What CEOs need to know in 2023 Ep. 146: Part 2: What CEOs need to know in 2023 Learn more about the Advisory Board Fellowship (advisory.com/fellowship)

Data show that women still lag behind men in representation in senior leadership positions. In part two of Radio Advisory’s Allyship in Action series, Advisory Board’s managing director of workplace culture Micha’le Simmons talks with women in healthcare leadership roles about times when they could have used an ally and what they think could make a real difference in the professional trajectories of women. We will also leave you with some final thoughts on why it’s on all of us to make healthcare leadership more attainable for traditionally marginalized communities. Episode guests: Micha’le Simmons, Managing Director of Workforce Culture, Advisory Board Dr. Kelley Bahr, MD, Medical Vice President of Ambulatory Services, Gundersen Health System Dr. Elishae Johnson, PhD, LPC, CAADC, System Director Business Health Services at Bronson Healthcare Dr. Jennifer Kleven, MD, MPH, FAAP, Medical Director of Research and Grants, Gundersen Health System Charity Shelley, Manager of Culture, Inclusion & Diversity, Advisory Board Links: Ep. 156: Allyship in Action (Part 1): Beyond Leaning In with Melanie Ho The manager's guide to inclusion and belonging: Tools to navigate specific leadership challenges using inclusive leadership Introduction to adaptive leadership Learn more about the Advisory Board Fellowship: advisory.com/fellowship

Melanie Ho has spent many years advising organizations about diversity, equity, and inclusion, and oftentimes uses art and comics to convey difficult topics. In part one of Radio Advisory's _Allyship in Action_ series, Advisory Board digital health expert (and ally) John League talks with Melanie about her approach to having difficult conversations with leaders and teams, "mental auto-completes", and steps to turn allyship intentions into actions. Links: Build diversity, equity, and inclusion among your staff and leaders Melanie's presentations and workshops: https://www.melanieho.com/speaking Read the reviews and buy _Beyond Leaning In_ on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3bht0PO **Beyond Leaning In**: Available wherever you find your podcasts or on Melanie's website Instagram for Melanie's comics: @melanieho13 Download the excerpt from Beyond Leaning In that John read on this podcast episode, and view Melanie's comic based on the excerpt: https://www.melanieho.com/the-cupcake-trap Learn more about Advisory Board Sponsorship opportunities at advisory.com/sponsorship

As facilities continue to grapple with staffing shortages and financial distress, an unprecedented number of skilled nursing facilities are cutting beds or shutting down entirely. And, there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. Despite misconceptions about the value of skilled nursing facilities, these closures impact the entire healthcare ecosystem, and leaders can no longer ignore what is happening. In this episode, host Rachel (Rae) Woods invites post-acute care experts Monica Westhead and Blake Zissman to discuss the reasons behind these closures and the impact this has on the entire delivery system. Links: 4 predictions for post-acute care Why might 400 nursing homes close this year? [ahcancal.org] Nursing Home Closures: By the Numbers Delays in transitions to post-acute care

Host Rachel (Rae) Woods passes the microphone to equity and behavioral health expert Darby Sullivan to guest host a conversation on behavioral health solutions. Darby sits down with provider expert Sophia Duke-Mosier, health plan expert Sally Kim, and lifesciences expert Amanda Okaka to share tactics for advancing behavioral health and discuss how different stakeholders can come together to address this shared challenge. Links: The behavioral health crisis won't change — unless we do Ep. 122: The 5 root causes of behavioral health inequity Tactics to build a stronger behavioral health system CareOregon’s 3 partnerships to reduce the behavioral health workforce shortage

U.S. hospitals are the biggest emitters of carbon per square foot than any other building in the world, contributing to a climate crisis that poses serious risk to human health. But in today's healthcare landscape, it's easy for reducing carbon emissions to fall off leaders' list of top priorities. In this episode, host Rachel (Rae) Woods talks with Neal Hogan, chairman of Healthcare Climate ActionWorks and author of Leading on Climate Change: How Healthcare Leaders Stop Global Warming. Neal discusses the role the healthcare industry plays in addressing climate change and why health systems should lead the charge. Links: Healthcare Climate ActionWorks Ep. 119: How health leaders can address climate change Three ways your climate change inaction will hurt your bottom line Addressing cognitive biases in climate change

When we look outside the U.S. healthcare system we're finding more similarities with other countries than ever before when it comes to industry challenges. Globally we are seeing more health system operations converging, bigger pushes for diversification, and rising staffing costs (and shortages). In this episode host Rachel (Rae) Woods invites international healthcare experts Alex Polyak and Paul Trigonoplos to discuss universal healthcare challenges and possible solutions to the workforce shortage. Links: The 5 things we're watching in international healthcare in 2023 The Worldwide Nurse Staffing Crisis Intensifies (NEJM Catalyst) Our Clinical Workforce playlist Providers outside the U.S. Landing Page Learn how healthcare competition is transforming (www.advisory.com/healthcarecompetition)

Fifty to seventy percent of provider-vendor partnerships fail. Both sides often describe these arrangements as "chaotic," "bureaucratic," and "burdensome" but does it have to always be this way? In this episode, host Rachel (Rae) Woods invites health system expert Paul Trigonoplos and digital health expert John League to talk about why these relationships fail so often and what leaders can do to cultivate strategic alignment and common goals with their partners. Links: What health systems need to know about technology vendors What technology vendors need to know about health systems 9 brutally honest quotes from health systems and tech vendors on partnering with each other The research questions we are—and aren't—asking about tech vendor-health system partnerships Learn how healthcare competition is transforming (www.advisory.com/healthcarecompetition)

Medicare Advantage (MA) is a public-private hybrid health plan that allows eligible seniors to receive health insurance through a commercial insurer. It has a high satisfaction rate among enrollees and is projected to crest fifty percent of all Medicare enrollment this year. In part two of Radio Advisory's senior care series, Host Rachel (Rae) Woods talks with senior care expert Aaron Hill and health plan expert Max Hakanson about why Medicare Advantage is so popular, its impact on industry stakeholders, and why MA will likely be subjected to more oversight and regulatory scrutiny in the near future. The podcast team wants to know how we can make the podcast better for you. So, we created a quick listener survey at advisory.com/podsurvey. Please take it and let us know what you want to hear on Radio Advisory. Thanks for listening. Links: Health insurance 101: Medicare Advantage Achieving sustainable growth in Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans (SNPs) 9 data-driven insights on senior preferences when selecting a Medicare Advantage plan What seniors want when shopping for Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits Ep. 149: Senior Care (Part 1): Specialized primary care for an aging population Ep. 109: Senior care: Why the next 10 years are critical Learn how healthcare competition is transforming (www.advisory.com/healthcarecompetition)

Enrollment in Medicare Advantage is expected to surpass 50 percent of the eligible Medicare population this year, and its rise has created new opportunities for experimentation and savings in senior care. An example of this is the rising demand for senior-focused primary care. In part one of Radio Advisory’s senior care series, host Rachel (Rae) Woods invites experts Sebastian Beckmann and Elysia Culver to discuss the growing interest in senior-focused primary care and the opportunities and challenges it could present to stakeholders. Be sure to tune in to part two of our senior care series, when we take a deeper dive into the world of Medicare Advantage and its impact in industry stakeholders. The podcast team wants to know how we can make the podcast better for you. So, we created a quick listener survey at advisory.com/podsurvey. Please take it and let us know what you want to hear on Radio Advisory. Thanks for listening. Links: The future of senior-focused primary care 4 ways to expand access to senior-focused primary care in rural areas Ep. 109: Senior care: Why the next 10 years are critical Ep. 117: 4 ways to prevent a physician shortage Is there really a primary care shortage? Learn how healthcare competition is transforming (www.advisory.com/healthcarecompetition)

Physicians have more options than ever before when it comes to employment as more organizations move to acquire practices. In this episode, host Rachel (Rae) Woods talks with physician experts Eliza Dailey and Sarah Hostetter about the new era of physician employment, what it means for the rest of the industry, and striking the right balance between autonomy and integration. Links: [Webinar] Physician landscape update Physician happiness, in 5 charts Why are your physicians leaving? Here are the 3 key reasons. Fireside chat: The physician landscape trends we’re watching Our Physician Landscape playlist Learn how healthcare competition is transforming (www.advisory.com/healthcarecompetition)

Factors like labor, supply costs, and rising costs of capital are making it harder than ever for leaders to develop and implement growth strategies and are showing no signs of letting up anytime soon. In this episode, Rachel (Rae) Woods invites healthcare strategy experts Colin Gelbaugh and Vidal Seegobin to discuss how health systems' growth strategies have shifted and what leaders can do to improve their organizations' trajectories, even if you're only in survival mode right now. Links: 4 health system growth archetypes 'The most difficult year': Why hospital finances are so strained Ep. 142: The dire state of hospital finances (Part 1: Hospital of the Future series) Ep. 143: A new path for a sustainable financial future (Part 2: Hospital of the Future series) Learn how healthcare competition is transforming (www.advisory.com/healthcarecompetition)