This episode features an interview with Michael Menerey, Senior Vice President of Alliant Insurance Services. He currently oversees and manages the Los Angeles employee benefits team and is focused on new business development and recruiting and developing talented team members. Michael has been with Alliant for over 20 years in various roles such as Vice President and Benefits Consultant. In 2021, he was named by Risk & Insurance Magazine as a 2021 Power Broker® Award Recipient for Employee Benefits. In this episode, Sasha sits down with Michael to discuss the broken aspects of the traditional healthcare system, the lack of price transparency and quality metrics in healthcare services, and the necessity of tailored communication strategies for different workforce demographics.

This episode features an interview with Brian Olsen, Partner of Employee Benefits at Sterling Seacrest Pritchard. Brian is an experienced Client Advisor specializing in creative employee benefits strategies to mitigate risks of health plans for companies ranging from 50 to 5,000 employees. His expertise resides in data management solutions and analysis, pharmacy cost containment, and complex contract negotiations. In this episode, Sasha and Brian discuss the intricacies of working in the TPA space, the importance of clinical data in managing healthcare costs, and how to advise clients on network selection, PBMs, and stop-loss insurance strategies.

This episode features an interview with Kristen Jordan, Benefits and Wellness Manager at Chime. She is responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of various programs that enhance employee well-being and satisfaction. Kristen has a proven track record for designing and managing benefit plans, wellness initiatives, and vendor relationships that align with the company's vision and values. In this episode, Sasha sits down with Kristen to discuss the importance of benefits education, customized wellness programs, and the impact of a leave of absence management tool.

This episode features an interview with Doug Ramsthel and Jaclyn Rielly of Burnham Benefits. Doug serves as the Executive Vice President and Partner of Employee Benefits, and Jaclyn is the Vice President of the Irvine Office. In this episode, Sasha, Doug, and Jaclyn discuss how the shift in pharmacy is affecting employers and members, the rising trend of GLP-1s, and why covering gene therapy drugs is important.

This episode features an interview with Dr. Smita Das, Vice President of Psychiatry and Complex Care at Lyra Health. Smita is board certified in psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and addiction medicine and has over 20 years of research experience. Previously, she served as President of an American Psychiatric Association District Branch and chair of the APA's Council on Addiction Psychiatry. Smita is also a clinical associate professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford School of Medicine. In this episode, Sasha and Smita dive into Lyra Health’s Complex Care Program, how the conversation around sobriety is changing, and how addiction and mental health psychiatry differ and intertwine.

This episode features an interview with Dr. Matt Resnick, Chief Medical Officer at Embold Health. He is a member of the founding executive team and led the development of measurement and analytic stacks. Today, he is responsible for growth and all go-to-market functions, leading a team in developing strategy and building products that align with market demands and deliver exceptional value. In this episode, Sasha sits down with Matt to discuss the importance of quality care measurement, how it can benefit both employees and employers, and how measurement tools change based on patient age.

This episode features an interview with Dan Hodges, Senior Vice President of Employee Benefits at Woodruff Sawyer, where he provides strategic consultation and counseling to clients on their employee benefits programs. Dan has over 25 years of experience consulting a large cross section of employers including those in healthcare, not-for-profit, high-tech, service, and hospitality. He is also an expert in self-funding, consumerism, and HSA style plans. In this episode, Sasha and Dan discuss transitioning to self-funded health plans, choosing a TPA versus an ASO, and the future of employer benefits.

This episode features an interview with Jessica Lea, founder and CEO of Tria Health. Jessica is passionate about pharmacists providing patient-centered care to improve the health outcomes of patients. She has a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, maintains board certification in psychiatric pharmacy, and has an Executive Masters in Business from Rockhurst University. Jessica is a healthcare innovator and has been recognized as one of the PharmaVOICE100. In this episode, Sasha sits down with Jessica to discuss the revolutionary study of pharmacogenomics, the craze around weight loss drugs, and how Tria Health supports its members.

This episode features an interview with Michael Caussin, former NFL tight end and New York Times bestselling author. Mike became a licensed health advisor in 2023 and helps individuals and families find the health coverage they need. In this episode, Sasha and Mike get back to the basics of healthcare. They discuss why healthcare education is so important, how to navigate life events, and what people don’t know about coverage options.

Welcome to The Benefits Playbook podcast! We have a really exciting announcement: a new season is on its way! Last season, we had the privilege of sitting down with some of the best minds in employee healthcare including benefits leaders, brokers, and consultants. They shared expert advice on creating a winning benefits strategy. Everything from how to build an inclusive benefits program, to making the leap to self-funding, to delivering a great member experience. If you haven’t tuned in yet, catch season 1 wherever you listen to podcasts. Our second season is bringing some new voices into the mix, including Tria Health’s Jessica Lea, NFL player turned Licensed Health Advisor, Mike Caussin, and our very own CEO and Co-founder, Ali Diab. We’ll cover why understanding the basics of health benefits plans is important for members, we’ll dive deep into AI and how it’s influencing our industry, and we’ll explore revolutionary fields of medical and pharmacy study. Join us for season 2 of The Benefits Playbook, brought to you by Collective Health.