Podcast
Broken Benefits
Hosted by Lee Lewis · EN
Whether you are the benefits manager or CEO of your organization, one of the biggest drivers of organizational performance, that most get totally wrong, is the health and benefits strategy. We spend billions on benefits, yet healthcare is unaffordable and complicated. More than half of Americans don't even take their paid vacation, yet people are burning out faster than ever and remote work is scrambling company cultures.
It doesn't have to be this way! Great benefits can attract and retain top talent, communicate your values, rejuvenate your productivity, move your stock price, and even save lives.
Lee knows this because he advised and learned from many Fortune 100 employers on how to create wildly profitable and popular benefits programs that enhance all areas of the business. Lee created this podcast in the hopes that together we can save lives, save dollars, and save our talent.
Join us, each episode, on YouTube or your favorite podcasting platform for some great conversation with some of the world's leading experts in this space.
25episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
It Ain't All About Spend (Ft. Sheila Savageau)
Jul 3, 202400:53:04Tap to summarizeIn the latest episode of Broken Benefits, we are honored to welcome Sheila Savageau, the dynamic head of Benefits and Compensation at General MotorsFebruary 2022, Sheila Savageau received a package on her doorstep for the 2022 Helen Darling Award, one of the most prestigious awards in health care, recently awarded to our company and health care team. But for Sheila, our company’s global health and well-being leader, it was much more than an accolade. “When I opened that box and looked at the award, I saw my daughter’s reflection,” she said. “And when I think about our journey as a family, I can’t help but to be emotional.” Five years ago, Sheila’s healthy 15-year-old daughter became chronically affected with seizures and was diagnosed with epilepsy. That life-changing moment made Sheila’s work in health care even more personal. “I am deeply passionate about people and all aspects of their well-being,” Savageau continued. “And that passion is lit by the fire of my daughter’s health care journey. I refer to it as ‘Jenna’s Journey.’” While advocating for her daughter’s health care, Sheila found her purpose. She was inspired to think about how she would do things differently. On many days, Sheila would sit in doctors’ offices or hospitals, pen and paper in hand, journaling about her experience and what she would change to deliver a health care option that could better support patients and their family members — their care advocates. Nearly seven years later, in partnership with GM’s Global Business Solution People Services, legal, finance and purchasing groups, our health care benefits team introduced ConnectedCare, a health care option that offers value-based medical care through a connected network of local providers who work together to deliver high-quality care, at the right time and place. Join us as we delve into Sheila's fascinating story, exploring her challenges, triumphs, and the invaluable insights she's gained along the way.Chapters:0:00 - Cold open0:40 - Introducing Sheila Savageau to the show1:36 - Sheila's Story from Her Perspective5:06 - Partnerships and How To Navigate Them15:20 - Patient Choice of Healthcare22:43 - Providers and Employers30:00 - The Importance of Trust33:32 - Data to Spot Areas of Concern38:44 - Where Changes Will Come From43:29 - Ways to Build Trust 48:10 - Product Side Enrollment 52:12 - How to get in touch with Sheila to learn more52:37 - Closing remarksConnect with Lee Lewis:LinkedIn
Transcribe →Transitioning Industries and Making an Impact (Feat: Elena Bueno-Gonzalez)
May 21, 202400:49:23Tap to summarizeIn the latest episode of Broken Benefits, we are honored to welcome Elena Bueno-Gonzalez, the dynamic Vice President of Energy Marketing & Trading at Florida Power & Light. Elena's incredible journey from Venezuela to becoming a leading figure in the U.S. energy industry is nothing short of inspiring.Arriving in the United States at the age of 21 and learning English as her second language, Elena's dedication and talent led her to excel in Mathematics. Her expertise and determination propelled her into the world of commodities trading, where she now oversees critical operations for one of the largest energy companies in the nation.But Elena's accomplishments don't stop there. In a surprising career twist, she took on the challenge of managing Health and Welfare Benefits, achieving remarkable results in a short period. Her unique perspective and innovative approach brought significant improvements, showcasing her versatile leadership skills.Join us as we delve into Elena's fascinating story, exploring her challenges, triumphs, and the invaluable insights she's gained along the way.Chapters:0:00 - Cold open0:40 - Introducing Elena Bueno-Gonzalez to the show1:56 - The big transition in her career and moving into Health and Welfare Benefits5:06 - The first challenges Elena wanted to tackle in her new role11:10 - Convincing other leaders she was the right person for the job15:43 - Leveraging her relationship with the TPA to empower her people19:32 - Negotiating with the networks26:52 - Advice to someone in similar shoes32:54 - Designing a plan that made it easy for people to find quality care38:19 - Identifying the risks associated with your strategic decisions42:55 - Embracing the awkward nature of going back to the incumbent option48:06 - How to get in touch with Elena to learn more48:50 - Closing remarksConnect with Lee Lewis:LinkedIn
Transcribe →Leading a Fortune 500 Health Plan (Feat: Barbara Flitsch)
May 8, 202400:49:47Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Broken Benefits, we delve into the intricate world of health care solutions with a seasoned expert, Barbara Flitsch. With years of experience at the helm of a Fortune 500 health plan, Barbara brings invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities within the industry.Join us as we explore Barbara's journey, from her early days in the field to her current role at the helm of innovation. From navigating regulatory hurdles to addressing the evolving needs of consumers, Barbara shares firsthand accounts of the complexities inherent in managing a large-scale health plan.Through candid discussions and real-world examples, Barbara sheds light on the strategies and tactics she employs to stay ahead in an ever-changing landscape. Whether it's implementing new technologies or fostering collaboration across departments, her approach offers a blueprint for success in an industry ripe for transformation.Chapters:0:00 - Cold open0:40 - Introduction and overview on the topic of the day1:32 - Barbara's background in Health Care and the impact employers have on American Health Care4:25 - What health plans should be doing 8:25 - Pushing new innovations through despite pushback16:42 - Tactics to improve communications and feedback 20:30 - Which key questions are more important than others?27:40 - How to solve issues without a big staff or budget34:35 - Some of the biggest risks in Barbara's career40:01 - Health Care can be a game of inches46:05 - Exciting endeavors Barbara is focusing on right now48:28 - How to connect with Barbara online and learn more49:10 - Closing remarksConnect with Lee Lewis:LinkedIn
Transcribe →Embracing Scrutiny and Navigating Innovation (Feat: Pat Pitsch)
Apr 8, 202400:48:46Tap to summarizeIn this illuminating episode of Broken Benefits, we delve deep into the dynamic world of healthcare innovation with a true trailblazer, Pat Pitsch. As a distinguished Medical Benefits Expert, Pat brings a wealth of experience and insight to the table, offering a captivating narrative of her journey through the labyrinth of the healthcare industry.Join us as we explore the challenges and triumphs that have defined Pat's career, and how she has fearlessly tackled obstacles to drive innovation in her field. From navigating complex regulations to revolutionizing traditional practices, Pat's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and innovation in the face of adversity.Throughout our conversation, Pat shares invaluable lessons learned and strategies for thriving in an ever-evolving landscape. We explore the importance of embracing scrutiny as a catalyst for growth, and how it can fuel innovation by challenging the status quo. Drawing from her own experiences, Pat offers practical insights on harnessing feedback and criticism to drive meaningful change and propel the healthcare industry forward.Chapters:0:00 - Cold open1:05 - Welcoming Pat Pitsch to the show2:48 - Working as part of a Berkshire Hathaway company4:24 - Getting multiple employers to come together in a unified sense10:36 - How benefits leaders can get more involved and make a difference in their organization13:52 - What can be done to rally employers together20:48 - Paying too much in rebates throughout the year30:54 - How to educate a massive employee base who doesn't want to be educated34:51 - What years four and five look like after implementing changes41:13 - When diagnosis and surgeries don't align44:27 - A story of Pat fixing a big issue during her career47:18 - How to get in touch with Pat to learn more48:00 - Closing remarksConnect with Lee Lewis:LinkedIn
Transcribe →Leveraging Data and Maximizing Value for Employees (Feat: Candace Jodice)
Feb 20, 202400:53:30Tap to summarizeOn the latest episode of Broken Benefits, we're thrilled to welcome a true expert at her craft. Candace Jodice, Former CVS Health Executive, brings over 20 years experience managing a health plan of over 300,000 people and expenditures in excess of $4 billion annually. We dive into the intricacies of managing benefits inside of a PBM, as well as the importance behind leveraging the data to generate the highest level of value for those inside a health plan. Enjoy!Chapters:0:00 - Cold open1:48 - Welcoming Candace Jodice to the show4:49 - How contracts are structured when you're essentially negotiating with yourself8:28 - How do you become an educated consumer of medical care13:19 - Being able to see new products and programs coming about before others21:28 - Dealing with a situation when 'everyone is an expert'27:42 - How Candace measured if her benefits were being appreciated or enjoyed32:17 - The importance of flexibility within your health plan40:11 - The market optimization strategy that Candace leveraged44:50 - Analyzing your data and drawing important details 48:19 - Advice to a new benefits leader to make a quick impact52:20 - How to connect with Candace online53:00 - Closing remarksConnect with Lee Lewis:LinkedIn
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