Becker’s Payer Issues Podcast

Earlier Signals, Better Outcomes: Rethinking Risk Stratification for New Members 24.06.2026 12min

In this episode, Karla Mills, Vice President of Product Innovation, Surescripts, discusses how health plans can use medication data as an early signal to identify risk, prioritize new members, and improve care management. She shares practical strategies for preparing ahead of enrollment surges and leveraging existing programs to drive better outcomes and operational performance. For more information, please check out our website: https://surescripts.com/who-we-serve/health-plans

Medicaid, Food as Medicine, and the Future of Coverage with Kelly Munson 19.06.2026 22min

In this episode, Kelly Munson, President and CEO of Independence Health Group, discusses the evolving Medicaid and ACA landscape, the impact of policy changes on coverage and affordability, and the role of managed care in improving health outcomes. She also shares insights on food as medicine, healthcare innovation, and leadership lessons from becoming the organization's first female CEO.

Using Data and AI to Improve Care Coordination with Liz Signorella 16.06.2026 5min

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Liz Signorella, Senior Director of Payor Contracting, Clover Health. She discusses reducing administrative burdens for providers, leveraging AI and real-time data to support proactive care, and improving patient outcomes through stronger care coordination and earlier intervention.In collaboration with Hippocratic AI.

Tackling Healthcare Affordability Through Innovative Funding Models with Morgan Kendrick 11.06.2026 12min

In this episode, Morgan Kendrick, EVP and President, Commercial Health Benefits, Elevance Health, discusses the rising cost pressures facing employers and explores how balanced funding, self-funding, and multiple employer welfare arrangements can help improve affordability while simplifying healthcare benefits for businesses and their employees.

America’s Health Rankings Senior Report: Key Trends in Healthy Aging with Rhonda Randall, DO 09.06.2026 21min

In this episode, Rhonda Randall, DO, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare, Commercial Business, Board member of the United Health Foundation, discusses findings from the America’s Health Rankings 2026 Senior Report, highlighting encouraging gains in preventive care and physical activity alongside rising concerns around drug deaths, suicide, and food insecurity among older adults.

Sharon Williams on Member Experience, Healthcare Access, and Smarter Payer Technology 05.06.2026 7min

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Sharon Williams, Chief Executive Officer, and Management Consultant, University of Michigan Health Plan. Sharon shares insights on balancing rising utilization costs with member experience, the role of technology and data integration in improving care coordination, and why expanding access to healthcare coverage is critical to building a healthier America.In collaboration with Hippocratic AI.

Rethinking Risk Adjustment and Payer Provider Alignment in Value-Based Care 03.06.2026 17min

In this episode, Carey Ketelsen, President of Virtix Health, joins the podcast to discuss how healthcare organizations are transforming risk adjustment through prospective outreach, AI-enabled workflows, and stronger payer-provider collaboration. She shares insights on improving documentation integrity, aligning incentives, and building patient-centered risk adjustment programs that support long-term success in value-based care.

Rethinking Health Plan Design Through Access, AI, and Preventive Care with Adam Park 02.06.2026 6min

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Adam Park, Director of Network Development, Curative Health Plan, who discusses how Curative is redesigning employer-sponsored healthcare by removing financial barriers to care and investing in prevention. He also shares how AI is improving credentialing, prior authorization, and member support while helping create faster, more personalized healthcare experiences.In collaboration with Hippocratic AI.

AI, Interoperability, and Member Experience in Modern Payer Operations with Cara Wahmann 01.06.2026 7min

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Cara Wahmann, Executive Director Clinical Oversight & Ops Support, HCSC, who discusses how health plans are navigating rising complexity across regulation, digital transformation, and member expectations. She also shares insights on using interoperability and AI to reduce administrative friction, digitize clinical policies, and improve consistency, personalization, and outcomes across payer operations.In collaboration with Hippocratic AI.

Using Data and AI to Drive Proactive Member Care 29.05.2026 8min

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Patrick Stevenson, Vice President, Data and Technology, McLaren Health Plan. Patrick discusses how McLaren Health Plan is leveraging predictive analytics, AI, and proactive care strategies to improve member outcomes, streamline prior authorization, and better manage risk in today’s evolving payer landscape.In collaboration with Hippocratic AI.

Building Trust and Member Engagement in Medicare Advantage with Garfield Collins 29.05.2026 17min

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Garfield Collins, Co-Founder and Chief Administrative and Partnership Officer, Zing Health. Garfield shares how Zing Health is balancing affordability with high-touch member engagement, leveraging technology and AI to support chronically ill populations, simplify care navigation, and build long-term trust with members.In collaboration with Hippocratic AI.

Navigating Risk Adjustment Data Validation (RADV) Audits with Confidence, and the Costs of Unsupported Diagnoses 28.05.2026 21min

In this episode, Dave DeHommel, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Payer Solutions at Reveleer, discusses how Medicare Advantage plans can reduce RADV audit exposure through stronger clinical data infrastructure, prospective risk adjustment strategies, and year-round documentation readiness. Visit https://www.reveleer.com/solutions/radv-audit?utm_source=beckers&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=260402--radv-b2g1 to learn more.

Using Data and AI to Drive Proactive Member Care 27.05.2026 8min

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Patrick Stevenson, Vice President, Data and Technology, McLaren Health Plan. Patrick discusses how McLaren Health Plan is leveraging predictive analytics, AI, and proactive care strategies to improve member outcomes, streamline prior authorization, and better manage risk in today’s evolving payer landscape.In collaboration with Hippocratic AI.

Navigating Medicare Advantage, AI & Member Experience with Rob Hitchcock 26.05.2026 12min

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Rob Hitchcock, President and Chief Executive Officer, Select Health. Rob discusses the operational pressures facing payers today, including Medicare Advantage challenges and rising pharmaceutical costs, while sharing how Select Health is leveraging AI and end-to-end member insights to improve care coordination, trust, and the overall member experience.In collaboration with Hippocratic AI.

Building Trust Through Culture, Community & AI-Enabled Member Engagement with Andy Higgins 25.05.2026 7min

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Andy Higgins, Vice President, Product And Member Engagement, Clever Care Health Plan. Andy shares how Clever Care is building trust through culturally competent care, community-based member engagement, and AI-enabled support tools that enhance human interaction while improving quality outcomes and member experience.In collaboration with Hippocratic AI.

Rakesh Mathew, MS, MBA, CPHIMS, Interoperability Leader at Jefferson Health Plans 24.05.2026 27min

In this episode, Rakesh Mathew, MS, MBA, CPHIMS, Interoperability Leader at Jefferson Health Plans, joins the podcast to discuss the financial pressures facing payers and how sustained losses can reduce competition and lead to market consolidation. He shares perspectives on improving affordability and access, and outlines how organizations can prepare for success in 2027 through stronger interoperability and strategic planning.

Ilan Shapiro, MD, MBA, FAAP, FACHE, Chief Health Correspondent and Medical Affairs Officer and Senior Vice President at AltaMed Health Services 23.05.2026 18min

In this episode, Ilan Shapiro, MD, MBA, FAAP, FACHE, Chief Health Correspondent and Medical Affairs Officer and Senior Vice President at AltaMed Health Services, joins the podcast to discuss breaking language barriers in healthcare and closing gaps between patients and providers. He shares how improving communication and cultural understanding can lead to better access, stronger relationships, and improved health outcomes.

Reimagining Proactive and Personalized Health Coverage with Michael Roan 22.05.2026 8min

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Michael Roan, Market Lead, South Atlantic Markets, Oscar Health. He discusses innovative plan design, proactive care strategies, and how Oscar Health is leveraging AI and personalized member experiences to improve outcomes, reduce barriers to care, and support long-term health engagement.In collaboration with Hippocratic AI.

How AI and Proactive Care Models Are Transforming Medicare Advantage with Damanjeet Chaubey 21.05.2026 16min

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Damanjeet Chaubey, Vice President, Clinical Affairs, Clover Health. She discusses how Clover Health is using AI, clinical decision support, and home-based care models to improve member outcomes, reduce costs through proactive interventions, and support care teams without adding administrative burden.In collaboration with Hippocratic AI.

Redefining Member Engagement and AI in Health Insurance with Chris Gay 20.05.2026 6min

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring 2026 Payer Issues Roundtable features Chris Gay, Chief Executive Officer, Evry Health and Pendral. He discusses rebuilding trust between payers and members, using AI voice technology to improve engagement and care coordination, and how innovative plan design and digital tools can help lower costs while enhancing the member experience.In collaboration with Hippocratic AI.