Advertise on podcast: The Phia Group's Podcast

In this edition of the Empowering Plans podcast, Brian O’Hara and Alex Houle of The Phia Group’s Provider Relations department discuss advancements in Artificial Intelligence, how it is being utilized in healthcare, and the ways providers and health plans are using AI to manage NSA dispute resolution.

In this episode, Garrick Hunt and attorney Kelly Dempsey discuss AI entering the self-funding playing field. From claims administration to the liabilities that may fall on plans and their TPAs, there’s so much to discuss and unfortunately a lot of unknowns. Take a listen and share your thoughts and feedback, which might allow Garrick to make another guest appearance on a Part 2 episode on AI and self-funding.

In this episode of the Empowering Plans podcast, we examine real-world claims that spiraled into appeals, IDR proceedings, provider disputes, participant complaints, and potential litigation in order to demonstrate that a plan can make all the right decisions but still end up in the wrong place. Attorneys Jon Jablon and John Gresh discuss why strong plan language and a defensible rationale are only part of the equation, and why clear communications, careful documentation, timely administration, and early identification of potential problems have become more important than ever.

Tune in for an update from The Phia Group’s CLO, Ron Peck. He’ll bring you up to speed on Phia’s efforts to tackle the hottest topics each month, while also exploring how third-party liability may be contributing to denial and appeal headaches. All while, of course, harassing our podcast producer. Tune in and tune up with Professor Peck!

What separates a denial that withstands judicial scrutiny from one that does not? In this episode, Cindy Merrell explores the key considerations courts may evaluate when reviewing challenged denials. From investigating the facts to clearly articulating the basis for a decision, this episode identifies practical steps that can help administrators improve outcomes and mitigate litigation exposure.

In this week's episode of the Empowering Plans podcast, attorneys Brady Bizarro and Brian O'Hara break down the Third Circuit's recent decision in Ahn v. Cigna and what it means for ERISA preemption and explanation of benefits (EOB) language.

On this episode of the Empowering Plans podcast series, Attorneys Kelly Dempsey and Naga Vivekanandan discuss recent 340B litigation filed by three major hospital systems. They explain how the 340B program works and summarize the allegations in the lawsuit, as well as explore what these cases could mean for contract pharmacy arrangements and self-funded plans.

On this episode of the Empowering Plans podcast series, attorneys Jen McCormick and Nick Bonds talk through some of the pressures self-funded plans face from every direction -- rising member costs, PBM opacity, shifting coverage models, and instability in the individual market. The plans that respond well are those with clear governance and the ability to keep track of who decides, who communicates, who monitors, and who holds the risk. Containing costs requires a well-run plan; a well-run plan requires good governance.

On this week's Empowering Plans Podcast, attorneys Ron Peck and Nick Bonds discuss the growing popularity of alternative healthcare arrangements. What's driving interest in these alternatives? What financial pressures are fueling their growth? Can they deliver on their promise? In a landscape of ever-increasing healthcare costs, these arrangements often offer a more affordable alternative to traditional coverage, but in exchange plans and participants can be left holding more risk than they realize. Be informed before you roll the dice! The Phia Group is here to help.

In this installment of The Phia Group’s Empowering Plans podcast, attorneys Kendall Jackson and Jon Jablon break down the Medicare Secondary Payer Act and what it means for self-funded group health plans. From prohibited incentives to noncompliant plan language, and the surprisingly thin line between educating and encouraging employees about Medicare, this episode covers the compliance pitfalls that plan sponsors, TPAs, and brokers sometimes overlook when trying to be cost-conscious.

Join attorneys Cindy Merrell and Bryan Dunton as they take a deep dive into real-world cases involving the No Surprises Act. Cindy and Bryan break down how the Act is being applied, highlight common issues and pitfalls, and discuss what these cases mean for payors, providers, and other stakeholders navigating these billing disputes.

It is time again for the fastest 20 minutes in podcasting as Cindy Merrell and Corey Crigger take over the Empowering Plans podcast to preview The Kentucky Derby. Don’t worry, this podcast isn’t solely about horse racing! Cindy and Corey also discuss two big news items that affect the healthcare industry – litigation surrounding Roundup and a major article in the New York Times about the No Surprises Act. Don’t be left in the dust. Tune in to hear their insights into healthcare and  horse racing prognostication!

As a follow-up to this past January’s podcast episode on tobacco surcharges, new litigation has been filing and this time, it’s on a much larger scale. Humana is facing a class-action lawsuit, filed on March 17, 2026, alleging violations of the wellness program rules and fiduciary duties related to tobacco surcharge as part of a wellness program. Join attorneys Kelly Dempsey and Naga Vivekanandan as they compare this new suit to prior cases, and explain why this is different and what it could mean for future ligation and plans’ continuing struggles to comply with wellness program rules.

On this week’s Empowering Plans Podcast, Attorneys Jen McCormick and Nick Bonds talk through a federal district court case out of Massachusetts that has put a preliminary pause on vaccine recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) – and why the case has broader potential implications than it may initially appear. They break down what happened, why the court intervened, and what this means for self-funded health plans’ obligations under the ACA’s preventive care mandate.

On this episode of the Empowering Plans podcast, attorney Ron Peck engages in a one-on-one discussion with YOU, regarding two of the “hottest” topics being discussed on the road.  Don’t be left out; tune in now!