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In this episode of Captivating Health Insights, host Maddison Bezdicek sits down with Brian Shonat and Giorgio Vescera of Navion to explore how the growing use of biosimilars is changing the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) landscape and the way employers evaluate pharmacy costs. The conversation explores the relationship among lower upfront drug costs, rebates, formulary design, member cost sharing, PBM contracting, and rebate credit language. Through practical examples, Shonat and Vescera explain how different PBM strategies can affect an employer’s true net cost and why understanding utilization, contract terms, and formulary decisions is increasingly important as biosimilar adoption grows. They also share key questions employers can ask to better evaluate their PBM strategy and determine whether it aligns with their plan’s needs. Chapters (00:00:38) - Introduction & Meet the Guests(00:04:00) - What is a Biosimilar? Basic Definitions(00:05:23) - Humira and Stelara: Market Background(00:08:31) - Rethinking Rebates and Cash Flow Changes(00:11:01) - High WAC vs Low WAC Biosimilar Strategies(00:12:33) - Formulary Design and Adoption Rates(00:14:36) - Why the Shift Is Accelerating Now(00:19:04) - Evaluating Your PBM Fit and Utilization(00:20:18) - Annual Review and Contract Flexibility(00:22:43) - Contract Language and Rebate Credit Clauses(00:25:18) - How Rebate Clawbacks Are Calculated(00:27:04) - Avoiding Double-Counting Savings(00:31:41) - Calculating True Net Cost(00:35:11) - Key Questions for Employers at Renewal(00:37:14) - Closing Thoughts: Ask Questions, Stay Curious

In this episode of Captivating Health Insights, host Maddison Bezdicek continues her conversation with Ryan Picarella, Executive Director of the Wellness Alliance, to explore how employers can turn workplace well-being strategy into action using the Wellness Alliance’s seven benchmarks. The conversation explores leadership alignment, collaboration, data, operating plans, program implementation, workplace culture, and ongoing evaluation. Through practical examples, Picarella shows how employers can use the framework to identify priorities, build organizational support, measure progress, and continuously adapt their approach to create sustainable well-being strategies that advance both employee well-being and organizational success. Chapters (00:00:00) - Wellness Is a Shared Organizational Responsibility(00:00:52) - Introduction to the Seven Benchmarks Framework(00:01:34) - Benchmark 1: Committed and Aligned Leadership(00:06:46) - Benchmark 2: Collaboration and Supportive Wellness(00:12:49) - Benchmark 3: Collecting Data to Drive Decisions(00:17:02) - Benchmark 4: Building an Operating Plan(00:19:25) - Benchmark 5: Putting the Strategy Into Action(00:22:14) - Extra: Start Small and Build Trust(00:24:39) - Benchmark 6: Creating a Healthy Culture and Environment(00:27:46) - Benchmark 7: Evaluating, Communicating, and Improving(00:30:14) - Closing & Using the Scorecard to Guide Progress

In this episode of Captivating Health Insights, host Maddison Bezdicek sits down with Ryan Picarella, Executive Director of the Wellness Alliance, to discuss how employers can rethink employee well-being by moving beyond traditional wellness programs and creating workplace cultures that support both employees and organizational success. The conversation explores leadership engagement, organizational culture, employee feedback, change management, business performance, and practical strategies for building sustainable well-being initiatives. Through real-world examples, Picarella shares how organizations can create healthier workplaces that strengthen employee engagement, improve business outcomes, and help people thrive. Chapters (00:00:00) - Why Old Wellness Programs Got a Bad Rap(00:02:02) - Ryan’s Journey Into Workplace Well-being(00:04:10) - The Legacy of WELCOA and Workplace Wellness(00:05:29) - The Wellness Alliance Today(00:11:31) - Where to Start With a Modern Well-being Strategy(00:12:06) - The Hard Hat Story: Safety, Family, and Belonging(00:13:31) - Why Nobody Used the Fitness Center(00:15:21) - Culture Is the Secret Sauce(00:16:39) - Where Employers Get Wellness Wrong(00:18:32) - Don't Assume what Employees Want(00:22:16) - Measure the Right Things(00:23:40) - The First Two Questions Employers Should Ask(00:25:20) - Why Wellness Efforts Fail Before They Start(00:27:01) - What If Employers Spent Just 1% on Wellness?(00:28:38) - Final Takeaway: Culture Can Make or Break Wellness

In this episode of Captivating Health Insights, host Maddison Bezdicek sits down with Max Osbun, Executive Vice President of Client Success and Development at FEDlogic, to discuss how employers can help employees navigate the complex landscape of federal and state benefit programs. Drawing on personal experience and years of helping organizations support employees through major life events, Osbun explains how programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security Disability, veterans' benefits, and other government resources can improve financial well-being while reducing unnecessary healthcare costs. The conversation covers benefit navigation, healthcare affordability, employee advocacy, compliance, communication strategies, and the role employers can play in connecting employees with valuable resources they may not realize are available. Through practical examples and real-world insights, Osbun illustrates how expanding access to existing federal and state benefits can strengthen employee support, improve workforce well-being, and create meaningful value for both employees and employers. Chapters (00:01:34) - The Hidden Value of Federal and State Benefits(00:01:54) - Getting to Know Max Osbun from FedLogic(00:03:06) - Welcome and Episode Introduction(00:04:09) - Why Employees Struggle to Access Benefits(00:05:26) - FedLogic's Origin Story(00:07:48) - Disability, Compassionate Allowances, and State Programs(00:10:23) - Social Determinants, ROI, and VOI(00:16:13) - Compliance and the Expert Team Model(00:18:18) - Who Is Covered and How Employee Engagement Works(00:21:13) - Common Life Events and Retirement Navigation(00:24:13) - Misunderstood High-Cost Situations: Premature Babies and ESRD(00:31:05) - Marketplace, COBRA, and Employee Choice(00:33:38) - Driving Engagement, Embedding Processes, and Final Takeaways

Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction(00:00:57) - Meet Pete and Windy from Duncan-Parnell(00:06:42) - Duncan Parnell's History and Workforce(00:08:22) - The Journey from Fully Insured to Self-Funded to Captive(00:10:25) - First Impressions of the CRI Captive Experience(00:12:55) - Building a Healthcare Strategy Around Wellness and Advocacy(00:19:35) - Adding Direct Primary Care and Connecting the Strategy(00:21:58) - Sharing Plan Savings Through Premium Holidays(00:23:30) - CFO and HR Collaboration: Measuring ROI and Driving Engagement(00:34:39) - What’s Next: GLP-1s, Captive Growth, and Final Advice

In this episode of Captivating Health Insights, host Maddison Bezdicek welcomes back Dave Gillis, Managing Director, Medical Stop Loss; Joe Parrilli, Chief Business Officer, Health Solutions; and Kevin Hallen, Managing Director, Health Solutions, for a live Ask Us Anything session following the three-part Health Captive Fundamentals series. Together, they answer real-world questions from employers and advisors, covering key topics such as eligibility, customization, reporting, and stakeholder involvement. The discussion highlights how captives operate in practice — emphasizing flexibility in plan design, transparency through financial and claims reporting, and a more collaborative, strategic approach to managing healthcare costs. The group also addresses common misconceptions, explains how captives integrate with existing health plans, and explores how employers, Chief Financial Officers, and consultants play a more active role in ongoing performance. Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction to the Ask Us Anything Episode(00:02:19) - Q1 - How customizable is a captive arrangement?(00:04:20) - Q2 - What reporting cadence should employers expect once inside a group captive?(00:05:00) - Q3 - What is one operational surprise employers experience after joining?(00:06:56) - Q4 - What would surprise most CFOs about captives?(00:09:51) - Q5 - How many employees need to be on the health plan for the captive solution to make sense?(00:11:05) - Q6 - What kind of claims history do employers need to share up front?(00:14:43) - Q7 - What internal stakeholders need to be involved before moving forward with a captive arrangement?(00:17:07) - Q8 - What role does a broker or consultant play once an employer joins a captive?(00:20:16) - Q9 - How do captives handle high-cost claimants from year to year?(00:23:50) - Q10 - Do I set up a separate bank account when starting a captive?(00:26:04) - Q11 - What if we have a terrible experience in the captive - can we go back to fully insured?(00:28:07) - Q12 - What questions do you get from brokers or in the field that are important to repeat?(00:28:29) - Q13 - How much of a time commitment is joining the captive?(00:29:55) - Q14 - How can employers impact health claims the way they impact casualty claims?(00:31:02) - Q15 - How does CRI support brokers and consultants with the healthcare ecosystem?

In this episode of Captivating Health Insights, host Maddison Bezdicek sits down with Kevin Hallen, Managing Director, Health Solutions at Captive Resources, to conclude a captive education mini-series focused on captive structure. Kevin explains how health captives function as member-owned insurance vehicles within a self-funded model supported by stop-loss coverage and a shared reinsurance layer. He outlines how risk is structured across layers and explains the differences between pooled and risk-reward models. The conversation also explores how governance through board participation provides transparency and control, how captives help stabilize renewals and reduce exposure to market volatility, and why structure plays a key role in long-term performance. Kevin emphasizes the importance of education and alignment, highlighting how employers can evaluate whether a captive structure fits their goals, risk tolerance, and overall healthcare strategy. Chapters (00:00:00) - Why Employers Should Explore Captives(00:00:42) - Episode Introduction + Guest Background(00:02:02) - From Casualty to Health Captives: The Origin Story(00:03:30) - The Reality of Healthcare Costs(00:03:45) - What Is a Captive? (Simple Explanation)(00:04:49) - “If You’ve Seen One Captive…” (Types of Structures)(00:05:27) - Governance & Member Ownership(00:06:16) - Breaking Down Captive Layers (Pooled vs Risk/Reward)(00:08:31) - Choosing the Right Captive Structure(00:10:12) - Risk Layers, Protection & Renewal Advantage(00:12:06) - Financial Mechanics: Deductibles & Profit Distribution(00:16:57) - What Makes Captive Resources Captives Different(00:20:10) - Who Is (and Isn’t) a Fit + Getting Started(00:23:47) - Inside the Captive: Community & Engagement(00:26:28) - The Mindset Shift + Future of Captives

In this episode of Captivating Health Insights, host Maddison Bezdicek sits down with Joe Parrilli, Chief Business Officer, Health Solutions at Captive Resources, to continue a captive education mini-series focused on traditional versus captive stop loss. Joe explains stop loss as protection against catastrophic claims and outlines how the captive model differs by providing greater transparency into premium allocation, risk sharing, and financial performance. The conversation addresses common misconceptions around pricing, highlights how captives are structured to break even with the potential return of surplus, and emphasizes the importance of managing total healthcare spend. Joe also explores how captives shift the focus from an annual shopping stop loss to a more strategic, long-term approach to controlling costs and improving outcomes. Chapters (00:00:00) - Captives vs Traditional Insurance: Why Transparency Matters(00:00:49) - Introduction & Joe Parilli Background(00:03:06) - Stop Loss 101: What It Is & Why It Matters(00:03:40) - Captive vs Traditional Stop Loss(00:04:33) - Common Captive Misconceptions(00:05:23) - Why Self-Funded Employers Join Captives(00:08:06) - Beyond Stop Loss: Managing Total Healthcare Spend(00:09:11) - The Power of the Captive Community(00:14:02) - Stop Loss Shopping vs Strategic Cost Control(00:15:07) - How to Evaluate a Captive (Financial + Strategic)(00:17:26) - Long-Term Strategy & the Future of Captives

In this episode of Captivating Health Insights, host Maddison Bezdicek sits down with Dave Gillis, Managing Director, Medical Stop Loss at Captive Resources, to kick off a captive education mini-series focused on transitioning from fully insured to self-funded health plans. Dave breaks down the foundational components of self-funding, including third-party administrators (TPAs), provider networks, and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), while explaining how captives provide a more structured and supported path into this model. The conversation addresses common misconceptions about risk, outlines how stop-loss and risk-sharing help stabilize costs, and highlights the value of transparency in understanding true healthcare costs. Dave also explores why pharmacy is often a key starting point and how employers can take a phased, strategic approach to managing spend over time. A practical discussion on gaining control, improving outcomes, and building a more sustainable health plan. Chapters (00:00:00) - Mini-Series Introduction & Episode Overview(00:01:42) - Foundations of Self-Funding (TPA, Network, PBM)(00:03:11) - Why Fully Insured Falls Short(00:04:40) - What the Transition to Self-Funding Looks Like(00:06:15) - Market Pressures & Rising Healthcare Costs(00:07:47) - Captives as a More Supportive Model(00:09:14) - Common Misconceptions About Self-Funding(00:11:55) - Transparency: Seeing the True Cost of Care(00:13:44) - Pharmacy Spend as a Key Savings Lever(00:16:17) - How to Compare Costs & Evaluate Financials(00:22:18) - Understanding the Captive & Stop Loss Process(00:29:32) - Future of the Captive Market & Final Thoughts

In this episode of Captivating Health Insights, host Maddison Bezdicek sits down with Kris Atkins, President of Cancer CARE for Life & INTERLINK, and Ashley Urzendowski, MSN-L, RN, CCM, of Cancer CARE for Life & INTERLINK, to explore the growing impact of cancer on employer health plans. With decades of oncology and transplant experience, Kris and Ashley share how specialized cancer management supports employees through one of life’s most difficult diagnoses while helping employers manage rising costs. The conversation covers high-cost oncology drugs, site-of-care optimization, evidence-based treatment review, Centers of Excellence coordination, and the critical role of early detection and prevention. Through real patient stories, they illustrate how the right oversight can prevent unnecessary treatment, reduce complications, and improve return-to-work outcomes. A powerful discussion on delivering compassionate, clinically sound cancer care that protects both people and the plan. Chapters (00:00:00) - Episode Introduction(00:00:53) - Guest Overview(00:01:25) - Backgrounds in Oncology & Program Origins(00:04:18) - Intro to Cancer Care for Life(00:09:07) - Real Patient Stories & Advocacy in Action(00:13:07) - Why Cancer Costs Are Rising(00:14:59) - Drug Costs & Site of Care Strategy(00:19:04) - Challenges with Providers & Care Management(00:23:02) - Employer Strategies: Plan Design & Networks(00:25:28) - Centers of Excellence vs. Local Care(00:31:00) - Supporting Employees Beyond Treatment(00:37:19) - Prevention, Early Detection & Final Takeaways

In this Season 2 kickoff episode of Captivating Health Insights, host Maddison Bezdicek welcomes behavioral scientist and workplace health expert Dr. Claire Muselman for a focused conversation on leadership, wellbeing, and workplace culture. As organizations enter 2026 and navigate burnout, hybrid work realities, and rising mental health needs, the discussion reframes well-being not as a program but as a leadership responsibility. From the energy leaders bring into the workplace to boundaries around email, meetings, and PTO, Dr. Claire explains how everyday behaviors shape employee health, engagement, and trust. The episode explores why modeling healthy habits matters more than policies, how movement and visibility reinforce connection, and why benefits only work when leaders actively use and normalize them. A practical, insight-rich conversation for leaders looking to build healthier people, stronger cultures, and more resilient organizations in the year ahead. Chapters (00:00:00) - Leading for Wellbeing: Why Leadership Energy Matters(00:01:02) - Modeling Health at Work: The Power of Example Over Policy(00:02:52) - Boundaries, Burnout, and the Signals Leaders Send(00:05:36) - Visibility, Trust, and Rethinking Productivity(00:10:45) - Everyday Behaviors That Normalize Wellbeing(00:16:04) - Using Benefits, Resources, and Empathy to Support People(00:19:43) - Starting the Conversation: How Leaders Can Lead for Wellbeing Today

In this year-end episode of Captivating Health Insights, host Maddison Bezdicek breaks down the most significant trends shaping self-funded employer strategies in 2025 — and what’s ahead for 2026. From the surge in high-cost claims to the evolution of virtual primary care, fiduciary risk, GLP-1 sustainability, PBM transparency, and the growing strength of captives, Maddison highlights what’s officially “in,” what’s outdated, and how employers are shifting from reactive oversight to proactive protection. She also recaps expert insights from the year’s top episodes and reveals the topics listeners want to hear next, including cost containment, captives, compliance, and employee well-being. A fast, insightful guide for employers seeking clarity, innovation, and smarter health plan strategies heading into 2026.

In Part 2 of their conversation, Captivating Health Insights host Maddison Bezdicek welcomes back Adam Russo, Co-Founder and CEO of The Phia Group, to discuss fiduciary responsibility—one of the most overlooked and misunderstood obligations for self-funded employers. Russo explains why employers, not TPAs or brokers, ultimately bear the legal responsibility for final-level claim decisions—and how failing to understand this can lead to lawsuits, reputational damage, and regulatory exposure. He shares real-world stories that reveal just how complex claim decisions have become in an era of AI-driven reviews, million-dollar claims, and mounting audit pressure. Russo also explains how Phia’s fiduciary model (PACE) helps employers ensure compliance, transparency, and fairness—protecting both the plan and its members. His message is clear: awareness, data, and expert support are key to staying compliant, compassionate, and protected. Chapters (00:00:55) - Welcome Back: Part Two with Adam Russo(00:01:19) - What Does It Mean to Be a Fiduciary?(00:01:30) - The Million-Dollar Claim Story(00:03:33) - Who Actually Decides If a Claim Is Payable?(00:05:22) - The Birth of PACE: A Fiduciary Solution(00:06:53) - From “Take It Under Advisement” to “How Do I Fix It?”(00:08:04) - Legal Meets Clinical: Making Smart Claim Decisions(00:09:52) - The Rise of Complex Claims and AI Denials(00:12:00) - The Stop-Loss Dilemma(00:13:10) - The $100 Million Claim Era(00:14:00) - The HR Dilemma: When It Gets Personal(00:15:28) - Ignorance Isn’t a Defense(00:16:11) - Captives, TPAs, and Fiduciary Duty(00:17:59) - Knowing You’re Responsible(00:18:58) - Final Takeaways: Don’t Take It Lightly(00:19:07) - Closing Thoughts

In this first installment of a two-part conversation, Captivating Health Insights host Maddison Bezdicek sits down with Adam Russo, Co-Founder and CEO of The Phia Group, to unpack one of the most misunderstood—and increasingly risky—compliance issues for self-funded employers: mental health parity. Russo explains that while parity laws aim to ensure equal access to care, the reality is far more complex. He likens today’s boom in out-of-network mental health facilities to the 1990s prison expansion—driven by profit rather than patient outcomes—leaving employers exposed to excessive claims, DOL audits, and rising costs. Russo urges employers to take a proactive approach by reviewing plan documents, analyzing data, and enhancing communication, so that parity in practice aligns with parity on paper. He also calls for a shift from “innovation” to affordability, noting that “access doesn’t matter if employees can’t afford to use it.” Chapters (00:00:42) - Welcome & Introduction to Adam Russo(00:01:00) - How The Phia Group Began(00:03:19) - Rewriting the Rules of Cost Containment(00:06:34) - Mental Health Parity: The Title IX Analogy(00:09:07) - From Prisons to Parity: A New Industry Boom(00:13:52) - Employers in the Crosshairs(00:14:09) - Root Causes vs. Band-Aid Solutions(00:15:14) - Data Doesn’t Lie: Start With Your Claims(00:18:55) - Why Plan Language Alone Isn’t Enough(00:21:08) - The Engagement Gap(00:23:44) - Access and Affordability: Two Sides of the Same Coin(00:25:36) - Compliance Reality Check(00:29:39) - Affordability Is the New Innovation(00:32:20) - The Pandemic’s Lingering Impact(00:33:39) - A Personal Story: When Mental Health Hits Home(00:35:56) - Proactive Compliance Over Costly Audits(00:38:35) - Appeals, Lawsuits, and Doing the Right Thing(00:42:16) - Final Thoughts: Empowerment Through Education

In this episode of Captivating Health Insights, host Maddison Bezdicek leads a live roundtable with four industry leaders on the future of Medical Stop Loss (MSL) captives: Steve Gransbury, President, Health Solutions at Captive Resources Tara Krauss, President of A&H at QBE North America Brad Nieland, President and CEO at Berkley Accident and Health Jay Ritchie, President and CEO at Tokio Marine HCC – A&H Group   Together, they explore how captives are helping employers navigate rising healthcare costs, manage high-severity claims, and build healthier workforces through collaboration, data sharing, and innovation. The discussion covers key findings from recent market reports, trends in specialty pharmacy and pediatric catastrophic claims, as well as the growing role of AI, analytics, and direct contracting in risk management. Listeners will learn why captives are becoming a mainstream solution for employers seeking long-term stability, proactive engagement, and sustainable performance of their health plans. Chapters (00:00:00) - Captivating Health Insights Podcast Intro(00:01:03) - Meet the Panel(00:01:35) - Intro to Stop Loss and Captives(00:03:57) - Top Underwriters on Cancer and the Future(00:05:35) - Reasons We Need a Catastrophic Medical Reinsurance(00:07:30) - President and CEO of Berkeley Accident and Health Discusses Healthcare and(00:09:01) - Exploring Stop Loss in the Healthcare Market(00:11:14) - Employer groups and their health care coverage(00:13:50) - How Do Captives Help Employers Manage Their Health Plans?(00:15:54) - Exploding specialty pharmacy High Cost Claims(00:22:18) - Broker Perspectives on Group Captives(00:27:32) - Captive Member Performance(00:31:05) - Expert Advice for Moving from Fully-Insured to Self-Funded(00:35:24) - The Need for More Visibility Into Data(00:36:47) - AI and the Future of Health Care(00:44:23) - The Human In the Loop(00:45:53) - The Role of Stop Loss in Business(00:46:37) - Employers and the Health of their Employees(00:50:35) - Employers and Direct Contracting(00:52:43) - The Tightening Market(00:55:27) - Exploring the Health Insurance Captivity Market(01:02:05) - Captive Stop Loss