Vanessa, Jared & Adam are joined by Tammy Miller, Executive VP of Auditing at Brown & Brown. Tammy breaks down the essentials of healthcare and pharmacy audits—why they matter, how they’re conducted and what employers often overlook. The team explores audit triggers, common findings like duplicate claims and misapplied copays and the growing importance of fiduciary responsibility. They also dive into fraud, waste and abuse detection, and how audits can benefit both plan sponsors and admi...
Jun 18, 2025•24 min•Ep. 63
The team welcomes Melanie Payton, National Practice Leader for the Brown & Brown Absence team. In this insightful podcast episode, we delve into the current state of the market, highlighting the significant impact of absence costs, which now surpass medical expenses, and the evolving regulatory climate driven by generational shifts in employee expectations. We explore the complexities of Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) legislation, with new mandates on the horizon and the decision-makin...
Apr 22, 2025•30 min•Ep. 62
Vanessa, Jared & Adam are joined by Julie Turpin, Chief People Officer of Brown & Brown to discuss the latest trends in People Analytics and how they are shaping the future of HR. Julie highlights the importance of collecting, analyzing and applying data related to employees to improve business outcomes. This enables HR departments to gain data-driven insights for decision-making on various people processes, such as recruitment, retention, performance management and diversity initiatives...
Apr 08, 2025•29 min•Ep. 61
Vanessa, Jared & Adam are joined by Katy Wong, National Pharmacy Leader for Brown & Brown, to discuss the latest trends in transformative therapies and pharmacy benefit management (PBM). Katy highlights how GLP-1s, specialty drugs and gene therapies will continue to drive up costs and how biosimilars are expected to help offset these expenses to health plans. The team dives into the challenging landscape facing the traditional PBM model in 2025. Transparency and accountability remain cri...
Mar 19, 2025•33 min•Ep. 60
Vanessa, Jared & Adam highlight the latest trends impacting employers, such as rising healthcare expenses and the importance of personalized benefits. The team delves into the primary elements driving employer costs, including increased utilization of services. They further explore the significant role of large claimants—individuals with high-cost medical claims—and the importance of stop-loss contracts in mitigating financial risks for employers. The discussion shifts to the 'real risk' to ...
Feb 24, 2025•30 min•Ep. 59
Vanessa, Jared & Adam are joined by Josh Halperin from the Brown & Brown National Pharmacy Practice. Josh highlights the latest trends impacting employers, such as rising drug prices and the importance of transparency in PBM contracts. The team dives further into GLP-1 medications, their uses and employee demands, while also discussing the challenges and opportunities of incorporating biosimilars in health plans. Connect with the hosts: Jared Bowcutt Vanessa Longnecker Adam Compton...
Dec 16, 2024•31 min•Ep. 58
Vanessa, Jared and Adam are joined by Julie Fernandez, Global HR Advisory Lead at herronpalmer, to examine current trends in the HR technology landscape. The team dives into what artificial intelligence can mean for HR and how intelligent automation can help organizations. Julie provides insight into how organizations can refocus their onboarding strategies to help employees feel engaged throughout their journey. Connect with the hosts: Jared Bowcutt Vanessa Longnecker Adam Compton...
Nov 18, 2024•29 min•Ep. 57
Vanessa, Jared, and Adam are joined by Kelly Polinski and Zach Papalia to discuss key topics, focusing on Centers of Excellence, explaining what they are and why employers are increasingly considering them. The conversation covers how common they are becoming, and typically supported treatments. Kelly and Zach provide insight into how these issues are likely to evolve and the potential impacts on employers and employees. The team dives deeper into access, contracting, outcome metrics and employe...
Nov 04, 2024•26 min•Ep. 56
Vanessa, Jared & Adam are joined by James Slotnick, Head of Government Relations at Sun Life, to discuss key topics ahead of the upcoming election. The conversation covers crucial areas such as paid family leave, pharmacy benefits and stop-loss insurance. James provides insights into how these issues are likely to evolve and impact employers and employees alike. The team dives deeper into these topics, offering strategies for organizations to consider when navigating the changing landscape o...
Oct 21, 2024•31 min•Ep. 55
Adam and Jared are joined by Dr. Louise Short and Uthona Mikrut from the Brown & Brown Population Health team. They will share their insights on how best to understand and evaluate on-site clinics for employers. The team dives deeper into services, like physical therapy, mental health and more that are available through these clinics and offers a checklist of ideas to consider when reviewing the opportunity for your organization. Connect with the hosts: Jared Bowcutt Vanessa Longnecker Adam ...
Sep 30, 2024•35 min•Ep. 54
Jared, Adam and Vanessa are joined by Managing Consultant and Population Health specialist, Gina Julian. Gina, a registered dietician, dives into a recent article titled ‘Food as Medicine.’ She focuses on how organizations can increase access, improve quality and remove cost barriers to nutritious foods. Using the acronym ‘EAT,’ Gina’s discusses how to E stablish the right programs, A djust your work environment and T ailor your plan design. Read ‘Food as Medicine:’ https://www.bbrown.com/us/ins...
Jun 11, 2024•22 min•Ep. 53
Adam and Vanessa are joined by Colin Bradly, CEO of Winston Benefits, part of the Brown & Brown team. Colin dives into key strategies that employers can consider when reviewing their Benefits Administration technology for their organization. The team investigates employee engagement campaigns and what employers can do to streamline customized and digital benefit solutions in a competitive market space. https://winstonbenefits.com/ Connect with the hosts: Jared Bowcutt Vanessa Longnecker Adam...
May 29, 2024•34 min•Ep. 52
Adam, Jared and Vanessa are joined by Robyn Piper, Managing Partner at Piper Jordan— part of the Brown & Brown team. Robyn dives into the strategies discussed in our recently released Brown & Brown Employee Benefits Market Trends Report: Redefining Care Through Innovation. The team looks into healthcare trends, key cost drivers and considerations for employers, including a focus on chronic conditions, weight-loss drugs and innovative care delivery models. Download the Market Trends Repor...
Apr 23, 2024•28 min•Ep. 51
Adam, Jared and Vanessa are joined by Brown & Brown's President and CEO, Powell Brown. Powell dives into the state of the market, sharing what he is seeing on a global scale that employers may need to consider. The team investigates the importance of culture, health and family and how they are balanced at Brown & Brown. Powell also speaks about his recent ‘Misogi’ (an ancient practice thought to purify the mind, body and spirit through physical and mental challenges)— a bike ride through...
Apr 02, 2024•34 min•Ep. 50
Vanessa, Jared and Adam lead a discussion on how to set up your benefits plan year and strategies your organization can consider. The team talks about different demographic features that you can look at to compare last year's plan year to the current one. They then discuss best-in-class practices to help set up for a successful pre-renewal and 2025 renewal. Connect with the hosts: Jared Bowcutt Vanessa Longnecker Adam Compton...
Feb 27, 2024•26 min•Ep. 49
Jared and Adam are joined by physician, scientist and professor at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Robert Green. Dr. Green leads us through a discussion on genetics in the workplace, providing insights on genetics, genomics and precision medicine. Until recently, genomics has been fragmented and expensive – it has now evolved to be offered to employees and their families. Explore what you can do as an employer to make better decisions with better data. Connect with the hosts: Jared Bowcutt Vanessa L...
Jan 22, 2024•29 min•Ep. 48
Vanessa, Jared & Adam are joined by Brown & Brown's Chief People Officer, Julie Turpin. Julie leads a discussion around Purposeful Leadership and her 'People Lead People' Playbook. The conversation expands into building culture, focused authenticity and supporting your team's mental health. Join us on this journey with Julie and what leaders can do to support their teammates and organizations. Connect with the hosts: Jared Bowcutt Vanessa Longnecker Adam Compton...
Dec 13, 2023•28 min•Ep. 47
Vanessa, Jared and Adam are joined by Sally Patterson from the Brown & Brown Population Health Team. As a registered nurse, Sally has a deep clinical background to understand the implications of the tripledemic, the combination of the flu, RSV and COVID-19. As cases continue to go up and impact health plans, learn tips on what you can do to protect your organization. Help Keep Your Workforce Healthy by Avoiding the Tripledemic Connect with the hosts: Jared Bowcutt Vanessa Longnecker Adam Com...
Dec 04, 2023•24 min•Ep. 46
Vanessa, Jared, and Adam are joined by the CEO of Susan G. Komen, Paula Schneider. Komen’s mission is to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer. In 2023, it’s estimated that 300,000 women and men will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Paula explores the advocacy that Komen can provide and what your organization can do to support your employees and their families. Connect with the hosts: Jared Bowcut...
Oct 23, 2023•25 min•Ep. 45
Vanessa, Jared and Adam are joined by Abinue Fortingo and Kelly Polinski, two specialists from the Brown & Brown Population Health team. In this episode, the team discusses the direct and indirect impacts of cancer on employers and their employees. Kelly and Abinue identify four key areas to focus on: Prevent, Detect, Navigate and Support. As cancer evolves more into a chronic condition and people are living longer with the disease, it is essential to understand what you can do as an employe...
Oct 02, 2023•29 min•Ep. 44
Vanessa, Jared and Adam are joined by Richard Scherer from the Brown & Brown International Benefits team. The team leads a discussion around the importance of International Benefits in today’s global and multinational workforce. Employers face many challenges in designing, implementing and complying with local laws and regulations. These benefits go well beyond medical and include disability plans, ancillary benefits and even pension plans that vary by country. Richard provides some importan...
Sep 05, 2023•21 min•Ep. 41
Jared and Vanessa are joined by Kelly Polinski and Jared Hansen from the Brown & Brown Population Health & Well-Being team. The team led a discussion around Social Determinants of Health and spatial analytics in public health and how they can be used for health benefits. Along with insightful conversation, the team provides some to-do considerations for employers and examples of resources available in the marketplace today. Connect with the hosts: Jared Bowcutt Vanessa Longnecker Adam Co...
Sep 05, 2023•22 min•Ep. 43
Jared and Adam dive into strategies for Open Enrollment and expand on innovative ideas seen in the marketplace. From an Open Enrollment Rap Song to a Branded Benefits Experience, the discussion focuses on turning off the ‘autopilot’ for Open Enrollment and adding the human element that best shares the company’s culture. In addition, the team goes into compliance considerations for everyday enrollment to help ensure the organization is protected. Connect with the hosts: Jared Bowcutt Vanessa Long...
Jul 17, 2023•25 min•Ep. 42
Jared, Vanessa and Adam are joined by the head of AGIS Network, Kevin Sypniewski. The team leads a discussion around strategies and best practices for employers to help understand the evolving Long-Term Care industry. With 14 states looking at legislation and eight carriers launching new or improved products, employers are now evaluating the launch of new programs. Kevin helps guide this strategic discussion about what employers can do to understand and evolve in the Long-Term Care space. Connec...
Jul 17, 2023•25 min•Ep. 40
Jared, Vanessa and Adam are joined by Chief Population Health Officer of Airrosti, Dr. Chris Cato. The team explores the current state of the musculoskeletal (MSK) industry and how virtual care has directly impacted strategies for employers. MSK conditions make up 19% of all healthcare visits and continue to evolve and impact other forms of care. Dr. Cato also dives into the indirect costs of MSK issues such as absenteeism, productivity, lost wages and behavioral health. Connect with the hosts: ...
May 22, 2023•28 min•Ep. 39
Jared, Vanessa and Adam are joined by Steve Maike, Chief Pharmacy Officer for Remedy Analytics (part of the Brown & Brown team), and Alan Pannier, Vice President of Strategy with SmithRx. The team leads a discussion around strategies and best practices for employers to help confront the rising costs of pharmaceuticals for employers. Pharmacy cost increases are projected to be 9.8% with specialty drugs leading that trend, up almost 13.5% in 2023. The team covers strategies from highlighting b...
May 22, 2023•26 min•Ep. 38
Jared, Vanessa and Adam are joined by President and CEO of Brown & Brown, Powell Brown. The team explores employee benefits and how to attract and retain the best teammates from an executive viewpoint. Powell dives deeper into the importance of mental health (or brain health) and discusses the investment from the organization and how it can impact and support teammates and their families. The team also highlights a book called ‘The Comfort Crisis’ that speaks to getting ‘comfortable’ being ‘...
Apr 17, 2023•29 min•Ep. 37
Jared, Vanessa and Adam are joined by Brown & Brown’s National Clinical Leader, Dr. Louise Short, MD, MSc, FACOEM and Andrea Grande R. PH, Principal within the Brown & Brown Pharmacy Team. The team leads a discussion around strategies and best practices for employers to help address obesity in the workplace. Obesity costs the U.S. Healthcare system $173 Billion per year and an obese employee costs employers twice the normal amount in medical, sick days, short-term disability and workers’...
Apr 17, 2023•32 min•Ep. 36
Jared and Adam lead a discussion around strategies and best practices for employers on the heels of the Brown & Brown 2023 State of the Market being released. The team digs into strategic considerations surrounding your medical and pharmacy plan, including big updates in the specialty drug and biosimilar marketplaces. The team covers strategies from highlighting virtual primary care within the physical, mental & behavioral health space. Furthermore, strategies around increased advocacy i...
Feb 13, 2023•27 min•Ep. 35
Vanessa and Jared are joined by Business Group on Health CEO Ellen Kelsay! Ellen has an incredible resume in the health and welfare consulting space and now helps lead the charge with the Business Group on Health. Ellen tackles various topics, including Health Equity, access to quality health care, and ways to manage the most significant driver in health care costs, cancer. This engaging conversation will make you think and drive new discussions in your organization. Connect with the hosts: Jare...
Feb 13, 2023•28 min•Ep. 34
