In this episode of ShiftShapers, host David A. Saltzman speaks with Joanna Conti, founder and chairman of the nonprofit Conquer Addiction . Joanna’s journey began when her own daughter faced life-threatening alcoholism, prompting a years-long search for effective treatment—and an urgent realization: no one was measuring long-term success. Joanna shares the results of her groundbreaking research following over 100,000 addiction patients, and exposes the massive gaps in transparency, accountabilit...
Jul 01, 2025•23 min
Why Reducing Variation = Better Outcomes In this episode of ShiftShapers, host David A. Saltzman welcomes Kate Grohall, co-founder and Vice President of Value-Based Solutions at Holista. Kate shares her powerful journey from working with patients in a teaching hospital to building a transformative platform focused on reducing variation in care, cost, and outcomes. She unpacks how Holista restores trust in the provider-patient relationship, leverages real-time communication tools to improve outco...
Jun 24, 2025•26 min
Why Are We Paying More for Worse Health? | ShiftShapers In this episode of ShiftShapers, host David A. Saltzman welcomes Helene M. Epstein—writer, speaker, and patient advocate behind the Substack series Patient No More . Helene dives deep into America’s epidemic of medical errors, misdiagnoses, and system failures. She breaks down why even the most advanced technology and training haven’t improved patient safety, how profit-driven healthcare puts patients at risk, and—most importantly—what indi...
Jun 17, 2025•29 min•Ep. 517
Rethinking PPOs: How High-Performance Networks Deliver Value | ShiftShapers In this episode of ShiftShapers, host David A. Saltzman sits down with Scott Smith, founder and CEO of Logro Network, to discuss a revolution in health plan design: the nationally curated high-performance network. Scott unpacks the origins of PPOs, why the old “discount everything” approach is broken, and how a focus on total value—cost, quality, and outcomes—can transform employer health plans. You’ll learn how Logro Ne...
Jun 10, 2025•25 min•Ep. 516
In Part 2 of our powerful conversation with David Contorno, president and founder of ePowered Benefits, we go beyond the strategies and structures of health plan design—diving into the real-life struggles that are shaping smarter, more compassionate solutions. Host David A. Saltzman and David Contorno discuss the realities of scaling direct primary care, creative ways to bridge care gaps, and the challenges of educating employers and advisors about fiduciary responsibility. But the heart of this...
Jun 03, 2025•29 min
What does “smart” health plan design look like in an industry packed with legacy thinking and rising costs? In Part 1 of a special two-part ShiftShapers interview, host David A. Saltzman welcomes back David Contorno, president and founder of ePower Benefits—and one of the industry’s most well-known disruptors. David pulls back the curtain on his journey from traditional insurance to innovative plan design, explaining why “business as usual” can’t fix the healthcare system. He discusses creative ...
May 27, 2025•32 min•Ep. 514
Understanding Trump's Executive Order on Drug Pricing | ShiftShapers In this episode of ShiftShapers, host David A. Saltzman welcomes Tiffany Ryder, emergency medicine PA, host of Healthcare Liberty Lab , and writer at Red Flag Hero on Substack. Tiffany breaks down President Trump’s executive order on drug pricing and what it could mean for patients, providers, and pharmaceutical companies. She explores key issues like most favored nation pricing, transparency in drug costs, and the role of PBMs...
May 20, 2025•31 min
🎧 Replay Episode: Rethinking Healthcare Costs with Direct Pay Models As healthcare expenses continue to rise and insurance premiums stretch beyond affordability, more Americans are exploring alternatives. In this replay episode, we're revisiting a powerful conversation with Dr. Jawad Arshad, CEO of WoW Health Solutions, on how direct pay models could reshape ambulatory care. Dr. Arshad breaks down the benefits, challenges, and potential of a direct pay approach — offering insights into a future...
May 13, 2025•22 min
In this REPLAY episode of ShiftShapers, host David interviews Paula Muto, a practicing surgeon and founder of Uber Docs. Paula shares her perspective on the inefficiencies in the current healthcare system, comparing buying health insurance to renting an apartment, and advocates for a direct pay model to improve the situation. She explains how Uber Docs facilitates transparent, direct transactions between patients and physicians, ultimately aiming to lower overall healthcare costs by empowering c...
Apr 29, 2025•22 min
In this episode of ShiftShapers, host David A. Saltzman sits down with David Blair, founder and CEO of LucyRx, to explore a growing crisis in American healthcare: pharmacy deserts. As rural and underserved communities lose access to local pharmacies, millions are left without a vital link in the healthcare chain. David unpacks the economic and systemic challenges driving pharmacy closures and shares how LucyRx is stepping in to reshape the future of pharmacy care. From the SPARC (Sustaining Phar...
Apr 22, 2025•24 min
In this episode of ShiftShapers, host David A. Saltzman welcomes compliance expert Carol Taylor, JM, of BenefitMall, for a deep dive into the rapidly evolving world of employer compliance. From court rulings and legislative penalties to HIPAA security updates and AI-driven benefit denials, Carol offers critical insights for anyone navigating today’s tangled regulatory landscape. She unpacks the latest on ERISA preemption battles, mental health parity lawsuits, and the real-world impact of comple...
Apr 15, 2025•30 min•Ep. 511
In this episode of ShiftShapers , host David A. Saltzman sits down with Neal Shah, co-founder of Counterforce Health, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the fight against denied health insurance claims. Shah shares his personal journey from finance into healthcare advocacy, shaped by firsthand experiences navigating the broken healthcare system for his family. That path ultimately led to the creation of Counterforce Health—a free AI-powered platform that’s helping patients an...
Apr 08, 2025•29 min•Ep. 510
In this episode of ShiftShapers, host David A. Saltzman sits down with Vinay Patel, PharmD, founder of MakoRX, to expose why prescription pricing remains so confusing—and what can be done to fix it. Patel breaks down how pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), vertical integration, and opaque pricing structures are driving up costs for patients—while limiting access and undermining local pharmacies. From subscription pharmacy programs to cash-pay and compounding models, Patel shares bold, practical so...
Apr 01, 2025•28 min•Ep. 509
Part 2 of our deep dive into Disability Insurance (DI) on the ShiftShapers Podcast goes beyond the basics—diving into strategic implementation, evolving underwriting standards, and revenue-generating opportunities for advisors. In this episode, host David Saltzman continues the conversation with Don Schamay, Regional Director of Executive Benefits at The Principal, to explore how disability insurance can be a transformative tool for both clients and advisors. Don shares his insights on how DI is...
Mar 25, 2025•22 min•Ep. 508
Welcome to Part One of our deep dive into Disability Insurance (DI) on the ShiftShapers Podcast! In this two-part series. In this episode, host David Saltzman converses with Don Schamay, Regional Director of Executive Benefits at The Principal, about the often-overlooked importance of disability insurance in a comprehensive health insurance strategy. Don shares his journey from military service to a seasoned expert in disability insurance, emphasizing the critical need for both individual and gr...
Mar 18, 2025•23 min•Ep. 507
In this episode of ShiftShapers, Host David Saltzman interviews Dave Toeben, president of Insight Insurance Services, about how insurance professionals can enhance their business through business continuation planning. Dave shares his journey from focusing on group health insurance to specializing in buy-sell agreements, key person, and deferred compensation plans. They discuss the importance of reviewing buy-sell agreements, including recent legal changes such as the Conley case, and explore co...
Mar 11, 2025•22 min•Ep. 506
In this episode of Shift Shapers, Susan Thomas, Chief Commercial Officer at LucyRx, discusses how LucyRx is addressing the issues and conflicts within the traditional Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) landscape. The conversation delves into the structural problems of traditional PBMs, the role of misaligned incentives, and how LucyRx aims to eliminate these conflicts to benefit plan sponsors and patients. Key topics include formulary management, specialty pharmacy networks, and the importance of tr...
Feb 26, 2025•24 min•Ep. 505
In this episode of Shift Shapers, David interviews Ross Bjella, founder and CEO of Alithias, Inc., to discuss the challenges of changing health care behavior and the inaccuracies in measuring those changes. They explore the complexities of helping patients understand their health care options and costs, and advocate for transparent, actionable data to aid in more informed decisions. This Episode is Sponsored by Benepower BenePower is an AI-powered platform that helps advisors build high-impact, ...
Feb 18, 2025•28 min
In this episode of Shift Shapers, we explore strategies to enhance the growth and adoption of Direct Primary Care (DPC) with Dr. Bernard Bubanic, CEO and President at Integrated Source One. Dr. Bubanic shares his journey and insights into creating a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare, ensuring access to comprehensive care without the financial hurdles. We discuss the integration of various services such as telehealth, behavioral health, and musculoskeletal services, as well as the importan...
Jan 28, 2025•22 min•Ep. 502
Join us on this episode of ShiftShapers as host David Saltzman sits down with former New Jersey Congressman Rob Andrews, one of the key authors of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Fifteen years after the ACA's passage and ten years since its implementation, Rob shares his journey from aspiring sports writer to influential lawmaker, his role in drafting the ACA, and thoughtful reflections on its successes, shortcomings, and future prospects. We delve into topics such as healthcare coverage expansio...
Jan 21, 2025•21 min•Ep. 501
Are you struggling to navigate the complex world of gag clause attestation requirements? In this must-watch episode of Shift Shapers, Jennifer Berman, JD, CEO of MZQ Consulting, provides a comprehensive breakdown of everything plan sponsors and advisors need to know about these critical compliance requirements. From the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 to today's implementation challenges, discover how these regulations are reshaping healthcare plan transparency. Jennifer explains why man...
Oct 30, 2024•15 min
Unlocking Post Claim Adjudication: Insights with Jordan Hersh In this episode of ShiftShapers, host David explores the complex world of post claim adjudication with Jordan Hersh, Vice President of Enterprise Solutions at Vālenz. They discuss the intricacies of self-funded plans, reference-based pricing, and the potential savings associated with renegotiating out-of-network claims. The conversation delves into high performance networks, the inverse relationship between cost and quality in healthc...
Oct 09, 2024•20 min
What if technology could bridge the gap in healthcare access for underserved communities? Join us on this episode of ShiftShapers as we explore the intersection of healthcare technology and underserved communities with Kornelius Bankston, Managing Partner at TechPlug. Discover how innovative solutions are being tailored to meet the unique challenges faced by marginalized populations. Learn about the role of economic factors, geographical disparities, and the historical context affecting these co...
Oct 02, 2024•21 min
In this episode of the ShiftShapers Podcast, host David Saltzman chats with Marissa Rufo, JD, MBA, a subject matter expert from MZQ Consulting, to demystify the complexities surrounding Medicare Creditable Coverage. They discuss why it's significant for employers and employees alike, particularly in light of recent legislative changes and the growing number of older employees in the workforce. The conversation addresses compliance requirements, methods for determining creditable coverage, and pr...
Aug 20, 2024•23 min•Ep. 499
In this episode of Shift Shapers, host David Saltzman sits down with Alycia Riedl, the new National President of NABIP, to discuss the future of the healthcare advisory industry. Alycia shares her personal journey from reluctance to passion in the industry, following the legacy of her innovative father. They explore key issues on NABIP's radar, such as transparency, technology, and advocacy against single-payer systems. Alycia emphasizes the importance of evolving the role of advisors and her vi...
Jul 30, 2024•24 min•Ep. 498
The focus of this week's episode is on how modern healthcare system innovations utilize throwback TPA. Bob McCollins, vice president of sales at Edison Health Solutions, explains what’s happening in the TPA industry today and how a throwback TPA can help combine all the fantastic solutions out there to provide top-notch services. What You’ll Learn From This Episode: 2:34 What throwback TPA means and how it works with current healthcare systems. 4:35 Keeping all of the various solutions together ...
Jul 23, 2024•23 min•Ep. 497
This week's episode delves into the world of pharmacogenomics (PGx) and how it is changing the way we approach medication management. We sit down with a leading expert in the field to discuss the current state of PGx adoption, the challenges it faces in gaining wider acceptance in the medical community, and the potential impact it could have on our healthcare system in the future. From the role of direct-to-consumer testing to the importance of involving clinicians in the decision-making process...
Jul 16, 2024•19 min•Ep. 496
In this episode of ShiftShapers, host David Saltzman discusses the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn the 40-year Chevron Deferment precedent and its implications for advisors and their clients. Joined by Jennifer Berman, ERISA attorney Jennifer Berman, the NABIP (National Association of Benefit Insurance Professionals) Legislative Vice Chair and CEO of MZQ Consulting, the discussion explores the decision's potential long-term effects on federal regulations and compliance in the healthcar...
Jul 02, 2024•21 min•Ep. 495
In this episode of the ShiftShapers Podcast, host David Saltzman chats with Ashley Reid, founder and CEO of Wellist, to explore how companies can better connect employees to vital health and well-being resources. Reid discusses her transition from a marketing career to corporate strategy and the inception of Wellist. Driven by personal experiences with cancer care, she sheds light on the current challenges employers face in meeting wellness needs and how Wellist's Precision Resource Matching Pla...
Jun 25, 2024•28 min•Ep. 494
In this episode of the ShiftShapers Podcast, host David Saltzman engages in a deep conversation with Matt Loper, CEO and co-founder of Wellth. They explore how healthcare plans can leverage behavioral economics to achieve better outcomes. Loper recounts his journey from aspiring biotechnologist to a leader in healthcare technology, emphasizing his efforts to increase patient engagement and improve health outcomes by using behavioral science and technology. The insightful discussion for business ...
Jun 18, 2024•24 min•Ep. 493
