In this episode, Ralph Weber, known as the Benefit Whisperer, discusses the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its implications for employers. He explains the responsibilities of applicable large employers (ALEs) under the ACA, including the requirements for minimum essential coverage and the penalties for non-compliance. The conversation also covers the differences between self-insured plans and …
What if the real problem with American healthcare isn’t medical but the familiar broken system that keeps your costs rising year after year? In this episode of The Benefit Whisperer, Ralph Weber sits down with Dr. David Scheinker, Founder and Director of SURF Stanford Medicine, to unpack: Why rising costs are baked into the insurance …
🎧 Episode 14: Dr. David Scheinker on Why Healthcare’s Complexity Isn’t an Accident This week on The Benefit Whisperer, Ralph Weber is joined by Stanford’s Dr. David Scheinker, a leading voice in healthcare engineering and reform, to break down the $1 trillion in administrative waste baked into the U.S. healthcare system. From vague insurance denials …
Group health benefits are often sold as a shiny package, but beneath the surface lies a complex system that’s costing employers far more than they realize. In this eye-opening episode, Ralph Weber pulls back the curtain on PPO networks, revealing staggering price variances, like a CT scan that can cost anywhere from $635 to $19,830, …
In this powerful episode of The Benefit Whisperer, host Ralph Weber is joined by legendary health policy expert Dr. Donald Berwick, former CMS administrator, Harvard-trained pediatrician, and co-founder of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, for a candid and urgent conversation about what’s really broken in American healthcare. Dr. Berwick pulls no punches as he exposes …
In this episode of The Benefit Whisperer, Ralph Weber and pharmacist Benjamin Jolley delve into the complexities of prescription drug costs, focusing on how employers can navigate pharmacy benefits management (PBM) to save money. They discuss the significant savings achieved by New Jersey, the impact of drug pricing strategies, and the legal implications for employers …
In this must-watch episode of The Benefit Whisperer, Ralph Weber sits down with ERISA attorney Julie Selesnick to unpack one of the biggest legal stories in employee benefits: the JP Morgan healthcare lawsuit—and why it should matter to every employer and plan sponsor. Julie brings 25+ years of legal experience and explains:✅ What the JP …
Is your PPO network actually saving you money—or just selling you a myth? In this eye-opening episode of The Benefit Whisperer, host Ralph Weber sits down with Adam Russo, co-founder and CEO of The Phia Group, to expose the broken economics of traditional healthcare pricing. They dive deep into the real story behind Reference-Based Pricing …
Why Are Prescription Drugs So Expensive? The Truth About PBMs, Spread Pricing & What Employers Can Do In this eye-opening episode of The Benefit Whisperer, host Ralph Weber sits down with pharmacist and reform advocate Benjamin Jolley to expose the hidden forces behind America’s skyrocketing prescription drug costs. 💊 From shocking stories of $1,800 bills …
Are you overpaying for employee benefits without leveraging their full potential? Discover how to make your benefits strategy work smarter, not harder with level-funded plans! Ralph Weber dives into why group benefits shouldn’t just be numbers on a spreadsheet but powerful tools that can attract talent and secure your business’s future. Ralph unravels the advantages …