Tag: Ralph Weber Podcast
The Truth About PBMs and Rising Costs + What You Can Do About It (Ep. 19)

The Truth About PBMs and Rising Costs + What You Can Do About It (Ep. 19)

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Healthcare costs are spiraling out of control, but most employers don’t realize they have the power to change the game.

In this episode of The Benefit Whisperer, Ralph Weber explains why CFOs and CEOs must step into the role of health plan architects because fiduciary responsibility doesn’t stop at payroll.

Ralph and co-host Bill Tucker dig into the truth about PBMs (pharmacy benefit managers) and how these companies profit from a system that drives up premiums and hides real costs. 

Ralph breaks down the critical differences between fully insured and self-insured plans, why transparency is key, and how tools like MediPay.ai give companies leverage to save money while improving care for employees.

Here’s what discussions you can expect in the episode:

  • Why fiduciary lawsuits are changing employer responsibilities
  • How self-insured plans offer control and cost savings
  • Why PBM pricing remains a hidden threat
  • Practical steps to start designing smarter benefits
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Ralph Weber:
The PPO Shell Game: How Employers Get Trapped by Hidden Healthcare Costs (Ep. 13)

The PPO Shell Game: How Employers Get Trapped by Hidden Healthcare Costs (Ep. 13)

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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, depending on where you go and what you know.

Ralph unpacks the hidden mechanics behind cross-plan offsetting, opaque contracts, and the ways big insurance companies profit while businesses struggle with ballooning healthcare costs. 

But this isn’t just an exposé, it’s a guide. Ralph shares actionable strategies like self-funding, direct contracting with hospitals, and reference-based pricing to empower employers to take control of their plans, reduce expenses, and provide better care for their teams.

What to expect:

  • The shocking truth behind PPO pricing & why you’re paying more than you should
  • How cross-plan offsetting could be draining your bottom line
  • Why self-funded plans give you the data advantage
  • Smart solutions like reference-based pricing and direct contracting
  • And more!

Connect with Ralph Weber: