Voices of Self Funding

In this preview episode of Voices of Self-Funding, host Tom Testa sits down with ClarityCare AI co-founders Hermine Tranie and Alex Andrei to discuss their groundbreaking Executive Forum 2026 session: “How to Actually Use AI: A Hands-On Mini-Hackathon for Self-Insured Leaders.”

Unlike typical conference talks, this immersive 90-minute workshop invites attendees to roll up their sleeves and build with AI in real time. Hermine and Alex preview what to expect from the hackathon format, share how AI is already reshaping prior auth and utilization management, and explain why TPAs and self-funded employers need to stop talking about AI – and start using it.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to get practical with AI at Executive Forum 2026. Register now and secure your seat in the Ballroom.

In this special episode of Voices of Self-Funding, host Tom Testa sits down with Executive Forum 2026 keynote speaker Mike Abrashoff, former Commander of the USS Benfold and best-selling author of It’s Your Ship. Hear how Abrashoff turned the Navy’s lowest-performing ship into the top-ranked vessel in just one year – without changing a single crew member.

In this quick preview, Mike shares lessons on leadership, culture, and accountability that apply far beyond the military and offers a taste of the powerful message he’ll bring to San Antonio this February.

Catch the keynote session live at Executive Forum 2026 — register today to reserve your seat and join the industry’s most important conversations. 

In this special preview episode of Voices of Self Funding, co-host Tom Testa sits down with Ron Peck, Chief Legal Officer at The Phia Group, to discuss his highly anticipated session at Executive Forum 2026: “Fiduciary Gotchas and the Company You Keep.” From revenue-sharing arrangements to PBM contracts and vendor disclosures, Ron shares what TPAs need to know now as courts and regulators sharpen their focus on fiduciary responsibilities. With plaintiff attorneys getting more creative and DOL audits on the rise, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to protect their business and stay compliant.

Catch the full session live at Executive Forum 2026 — register today to reserve your seat and join the industry’s most important conversations. 

In this episode of Voices of Self-Funding, host Tom Testa speaks with MIT-trained AI researcher and ClarityCare AI co-founder Hermine Tranie about how artificial intelligence is delivering measurable wins in utilization management (UM) and prior authorization (PA). Hermine explains how AI agents convert unstructured records into structured insights, drive real-time approvals at the point of care, and free up nurses for higher-value tasks – boosting accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.

As a preview to her interactive “AI Mini-Hackathon” session at HCAA’s 2026 Executive Forum, Hermine shares a practical roadmap for adoption and what TPAs and self-funded employers can do today to start seeing ROI. Click here to register.

In this episode of Voices of Self-Funding, host Ramesh Kumar welcomes Lee Lewis, Chief Strategy Officer at the Health Transformation Alliance and host of the Broken Benefits podcast. Together, they explore how some of the nation’s largest employers are reshaping healthcare and what smaller self-funded employers and TPAs can learn from their playbook. Lee introduces his “ABC” framework: Advanced Primary Care, Behavioral Health, and Centers of Excellence. They dive into why direct primary care is gaining traction, how advanced behavioral therapies like TMS and ketamine can unlock cost-effective mental health care, and why Centers of Excellence and tiered networks are becoming essential levers for better outcomes at lower cost.

From strategies to supplement traditional networks to practical steps TPAs can take to differentiate and deliver value, this is a powerful conversation packed with actionable insights for anyone rethinking healthcare benefits in a self-funded world.

Registration is now open for HCAA’s Executive Forum 2026, where conversations like this continue live. Learn more at HCAA.org.

In this episode of Voices of Self-Funding, host Ramesh Kumar welcomes Arun Santhebennur, Co-founder and CEO of Voicegain, to explore how voice AI is reshaping healthcare operations for TPAs, payers, and health plans.

They tackle the tough truth that 95% of AI pilots fail, unpacking why — from hype and skill gaps to the “build vs. buy” dilemma and change management challenges. More importantly, they share where AI is already succeeding: automating claims status calls, streamlining utilization management, and making complex health plan information accessible to members.

Listeners will hear a roadmap for launching successful AI pilots — starting with proven use cases, aligning incentives, and using AI to augment (not replace) people. It’s a forward-looking conversation on turning AI from a risky experiment into a real value driver.

This episode was sponsored by WLT Software. For more information, visit HCAA.org.

In this episode of Voices of Self Funding, Jeff Walter and Jim Farley discuss their strategic merger, titled "Merging for Independence". They reveal how independent TPAs like JP Farley and PBA are uniting to drive innovation and enhance customer experience, avoiding absorption by larger firms.

Discover how this merger focuses on enhanced service with PBA's EOS system and in-house IT, improving operational efficiency, data management, and enabling quick, independent service delivery for customers. The discussion also highlights their future focus on Direct Primary Care (DPC) and the use of nurse navigators to optimize member experience and efficiency. It’s a compelling conversation for understanding how TPAs are evolving to offer superior, independent solutions and seamless third-party integration.

This episode was sponsored by WLT Software. For more information, visit HCAA.org.

In this episode of Voices of Self-Funding, host Ramesh sits down with Jeffrey Bloom, a 25+ year veteran in healthcare and employee benefits, to unpack the power of Direct Primary Care (DPC) for self-funded employers.

Jeff brings deep expertise spanning underwriting, care delivery, and affinity markets — and a passion for reshaping member experiences. Together, they explore how DPC:

• Delivers hard savings: 12–18% reduction in year one healthcare spend (net of fees), plus an additional 8% stop-loss discount by deflecting high-cost claims.
• Transforms access: Members get appointments in 24–48 hours—far faster than traditional systems.
• Drives satisfaction & productivity: A scalable, capitated model that eliminates balance billing, improves engagement, and enhances workforce health.

This conversation reframes primary care not just as a benefit, but as a strategic cost-containment lever for employers committed to optimizing spend and boosting employee well-being.

This episode was sponsored by WLT Software. For more information, visit HCAA.org.

In this episode of Voices of Self Funding, host Ramesh welcomes Dr. Michael Fenster — better known as “Chef Dr. Mike” — interventional cardiologist, classically trained chef, and leading voice in the field of culinary medicine. Chef Dr. Mike will be familiar to many of our listeners as the keynote speaker at HCAA’s 2025 Executive Forum.

Together, they dive into what it means to move beyond basic nutrition advice toward a truly holistic food-health experience — where timing, setting, social connection, and emotional well-being are all part of the recipe. They explore how employers can build healthier ecosystems for their workforce, and why investing in food as medicine could offer meaningful returns when it comes to preventing chronic disease.

It’s a rich and energizing conversation that rethinks the role of food in well-being, as well as the role self-funded employers can play in making it work. This episode was sponsored by WLT Software. For more information, visit HCAA.org.

In this episode of Voices of Self Funding, host Ramesh sits down with Marjorie Morrison — renowned entrepreneur, licensed psychotherapist, and mental health innovator. With decades of clinical and business experience, Marjorie brings deep insight into how self-funded employers can better support mental health while navigating the complexity of today’s benefit landscape. She draws on her work as founder of PsychArmor and Psych Hub, as well as her policy and employer-facing advocacy efforts, to share what’s working — and what’s next. They discuss:

- The myth of one-size-fits-all mental health.

- Understanding the range of needs and solutions.

- How evidence-based practices are driving the next wave of tech-enabled mental health care.

- Why self-funded employers must take the lead in creating meaningful, flexible mental health benefit structures.

Tune in for an honest, energized conversation that reframes mental health as a strategic business priority — and learn how to turn complexity into action.

This episode was sponsored by WLT Software. For more information, please visit HCAA.org.