Digital Health Heavyweights
This conversational podcast brings you exclusive interviews with all the Heavyweights in Digital Health. Hosted by Norm Volsky, a top industry headhunter, whose team helped scale companies including Livongo, Hinge Health, Lyra, Virta, Progyny and many more. This series will bring listeners insights into the latest trends, technologies, and strategies driving the digital health revolution.
In each episode, Norm sits down with some of the most influential and innovative leaders in healthcare technology today from legendary founders who have built successful companies, venture capitalists who have led funding rounds, HR/Benefits leaders at forward thinking companies, Consultants and Brokers at the top benefits consulting firms, and other impactful visionaries challenging the status quo in healthcare. Listeners can learn from the industry greats who have created what we now know as health benefits, and who are changing the face of healthcare as we know it.
Whether you're a healthcare professional, a tech enthusiast, a start-up founder, benefits aficionado, jobseeker in Digital Health, or simply curious about the future of healthcare, Digital Health Heavyweights has something for you.
Digital Health Heavyweights
Episode 4 : Shawn Gremminger, CEO at the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions
Welcome back to the Second season of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast for Episode 4! In today’s interview, Norm sits down with Shawn Gremminger, president and CEO of the National Alliance, who discusses his journey into healthcare advocacy, the role of employers in the healthcare system, and the challenges of misaligned incentives. He emphasizes the importance of direct contracting and telehealth as innovative solutions to improve healthcare access and reduce costs. Shawn also shares insights on the future of healthcare, including the potential shift towards a single-payer system, and the need for better incentives for benefits leaders to drive meaningful change.
Takeaways
🚑 Shawn Gremminger leads the National Alliance, focusing on healthcare value.
🔹 His career in healthcare advocacy began unexpectedly after a political campaign.
🏥 Essential hospitals play a critical role in providing care to underserved populations.
🔍 Understanding different perspectives in healthcare is crucial for effective advocacy.
💼 The National Alliance aims to empower employers to take control of healthcare costs.
🔗 Direct contracting can help employers bypass traditional health plans for better outcomes.
📱 Telehealth presents opportunities for improved access but also challenges in cost management.
😩 Employers are experiencing fatigue from numerous point solutions in healthcare.
💥 The healthcare system is approaching a breaking point due to rising costs.
🎯 Incentivizing benefits leaders is essential for driving change in healthcare management.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Sean Gremminger and the National Alliance
02:21 Sean's Journey into Healthcare Advocacy
06:42 Understanding the Healthcare System from Multiple Perspectives
08:16 Key Learnings from Reservoir Communications Group
11:23 Leading the National Alliance: Challenges and Responsibilities
13:05 Delivering Value to Employers in Healthcare
14:39 The Role of Employers in the Healthcare System
17:24 Empowering Employers through the National Alliance
19:35 Exciting Developments in Telehealth
23:40 Point Solution Fatigue in Healthcare
26:25 Vision for the National Alliance
30:28 Misaligned Incentives in Healthcare
34:08 Learnings and Successes at the Alliance
36:29 Policy Initiatives and Legislative Focus
41:44 Direct Contracting and Cost Savings
45:31 Future of Healthcare: Single Payer System?
48:40 Incentivizing Benefits Leaders to Innovate
50:29 Outro
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