Health Tech Nerds Radio
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Where we share our weekly news debriefs and discussions with industry experts. These are lo-fi recordings aimed at giving our readers more opportunities to engage with our analysis and a view into some of the conversations that shape it.
Episodes
- What's driving growth for the country's largest outpatient mental health provider | Dan Ferris (LifeStance Health)
Dan Ferris of LifeStance Health discusses the company's growth strategies, operational focuses, and future plans. Topics include organic growth, mergers and acquisitions, the rollout of interventional psychiatry, AI applications, and the m…
- The Grand Roundup: Strong Q1s driven by operational execution, hospital market power, MinuteClinic / Mass General Brigham, SNP growth, pharmacy patient experience, and more
Health Tech Nerds Radio discusses Q1 earnings, highlighting operational execution over hype. Topics include Agilon's success, Evolent's oncology strategy, Privia's cash flow, Oscar's enrollment, hospital market power debates, CVS/Mass Gene…
- The NC State Health Plan: a case study in managed care, benefit design, and healthcare affordability | Brian Miller (NC State Health Plan)
Brian Miller discusses the NC State Health Plan's successful managed care and benefit design strategies, focusing on income-adjusted premiums, chronic condition support, and preferred providers to improve affordability. He also touches on…
- Healthcare affordability, declining trust, and the realities of reform | Natalie Davis (United States of Care)
Natalie Davis, CEO of United States of Care, discusses healthcare affordability, voter sentiment, and policy solutions. She explains why affordability is the public’s top healthcare concern and explores policy solutions voters support.
- What Kelonia's journey to exit could mean for cell & gene therapies | Bryan Roberts (Venrock)
Bryan Roberts from Venrock discusses Eli Lilly's acquisition of Kelonia, a gene therapy company. He covers the investment thesis, challenges of the biotech financing freeze, and the current landscape for cell and gene therapies, including…
- Addressing revenue cycle's root problem, data fragmentation | Eliana Berger (Joyful Health)
Eliana Berger, CEO and co-founder of Joyful Health, discusses data fragmentation in the revenue cycle and the distinction between AI services and AI agents. She shares her observations from working as a fractional CFO inside provider pract…
- The Grand Roundup: Devoted's long-term bet, Anthropic's AI services firm, Q1 earnings, healthcare financial infrastructure, gene therapy exit, public trust in healthcare, NC state health plan turnaround, and more
This episode covers Devoted Health's strategy, Anthropic's AI services firm, and Q1 earnings for Alignment Healthcare, Humana, Cigna, and Teladoc. It also discusses healthcare financial infrastructure, gene therapy, public trust in healthc…
- How ACCESS unlocks innovative digital care models for original Medicare | Amanda Rees (Bold)
Amanda Rees, CEO and Co-Founder of Bold, discusses her company's AI-powered healthy aging platform. The conversation focuses on how the CMMI ACCESS model fits into Bold's work with Medicare. Bold began with falls prevention and has expande…
- The evolution of MA brokerages: from volume to retention—and what’s next | Patrick Keavy & Rebecca Springer (Bailey & Company)
This episode features Patrick Keavy and Rebecca Springer from Bailey & Company discussing the evolution of the Medicare Advantage brokerage market. They cover how accounting changes, rapid enrollment growth, and subsequent market correctio…
- AI and ACCESS: how Pair Team is scaling whole-person care to a broader population | Neil Batlivala
Neil Batlivala, CEO and Founder of Pair Team, discusses how Pair Team uses AI-powered care management for safety net populations. He explains Pair Team's virtual medical group model, partnerships, and CMMI ACCESS. The conversation includes…
- The state of behavioral health: demand, supply, direct-to-consumer, and emerging treatments | Alli Oakes (Trilliant Health)
Alli Oakes from Trilliant Health presents findings on behavioral health, examining demand, supply, direct-to-consumer models, and new treatments. The discussion also touches on the role of AI in behavioral health and the costs associated w…
- The Grand Roundup: Q1 earnings, behavioral health market, Pair Team and Bold on ACCESS, future of MA brokers, Epic AI vs startups, AI prescribing, and more
This episode of Health Tech Nerds Radio covers Q1 healthcare earnings, the behavioral health market, and the future of Medicare Advantage brokers. It also discusses AI in health tech, including AI prescribing and Epic AI vs. startups.
- Why so few patients access palliative care, and how Empassion is addressing that | Robin Heffernan (Empassion)
This episode features Empassion CEO Robin Heffernan, who explains why few patients access palliative care and how Empassion addresses this issue. She discusses Empassion's model, which includes contracting with payers, curating an in-home…
- From building an alternative health plan to powering them: what Yuzu learned and why they pivoted | Russell Pekala & Will Gillach
Russell Pekala and Will Gillach from Yuzu discuss their company's pivot from building an alternative health plan to becoming an infrastructure layer for such plans. They share lessons learned about technology differentiation, employer need…
- Why a connected device company is well positioned for CMMI's ACCESS model | Patrick Sheehan (Withings)
Patrick Sheehan, VP of Value-Based Care at Withings, explains their distinctive approach to the CMMI ACCESS model. He highlights how their connected devices and established relationships with ACOs and health systems differentiate them from…
- From AI scribing to clinical intelligence: how Abridge is expanding its role across the clinical encounter | Shiv Rao
Shiv Rao, CEO of Abridge, discusses the company's expansion beyond AI scribing and its role in clinical encounters. He explains how Abridge uses AI to provide contextual clinical intelligence and streamline healthcare workflows.
- Maternity care unbundling: why the global payment bundle is ending and what it means for innovation, costs, and access | Neel Shah (Maven Clinic)
This episode discusses the unbundling of global maternity care payments. It covers the reasons for this change, its potential effects on healthcare innovation, costs, and access, and its implications for providers and purchasers.
- The Grand Roundup: Digital vs consumer health participation in ACCESS, maternity care unbundling, Abridge and clinical intelligence, Yuzu's pivot to power alternative plans, peptide market, price transparency, AI-driven risk adjustment funding, and more
Kevin and Martin discuss various topics including digital health participation in ACCESS, maternity care unbundling, and AI in clinical intelligence. They also cover alternative health plans, peptide market, and price transparency. The epi…
- Inside alternative plan design: the mechanics and behavior change driving employer cost savings | Craig Allen & Nancy Wang (Sidecar Health)
Craig Allen and Nancy Wang from Sidecar Health discuss alternative health plan design, focusing on employer cost savings and medical consumerism. They explain Sidecar Health's model, which involves fair pricing for services, upfront budget…
- How CMS Administered Risk Arrangements (CARA) bridge the gap between ACOs and specialists | Will Gordon (Manatt Health)
This episode features Will Gordon from Manatt Health, who discusses CMS Administered Risk Arrangements (CARA). He explains how CARA aims to connect ACOs and specialists within value-based care by facilitating episode-based risk arrangement…
- An investor’s view of the private market, and navigating AI-driven uncertainty | Conor Green (Truehelm)
Conor Green of Truehelm discusses the firm's rebrand, its healthcare-only growth equity/growth buyout strategy, and current market dynamics. He outlines Truehelm's focus on founder-owned, tech-enabled services businesses in the healthcare…
- The case for investing in maternity care and the driving forces behind SimpliFed's $10.8M Series A | Andrea Ippolito (SimpliFed)
Andrea Ippolito joins Health Tech Nerds to discuss SimpliFed's $10.8M Series A and its expansion into a virtual OB model. She explains SimpliFed's insurance-covered care model, growth plans, and the case for investing in prenatal and postp…
- CMMI LEAD and three key changes from ACO REACH: incorporating specialists, using AI-inferred risk, and simplifying tracks | Gabe Drapos (Pearl Health)
Gabe Drapos, Pearl Health COO, discusses CMMI LEAD, the successor to ACO REACH. He highlights three key changes: incorporating specialists, using AI-inferred risk adjustment, and simplifying tracks for ACOs. The conversation also explores…
- The Grand Roundup: CMMI's LEAD program and engaging specialists via CARA, MA final rates and benefit cuts, Teladoc's valuation conundrum, AI creating confusion in private markets, and SimpliFed's $10.8M Series A to extend OB care
This episode discusses CMMI's LEAD program, MA final rates, Teladoc's valuation, and SimpliFed's Series A funding. It also covers the impact of AI on private markets and specialist engagement via CARA.
- Making GLP-1s work for patients and payers | Evan Richardson (Form Health)
This episode explores the GLP-1 era, focusing on the drama, cost, and care models surrounding these drugs. Evan Richardson, CEO of Form Health, discusses how higher-quality care leads to better outcomes and lower long-term costs, and the s…
- Improving pediatric care access and outcomes through value-based Medicaid contracting, technology, and a prevention-first model | Chris Johnson & Michael Glazier, MD (Bluebird Kids Health)
Chris Johnson and Dr. Michael Glazier of Bluebird Kids Health discuss improving pediatric care access and outcomes, particularly for Medicaid populations. They cover how value-based Medicaid contracting, technology, and a prevention-first…
- Chris Klomp on the 2027 MA final rate notice, accountable relationships, and why there’s never been a better time to build in Medicare
Medicare Director Chris Klomp is interviewed about the 2027 Medicare Advantage final rate notice. Discussions include the 2.48% average change, policy updates like coding risk patterns and chart review, and the program's stability and sust…
- Medicare Advantage under pressure: why Greenbrook Medical is leaning in with full-risk primary care | Neil Machhar
This episode features Neil Machhar, CEO of Greenbrook Medical, discussing the current landscape of Medicare Advantage. He explains Greenbrook Medical's strategy amidst policy changes, focusing on a full-risk primary care model for seniors.
- The Grand Roundup: CMMI's LEAD Model, Medicaid cuts, Medicare Advantage care models that are working, and the latest health tech funding
This episode of Health Tech Nerds Radio covers CMMI's new 10-year ACO LEAD model, alongside discussions on state Medicaid budget pressures and successful Medicare Advantage care models. The hosts and guests delve into topics including prov…
- How Oshi builds trust, drives adoption, and improves outcomes with their virtual GI care model | Sam Holliday
Sam Holliday, Co-Founder and CEO of Oshi Health, discusses their virtual GI care model. The conversation covers how Oshi builds trust, drives adoption, and improves patient outcomes, as well as the company's approach to GI care in the cont…
- More effective depression treatments exist—so why aren’t they used? Everbright on TMS, esketamine, and the barriers to prescribing | Ben Kuhn
This episode features Ben Kuhn, CEO of Everbright Health, discussing treatments for depression such as TMS and esketamine. He addresses the obstacles to their widespread adoption in independent practices, including complex payer criteria a…
- What it takes to achieve value-based oncology care: how Thyme Care's model aligns incentives, reduces spend, and improves outcomes at scale | Bradford Diephuis, MD
This episode features an interview with Bradford Diephuis, President and COO of Thyme Care. He discusses Thyme Care's model for value-based oncology care, which focuses on aligning incentives, reducing spend, and improving patient outcomes.
- Building better Opioid Use Disorder care: Ophelia’s approach and why the system falls short | Zach Gray + Dr. Arthur Robin Williams
Zach Gray and Dr. Arthur Robin Williams of Ophelia discuss their virtual-first approach to expanding access to medication-assisted treatment for Opioid Use Disorder. They highlight the challenges within the current system, including fragme…
- Stedi's $50M round and the future of clearinghouses with Zack Kanter, Founder & CEO
Zack Kanter, founder of Stedi, discusses his company's $50M funding round and the function of clearinghouses in the healthcare industry. He explains how the Change Healthcare cyberattack highlighted issues with legacy systems and the direc…
- AI in healthcare: the case for starting in Medicaid with Cityblock's CEO, Toyin Ajayi
Toyin Ajayi, CEO of Cityblock, discusses prioritizing AI deployment in Medicaid due to its potential to address significant healthcare challenges. She explains how value-based care offers appropriate incentives to achieve this goal.
- The Grand Roundup: Peptide boom, payer pressures, AI and Medicaid, clearinghouse innovation, and nearly $600M in health tech funding
This episode of Health Tech Nerds Radio covers a range of health technology news. Topics include the peptide and longevity trend, payer pressures, the application of AI in Medicaid, and innovations in clearinghouses. The "Grand Roundup" al…
- AI & organizational realities, rising labor costs, and specialty care as the next wave of virtual care and VBC: insights from 150 payer & provider execs | Ezra Mehlman (HEP) and Tom Cassels (Manatt)
This episode features Ezra Mehlman and Tom Cassels discussing the findings from Health Enterprise Partner's annual LP survey. Topics include AI adoption, rising labor costs, and the development of virtual and value-based care in specialty…
- Meeting the pressing need for mental health in America’s public schools | Jake Sussman (CEO, Marble Health)
Jake Sussman, CEO of Marble Health, discusses the pressing need for mental health services in America’s public schools. He outlines how Marble Health works with school counselors and Medicaid to address student mental health needs.
- Building virtual care models that help health systems scale care | Ashul Govil (Story Health by Innovaccer)
Ashul Govil, CMO of Story Health by Innovaccer, discusses the evolution of Story Health from virtual cardiology to an AI-forward model. He also covers partnerships to extend care models and the economic aspects of virtual care.
- The Grand Roundup: Sutter–Allina merger, Lantern's $30M raise & model, WISeR prior auth backlash, Medicare Advantage vs FFS, state directed payments, health tech funding, and more
Kevin O'Leary and Martin Cech discuss topics including the Sutter-Allina merger, Lantern's approach, and the WISeR model. The episode also covers CMS remarks, state directed payment applications, and a funding roundup.
- Medicaid is an under appreciated innovation lab | Dr. Chris Cogle (Florida Medicaid)
Dr. Chris Cogle, author of "Public Startup," joins Martin to discuss Medicaid's role as an innovation lab, its intersection with medicine, policy, and data, and its impact on improving care. They explore factors influencing the success or…
- Why CMMI needs simpler models and better measurement | Ankit Patel (Percepta, ex-CMMI)
Ankit Patel, former CMMI senior adviser, discusses his insights on CMMI models and their effects on healthcare spending in the US. He addresses the complexities of the American healthcare system's finances and the role of CMMI in addressin…
- How North Carolina is fixing its $5.5B state employee health plan | Tom Friedman (NC State Health Plan)
Tom Friedman, Executive Director of the North Carolina State Employee Health Plan, discusses how the state is working to fix its $5.5 billion healthcare plan. He outlines the challenges faced, including projected deficits and a high percen…
- The Grand Roundup: Devoted Health’s strategy, Doctronic & AI regulation, DC MA spending debate, and more
This episode discusses Devoted Health's strategy, including their hiring and medical group operations, and examines the emerging legal questions for AI in healthcare. It also reviews the Medicare Advantage cost debate, political scrutiny,…
- The evolution of value-based kidney care: policy, treatment, and payment | Tim Fitzpatrick (Signals Group)
Tim Fitzpatrick discusses the evolution of value-based care in nephrology, including how CMMI kidney models have shifted focus. The conversation covers home dialysis, transplant incentives, and the landscape of kidney value-based care oper…
- Caring for medically complex children: the case for PPEC | Jeffrey Soffen (Spark Pediatrics)
This episode features Jeffrey Soffen, CEO of Spark Pediatrics, discussing the challenges of caring for medically complex children and the financial aspects involved. The conversation explores Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) as an…
- The Grand Roundup: Novo-Hims partnership, UHS buys Talkspace, OpenEvidence's "Spotify of healthcare" strategy & Wiley partnership, and Idaho Microhospitals
The episode discusses significant developments in the healthcare sector, such as the renewed partnership between Hims and Novo Nordisk, Universal Health Services' acquisition of Talkspace, and OpenEvidence's collaboration with Wiley. It al…
- Why medically integrated dispensing is gaining traction amid PBM reform | Denali Cahoon & Tamiko Yamatani (House Rx)
Denali Cahoon and Tamiko Yamatani from House Rx discuss medically integrated dispensing and PBM reform, focusing on the "any willing pharmacy" provisions of Medicare. They explain what these provisions mean in practice and their inclusion…
- How state Medicaid programs are preparing for cell and gene therapies | Bruce Greenstein (Louisiana DoH) and Will Shrank (Aradigm)
This episode of Health Tech Nerds Radio features Bruce Greenstein and Will Shrank discussing how state Medicaid programs are preparing for cell and and gene therapies. They cover state and federal roles, payment models, operational challen…
- Why preventative care is hard to finance and how Truemed is trying to fix it | Justin Mares (Truemed)
Justin Mares, CEO of Truemed, discusses the difficulties in funding preventative care due to limited ROI data compared to pharmaceuticals. He explains Truemed's mission to enable individuals to use HSA/FSA funds for evidence-backed lifesty…