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 13: Ann Lewandowski, Co-Founder of Equitable Evidence
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In this episode of the Digital Health Heavyweights podcast, Norm Volsky interviews Ann Lewandowski, a leading healthcare advocate and founder of Equitable Evidence, to unpack the structural challenges driving rising healthcare costs. Anne shares her perspective on fiduciary duty, misaligned incentives, and the lack of transparency in employer-sponsored health plans. The conversation dives into the influence of PBMs, the complexity of drug pricing, and how employers can take a more active role in reducing waste and improving outcomes. Ann also explores the growing role of AI and data analytics in healthcare, while emphasizing the importance of trust, accountability, and system-wide reform. This episode is a powerful call to action for employers, advisors, and innovators looking to challenge the status quo.
Takeaways
⚖️ Fiduciary duty is critical for protecting employer and employee interests in healthcare.
💸 Misaligned incentives are a root cause of rising healthcare costs.
🔍 Transparency in pricing and contracts is essential for meaningful reform.
💊 PBMs play a significant role in drug pricing complexity and cost inflation.
📊 Data-driven decision making can help identify and eliminate healthcare waste.
🤝 Employers should engage independent advocates to evaluate healthcare strategies.
🏢 Employer-sponsored health plans are a key lever for system-wide change.
🤖 AI has strong potential but must be built on trust and accountability.
🚀 Challenging legacy systems requires collaboration and bold leadership.
🌱 Personal wellness and resilience are important when driving industry changes.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Healthcare Advocacy
02:10 Personal Journey into Healthcare Advocacy
04:24 Navigating the Healthcare System: A Personal Story
09:32 Understanding Healthcare Decision-Making
15:48 Fiduciary Duty in Healthcare
18:53 Denials and PBM Influence on Coverage
24:41 Understanding Healthcare Costs and Incentives
28:10 The Role of AI in Patient Care
31:56 Building the Healthcare Rebel Alliance
33:00 Challenging Existing Power Structures
38:27 Engaging Employers and Advisors
42:54 Evaluating Digital Health Solutions
45:13 Empowering Employers in Healthcare
46:15 The Importance of Trust in AI
49:28 Personal Well-being and Healthy Living
51:39 Outro
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