ONLY HEALTHCARE

EP 42 | GLP-1s Explained: Breakthrough Therapy, Budget Disruptor, or Both?

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0500

GLP-1 medications have moved from diabetes treatment to a cultural phenomenon in record time. But beyond the headlines and celebrity endorsements lies a far more complex story.

In Episode 42, Dr. Randy Vogenberg breaks down what GLP-1s actually are, how they function in the body, and why they are reshaping conversations around obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular risk, and employer health plan budgets. From Ozempic and Wegovy to emerging alternatives, this episode explores the clinical promise, the side effects, and the financial shockwaves hitting plan sponsors across the country.

For pharmaceutical leaders, HR executives, consultants, and policy stakeholders, this conversation goes beyond weight loss. It addresses what happens when innovation outpaces coverage strategy and how benefit decision makers are responding to one of the most disruptive drug classes in recent history.

Key Topics

What GLP-1 medications are and how they work
The science behind metabolic syndrome and weight regulation
GLP-1s vs. SGLT2 inhibitors
From diabetes treatment to weight loss demand
GLP-1s as an alternative to bariatric surgery
Cardiovascular and metabolic benefits
Side effects and risk considerations
Employer and government plan coverage challenges
Budget impact and utilization explosion
Long-term implications for benefit design and market access

Episode Chapters with Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction to Healthcare 101: GLP-1s
00:32 – What are GLP-1 medications?
01:01 – How GLP-1s affect appetite, digestion, and blood sugar
02:48 – Understanding metabolic syndrome
04:20 – Lifestyle factors vs. pharmaceutical intervention
05:30 – GLP-1s vs. SGLT2 inhibitors
06:45 – From bariatric surgery to pharmaceutical alternative
07:56 – Plan sponsor perspective and coverage disruption
09:13 – Who qualifies and why coverage changed
09:27 – Side effects and real world risks
10:52 – Cardiovascular approvals and expanded indications
11:59 – Type 1 vs. Type 2 diabetes management
13:46 – Final thoughts on the future of GLP-1s

Michael's LinkedIn

Randy's LinkedIn

Sponsored by:
Peek: A game-changing prescription shopping solution that allows its members to view all their prescription cost options across cash discount programs and their insurance in one easy-to-use platform. Peek is currently being offered to organizations to help both employees and plan sponsors save money on their prescription spend. https://peekmeds.com/.

Institute for Integrated Health (IIH): Health care benefits, insurance coverage regulations, and doing business in the healthcare industry can be complicated. At IIH, Dr. Randy Vogenberg and his team understand these unique challenges and provides strategic guidance customized to every client. To help overcome your unique challenges, IIH delivers education, planning and advisory on market trends, and U.S. health care market intelligence. The firm’s decades of proven success are due to strategic collaboration with associates from the business, clinical, and scientific communities. https://iih-online.com/.

Ep 41 | Healthcare 101: Who Really Controls Cost, Access, and Coverage?

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0500

In this inaugural Healthcare 101 segment, Dr. Randy Vogenberg breaks down the fundamentals of the American health insurance system. From the evolution of employer-sponsored coverage to the rise of managed care and vertical integration, this episode explores why healthcare feels so complex and where the money actually flows.

Listeners will gain clarity on the role of middlemen, cost shifting, site of care decisions, and what individuals can do to better navigate the system. Whether you are an employer, industry leader, or consumer, this episode offers foundational insights to help you make more informed healthcare decisions.

Key Topics

The historical evolution of the American health insurance system
Cost, access, and quality as the core healthcare triangle
Employer-sponsored coverage and government programs
The rise of managed care and third-party intermediaries
Vertical integration and consolidation in healthcare
Who the “middlemen” are and how they influence costs
Transparency challenges in healthcare pricing
Cash pay options vs. traditional insurance pathways
How consumers and employers can become more engaged

Episode Chapters with Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to Healthcare 101
00:34 – What is the American health insurance system?
01:04 – How cost, access, and quality shape healthcare
03:55 – Why the system is so complicated
05:20 – Who are the key players in healthcare?
07:15 – The role of middlemen and consolidation
09:16 – Vertical integration explained
09:59 – What individuals can do to navigate the system
11:51 – Cash pricing vs. traditional insurance models
13:00 – Why understanding the system matters

Ep 40 | Engaging the Healthcare Consumer: Transparency, Trust, and the Skills We Are Missing

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Only Healthcare Podcast, Michael Navin and Randy Vogenberg welcome Lynn Hanessian, founder of Engager, for a wide-ranging discussion on why healthcare engagement has become a critical challenge for employers, providers, and consumers. Drawing on her background in economics, healthcare communications, and strategy, Lynn explains how rising costs, shifting information sources, and complex benefit designs are placing new demands on patients who are not equipped to navigate them.

The conversation explores transparency, trust, technology, AI, employer responsibility, and the growing need to teach consumers how to engage with healthcare decisions in real time.

Key Topics Discussed
• Why healthcare engagement has become a missing skill
• The shift of cost and decision-making to patients
• How employers have become the most trusted healthcare messenger
• Transparency gaps in pricing and plan design
• Changing information behaviors and the rise of generative search
• AI, technology, and their limits in improving care today
• Consumer confusion around access, urgency, and cost
• Public trust, misinformation, and the burden on providers
• What engagement must look like for the future of care

Episode Chapters with Time-Stamps
00:05 – Welcome and introduction
01:05 – Lynn Hannessian’s background and focus on engagement
03:32 – Defining engagement and identifying critical audiences
05:06 – Employers, patients, and the information gap
06:12 – Shifts in how people seek healthcare information
09:22 – Care management, stakeholders, and alignment challenges
12:13 – Transparency tools and pricing visibility
15:06 – Empowering consumers to question costs
16:07 – Building healthcare literacy and decision skills
18:02 – Trust, misinformation, and public health messaging
21:10 – AI, post-COVID acceleration, and system strain
24:58 – Access challenges in rural and underserved areas
26:37 – Expectations of consumers and providers
29:41 – Policy, JPMorgan conference insights, and what is coming
34:25 – Specialty care growth and employer readiness
36:11 – Multi-generational care complexity
37:51 – Closing thoughts and where engagement goes next

Ep 39 | The Great American Healthcare Heist: Transparency, Power, and What Must Change

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Only Healthcare Podcast, Michael Navin and Randy Vogenberg welcome healthcare attorney, policy advocate, and author Chris Deacon for an in-depth conversation on how structural incentives, middlemen, and lack of transparency have reshaped the U.S. healthcare system.

Drawing from her experience overseeing New Jersey’s state health benefits program and her book The Great American Healthcare Heist, Chris explains how employers and public sector plans are increasingly squeezed by rising costs, opaque pharmacy benefit structures, hospital consolidation, and technology deployed to optimize revenue rather than reduce spend. The episode explores why understanding contracts, data, and incentives is critical and where real opportunities for reform may still exist.

Key Topics Discussed
• How healthcare incentives became misaligned across the system
• Why transparency is essential to restoring affordability
• The evolving role and impact of pharmacy benefit managers
• FDA approval, drug marketing, and assumptions about efficacy
• Vertical integration and the corporatization of medicine
• Public sector healthcare insolvency and budget crowd-out
• How AI is being used to optimize billing rather than reduce costs
• Practical levers employers can use to regain control

Episode Chapters with Time-Stamps
00:04 – Welcome and introduction to Chris Deacon
01:01 – Chris’s background in public service and healthcare oversight
03:12 – Why state healthcare plans mirror the commercial market
04:16 – The motivation behind The Great American Healthcare Heist
07:28 – Training gaps and healthcare literacy challenges
09:07 – Pharmacy benefits, PBMs, and middlemen dynamics
12:21 – FDA approval, drug marketing, and flawed assumptions
14:49 – Healthcare spending surpasses $5 trillion
16:04 – Public sector insolvency and budget crowd-out
18:54 – AI, revenue optimization, and unintended consequences
20:17 – Hospital consolidation and vertical integration
23:20 – Transparency, direct contracting, and paths forward
26:22 – Practical levers employers can pull today
29:19 – Early signs of market change
31:27 – Closing reflections and call to action

Ep 38 | Rethinking Risk: How Employers Prepare for Cell and Gene Therapy

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 10:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Only Healthcare Podcast, hosts Michael Navin and Randy Vogenberg are joined by Luke Prettol, benefits strategy leader at AT&T, for a deep dive into how employers are preparing for the growing impact of cell and gene therapies. The conversation focuses less on headline costs and more on the real risk employers face as utilization increases, therapies evolve, and benefit design struggles to keep pace.

Luke explains how AT&T defines success in benefits strategy, prioritizing patient outcomes while staying ahead of market trend. He walks through how large employers think about claim size, long-term value, and the growing complexity tied to treatment risk, provider selection, and fair pricing. The episode explores why rare disease therapies will no longer be one-off events, how proactive patient identification and centers of excellence can reduce risk, and why employers must plan several years ahead instead of reacting year to year.

Key Topics Discussed
• How employers define success beyond lowest cost
• Why cell and gene therapies create new risk challenges
• Treatment risk, provider risk, and financial risk explained
• Why rare diseases are becoming more common at scale
• Planning for 3–7 year benefit strategy horizons
• Proactive patient identification and care navigation
• Centers of excellence and site-of-care decisions
• Managing pricing certainty and outcome accountability
• Budget volatility, stop-loss pressure, and financial risk
• Structural challenges including ERISA erosion and data gaps

Episode Chapters & Timestamps
00:04 Welcome and episode overview
01:36 Luke Prettol background and role at AT&T
02:21 How employers define winning in benefits strategy
03:30 Claim size versus outcomes and long-term value
06:45 The three core risks employers must manage
08:30 Why cell and gene therapies change the risk equation
10:34 Rare disease growth and planning for 2030
13:19 Lessons from specialty drug adoption
15:24 Proactive patient identification and early intervention
19:50 Centers of excellence and treatment accuracy
22:03 Predictability, data, and risk reduction
23:26 ROI, retention, and member experience
26:22 The employer “triple pain” framework
32:35 Defining success and planning beyond today
36:06 Closing remarks

Ep 37 | Why Employers Are Reinvesting in Primary Care and What It Means for Cost, Care, and Engagement

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500

Employers are no longer waiting for healthcare costs to stabilize. In this episode, Randy Vogenberg and Michael Navin are joined by Murray Harbour to break down why advanced primary care, direct contracting, and value-based benefit design are moving from pilot ideas to core employer strategies.

The conversation examines how employers are shifting away from traditional networks, why prevention and engagement continue to struggle at scale, and what is finally changing in 2025 and beyond. From GLP-1 program missteps to bundled care models and local primary care solutions, this episode offers real-world examples of how employers can regain control of cost while improving access and outcomes.

Key Topics Discussed

Why employer healthcare renewals are driving new benefit strategies
The difference between direct primary care and advanced primary care models
Evidence behind primary care investment and long-term cost control
Why ROI is giving way to the value of investment in benefits planning
Employer frustration with access, billing complexity, and care delays
How self-funded employers are bypassing traditional networks
What GLP-1s revealed about program design and wraparound care
PBM contract limitations and emerging workarounds
The growing role of local, high-touch primary care models
What benefit planning for 2026 and 2027 is starting to look like

Episode Chapters and Timestamps

00:00 Welcome and guest introduction
01:40 What is changing for employers post-pandemic
02:40 Does primary care investment actually lower costs
03:45 ROI versus value of investment in benefits
04:40 Prevention, wellness, and engagement challenges
05:55 Direct vs advanced primary care explained
06:55 Why employers are bypassing traditional networks
08:10 Provider systems adopting advanced primary care
09:50 Why benefits moved down and back up the priority list
11:05 Legislative incentives and misalignment
13:20 What employers are planning for 2026
14:55 PBM contracts and pharmacy control
16:50 Multi-generational benefits and engagement
18:00 How younger workers are reshaping benefit expectations
21:05 Why change happens slowly and strategically
24:15 The future of advanced primary care and local models
27:45 Primary care as the quarterback of care
28:40 Closing thoughts and wrap-up

Ep 36 | Drug Pricing at the Center: IRA, MFN, and Employer Direct Purchasing in 2026

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 10:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Only Healthcare Podcast, hosts Michael Navin and Dr. Randy Vogenberg welcome back Jayson Slotnick for a fast-moving year-in-review of 2025 and a grounded outlook for 2026. The conversation breaks down what changed through the Inflation Reduction Act implementation, why Most Favored Nation pricing keeps resurfacing, and how these policy forces could ripple across Medicare, Medicaid, and employer-sponsored coverage.

Jayson also explores how direct purchasing, transparent pricing models, and the shifting PBM landscape may affect affordability, access, and benefit design. From Part D redesign and underused smoothing to biosimilars, 340B dynamics, and the role of the FDA in driving competition, this episode connects the policy headlines to what employers, manufacturers, and plans should realistically watch next.

Key Topics
• 2025 recap: IRA implementation and Part D redesign
• Drug negotiation timelines and spillover effects
• Most Favored Nation pricing: what is voluntary vs mandatory
• Patient affordability: premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket pressure
• Employer direct purchasing, net pricing, and PBM disruption
• Biosimilars, patent cliffs, and what 2027 could change
• 340B, hospital economics, and who really benefits from drug money
• FDA’s role: faster approvals, competition, and innovation
• 2026 watchlist: Part B negotiation list, CMS rules, ACA dynamics, CMMI models

Chapters
00:04 Welcome and intro to Jayson Slotnick
02:04 2025 recap: IRA, CMS, affordability pressures
02:45 Predictable vs unpredictable: Part D redesign, MFN momentum
06:22 IRA vs MFN: separate lanes, real-world collisions
09:12 Voluntary MFN models, IRA is not voluntary
12:24 Employer net pricing and direct purchasing trends
16:30 Affordability, hospital costs, and 340B dynamics
18:57 FDA’s role: competition, generics, biosimilars, faster approvals
23:22 2026 predictions: what we know is coming
29:06 Stay current, stay calm, stay focused
31:51 Commercial market changes and employer leverage
39:33 Wrap and where to follow OHP

Ep 35 | Healthcare at a Breaking Point: Costs, Policy Gridlock, and What 2026 Holds

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Only Healthcare Podcast, hosts Michael Navin and Randy Vogenberg welcome back healthcare policy veteran Deborah Williams for a candid conversation on why 2025 became such a difficult year for employers, patients, and policymakers alike.

Coming off the tensions of the government shutdown and escalating healthcare costs, the discussion breaks down what is actually driving premium increases, prescription drug spending, hospital consolidation, and benefit design changes. Deborah draws on decades of Washington experience to explain why many policy ideas keep resurfacing, why they continue to fall short, and what risks lie ahead as the system moves into 2026.

From direct-to-consumer drug pricing and PBM reform to political gridlock and consumer backlash, this episode explores where healthcare policy may realistically land next and why affordability remains the unanswered question.

Key Topics Discussed

Why employer healthcare costs outpaced exchange inflation in 2025
Hospital consolidation and cost-shifting pressures
Prescription drug spending trends and policy spillover effects
Direct-to-consumer drug pricing and deductible portability
PBM reform debates and unintended consequences
Political gridlock, populism, and healthcare affordability
What employers, plans, and consumers may face in 2026

Chapters with Time Stamps

00:04 Welcome and episode framing
00:44 Deborah Williams' background and policy perspective
01:44 Why 2025 was a brutal year for employers
03:34 Hospital consolidation and cost shifting
04:35 Prescription drug costs and market pressure
07:15 Consumer behavior, adherence, and affordability
09:00 Political realities and exchange subsidies
12:08 Insurers, public sentiment, and misinformation
14:03 Drug pricing models and global comparisons
16:41 Employer leverage and failed market solutions
17:49 Emerging therapies and future cost risk
20:24 What could improve in 2026
24:26 Populism and the next policy inflection point

Ep 34 | ACNU Explained: How FDA’s New Nonprescription Pathway Could Expand Access and Improve Adherence

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:00:00 -0500

Recorded live at the Nicholas Hall North American Conference, this special episode of the Only Healthcare Podcast dives into the FDA’s new Additional Conditions for Nonprescription Use (ACNU) pathway and what it means for access, compliance, and the future of consumer healthcare.

Host Randy Vogenberg is joined by industry veterans Bob Stirling and Bob Barron, with questions moderated by Mary Alice Lawless. Together, they break down how ACNU differs from telepharmacy and direct to consumer models, why scale matters, and how built-in safeguards could enable safer nonprescription access to certain therapies, including acne treatments.

The conversation explores compliance challenges, payer dynamics, employer sponsored accounts like FSAs and MSAs, and why ACNU represents a fundamentally different approach to access that could benefit consumers, manufacturers, and plans alike. This episode provides essential context for anyone tracking FDA policy, OTC switches, market access strategy, or healthcare affordability.

Key Topics Discussed

• What ACNU is and how it differs from telepharmacy and DTC
• FDA safeguards and consumer level decision support
• Scale, retail access, and why shelf access matters
• Simultaneous Rx and nonprescription marketing considerations
• Compliance challenges in traditional Rx models
• Implications for payers, coverage, and benefit design
• The role of FSAs, HRAs, and MSAs in supporting access
• Why ACNU represents a new paradigm for consumer healthcare

Chapters with Time Stamps

00:04 Episode overview and ACNU context
01:27 ACNU vs telepharmacy and DTC models
02:48 Simultaneous marketing and provider oversight
03:33 Introduction to compliance and consumer engagement
04:18 Why traditional Rx compliance programs fall short
05:46 Payer and manufacturer cost dynamics
07:05 ACNU as a leadership opportunity for consumer health
07:51 Coverage, payers, and outcomes expectations
08:34 FSAs, HRAs, and MSAs in the ACNU ecosystem
09:57 Pricing stability and consumer affordability
10:45 Key takeaways from Nicholas Hall Conference

Ep 33 | Year in Review: The Healthcare Shifts That Defined 2025 and What’s Ahead in 2026

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0500

In this year-end episode of the Only Healthcare Podcast, hosts Randy Vogenberg and Michael Navin reflect on the defining healthcare shifts of 2025 and share what they are watching as the industry moves into 2026 and beyond.

The conversation looks back at the rise of consumer-driven healthcare, expanding price transparency requirements, and the growing pressure on affordability across both medical and pharmacy benefits. Randy and Michael discuss the continued disruption driven by GLP-1 utilization and pricing, emerging direct-to-consumer strategies from manufacturers, and why real change is finally starting to take hold after years of talk.

They also examine the growing role of litigation around ERISA plans, rebates, and fiduciary responsibility, along with increasing employer concern over employee loyalty, recruitment, and retention tied directly to healthcare benefits. Looking ahead, the episode explores trends toward self-funded plans, greater scrutiny of health plans and hospitals, cash-pay and consumer-controlled models, and long-term challenges facing Medicare as demographics and utilization shift.

The episode closes with a forward-looking perspective on economic uncertainty, workforce changes, and why healthcare transformation is likely to accelerate through 2026 and into 2027.

Key Topics Discussed

• The biggest healthcare shifts and controversies of 2025
• Consumer-driven healthcare and price transparency momentum
• GLP-1 utilization, affordability, and direct-to-patient pricing
• Litigation targeting ERISA plans, rebates, and fiduciary duties
• Employer health benefits, employee loyalty, and workforce pressure
• Growth of self-funded employer plans and ERISA implications
• Cash-pay models, HSAs, and consumer-controlled healthcare decisions
• Medicare strain, demographic shifts, and long-term system risk
• Economic outlook and its impact on healthcare access and coverage

Chapters

00:00 Year-end welcome and gratitude to listeners
01:00 Consumer-driven healthcare and transparency gains in 2025
03:30 GLP-1 pricing, utilization, and manufacturer responses
04:45 Litigation, ERISA plans, and affordability pressure
07:00 Employee loyalty, benefits strategy, and workforce impact
08:30 Shift toward self-funded employer plans
10:30 Looking ahead to 2026: transparency, disruption, and risk
12:30 Medicare strain, economic uncertainty, and future scenarios
14:20 Closing reflections and what’s next for Only Healthcare

Ep 32 | Exploring AI Patient Care and Clinical Decision Making with Carole Tremonti

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Only Healthcare Podcast, host Randy Vogenberg, PhD, is joined by Carole Tremonti of ConcertAI to recap insights from the Clinical Pathways Congress in Boston and discuss the Predictable Cost of Care initiative. Carole shares how the congress reflected stronger engagement, broader perspectives, and deeper integration across clinical pathways, oncology operations, and the business of cancer care.

The discussion highlights how pathways have evolved over the past five years through improved data capture and workflow automation, enabling population-level learning alongside more personalized treatment decisions. Carole also explains where AI can add near-term value in pathways by incorporating comorbidities, social determinants of health, and real-world evidence to help guide patients toward treatments they can sustain.

The episode concludes with an overview of the Predictable Cost of Care model, an effort to move beyond drug cost alone by estimating predictable treatment-related costs across six-month and one-year timeframes. Carole outlines key challenges, including variability in side effect management and the lack of shared standards, and shares next steps to validate the model with real data. The conversation closes on how this work could support better planning, clearer patient conversations, and reduced prior authorization friction through greater predictability and transparency.

Key Topics Discussed

Clinical Pathways Congress highlights and cross-functional alignment
Pathway evolution through improved workflows and data capture
Where AI adds practical value in oncology pathways
Why predictable cost matters more than retrospective total cost
What the Predictable Cost of Care model includes and excludes
Six-month and one-year cost windows for fair regimen comparison
Challenges in standardizing side effect management costs
Who benefits from the model across the healthcare ecosystem
Next steps and long-term potential for evidence-based decisions

Chapters
00:00 Welcome and guest introduction
03:00 Congress recap and key takeaways
07:00 Pathway evolution: data and workflow
12:00 AI in pathways and real-world decision support
18:00 Why predictable cost of care needed
22:00 Predictable Cost of Care model overview
29:00 Model inputs and time horizons
40:00 Side effect cost challenges
47:00 Stakeholder impact and use cases
52:00 Next steps and closing reflections

Ep 31 | The Next Chapter of Oncology Pathways: AI, Transparency, and What’s Next

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Only Healthcare Podcast, host Randy Vogenberg, PhD, sits down with consultant and longtime oncology pathways leader Gordon Kuntz to explore the evolution of the Clinical Pathways Congress and a new initiative focused on predictable cost of care in oncology. Gordon reflects on how oncology pathways have matured over the last two decades, why Congress has shifted from a primarily clinical lens to include business and operational strategy, and how artificial intelligence is beginning to move from theory into real-world oncology practice.

The conversation then turns to a multi-year effort to develop a Predictable Cost of Care model for oncology treatment decisions, recently published in the Journal of Clinical Pathways. Gordon explains why traditional pathway cost inputs have focused almost exclusively on drug price, why that approach no longer works, and how this new framework aims to capture a more complete picture of predictable costs, including drug administration, monitoring, side effect management, and patient touchpoints.

The episode concludes with a discussion on governance, measurement, and the broader value of predictable cost modeling for payers, providers, oncology practices, and employer plan sponsors seeking greater certainty and transparency in cancer care.

Key Topics Discussed
• The evolution of the Clinical Pathways Congress and its growing business focus
• How oncology pathways differ from guidelines and why efficacy, safety, and cost sequencing matter
• Why oncology remains a leading-edge specialty for innovation and change
• The real state of AI in oncology and where it is creating value today
• Who attends the Congress and what each stakeholder group is seeking
• Predictable cost of care versus total cost of care in oncology
• Core components of the Predictable Cost of Care model
• New use cases for payers, pathway developers, practices, and employers
• Incorporating patient experience and system touchpoints into cost modeling

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and guest overview
02:10 Clinical Pathways Congress history and milestones
06:30 Oncology pathways and guideline distinctions
11:20 AI in oncology today
17:00 Congress audience and stakeholder mix
22:30 Oncology as a test bed for innovation
27:40 Predictable Cost of Care model origins
33:30 Predictable versus total cost of care
39:00 Model inputs and trial-based data
46:20 Patient touchpoints and experience
52:10 Stakeholder applications
57:00 Governance and future direction

Ep 30 | ACNU Live Panels Follow-Up: Deep Dive Virtual Panel On FDA’s New ACNU Rule

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Only Healthcare Podcast, co-host Randy Vogenberg, PhD moves beyond the Nicholas Hall North America Conference to break down the FDA’s new Additional Conditions for Nonprescription. Guests Mary Alice Lawless, Ted Lawless, and Chelsea Ryan explain how ACNU grew from long-standing FDA concern over chronic undertreatment in conditions like hypertension, high cholesterol, asthma, and migraine, leading to the rule’s launch in May 2025.

Mary Alice outlines the public health need behind ACNU, showing how nonadherence drives avoidable hospitalizations, higher costs, and an estimated 125,000 preventable deaths each year. She explains why the FDA sees digitally supported nonprescription access as a safe way to expand treatment. Ted covers the financial implications, from algorithm-based tools that reduce development risk to the long-term value of direct consumer relationships.

Chelsea brings the retail view, describing why brick and mortar remains central even as consumers expect blended digital and in-store steps like ID checks and guided prompts. The conversation also explores equity, the limits of simple questionnaires, and how ACNU programs can use existing health data infrastructure to support lower-literacy and multilingual populations.

Key Topics
• Why ACNU was created to address undertreatment and access barriers.
• The public health toll of nonadherence and preventable hospitalizations.
• How ACNU differs from traditional OTC switches through added safety steps.
• The role of algorithm-driven digital pathways to verify safe use.
• How sponsors can forecast investment, timelines, and long-term value.
• Where ACNU fits in retail and omnichannel journeys.
• Consumer attitudes toward nonprescription access and required steps.
• How equity, literacy, and interoperable data shape ACNU tools.
• A sponsor roadmap covering education, alignment, and retail strategy.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:10 FDA motivations
09:30 Barriers driving nonadherence
14:20 ACNU structure and populations
20:15 Financial implications
27:30 Forecasting and consumer value
33:45 Retail and omnichannel strategy
40:10 Consumer attitudes
46:00 Equity and care design
53:30 Getting started
59:00 Final takeaways

Ep 29 | The Future of the Journal of Clinical Pathways with Winston Wong

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 07:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Only Healthcare Podcast, co-host Randy Vogenberg, PhD, sits down with Winston Wong, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Clinical Pathways, to explore the past, present, and future of one of the most influential publications in oncology care.

Winston shares how clinical pathways have evolved over more than two decades—from simple treatment sequencing tools designed to reduce variability, to comprehensive frameworks that now integrate personalized medicine, genomic testing, value-based care, and whole-person support. As the first and only editor-in-chief since the journal’s inception in 2015, Winston offers a unique perspective on how the publication has grown, adapted, and helped shape the national conversation around oncology quality, affordability, and outcomes.

Listeners will also get a behind-the-scenes look at the journal’s mission, how article categories have expanded across clinical, operational, economic, and palliative domains, and why JCP is now pursuing National Library of Medicine indexing to strengthen its credibility and impact for clinicians, employers, and researchers.

The episode concludes with a forward-looking discussion on what the next decade may bring for pathways—and how integrated care, social determinants of health, and evolving value-based care models will define the next frontier of oncology practice.

Key Topics Discussed

• The evolution of clinical pathways: From early-stage treatment sequencing to advanced tools supporting personalized oncology, genomic testing, and multidisciplinary care.

• The growth and mission of the Journal of Clinical Pathways: How JCP expanded from its 2015 launch to a nationally recognized publication advancing value-based oncology care.

• Article categories shaping the future of oncology: Prevention and diagnosis, treatment innovation, outcomes measurement, business infrastructure, predictive cost modeling, palliative care, and prehabilitation.

• The role of employers and managed care stakeholders: Why value-based care and clinical effectiveness require alignment between clinical quality and economic impact.

• The journal’s pursuit of NLM indexing: How indexing will enhance credibility, visibility, and submissions across clinical and health economics fields.

• The next decade of clinical pathways: Integration of whole-person care, personalized medicine, social disparities, and cross-journal collaboration.

Ep 28 | Insights from Health Rosetta Fest 2025

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 16:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Only Healthcare Podcast, hosts Randy Vogenberg, PhD, and Michael Navin unpack key insights from Health Rosetta Fest 2025, held in Denver, Colorado. This year’s event brought together more than 1,200 leaders across the healthcare ecosystem — from employers and brokers to innovators and policymakers — all focused on transforming how healthcare is purchased, delivered, and managed in the United States.

Michael shares firsthand takeaways from the conference, including how employers are taking a more active role in shaping healthcare strategy, the debut of Health Rosetta’s new Navigator tool, and the growing push for price transparency, fiduciary responsibility, and care navigation innovation.

The discussion highlights the rise of employer-driven healthcare reform, featuring examples of organizations improving employee care through on-site clinics, direct contracting, and transparent PBM solutions. The hosts also explore insights from author Chris Deacon (The Great Healthcare Heist) on systemic barriers, policy challenges, and the urgent need for accountability across payers, brokers, and hospital systems.

Listeners will gain an inside look at the cultural shift occurring within healthcare — from passive purchasing to proactive change — and learn how collaboration, data transparency, and new technologies are redefining the future of care delivery.

Key Topics Discussed:

Employer empowerment: How businesses are taking control of healthcare costs and outcomes
Transparency and fiduciary responsibility: Lessons from The Great Healthcare Heist
The Health Rosetta Navigator: A practical tool for plan sponsors to evaluate healthcare contracts
Direct primary care and on-site clinics: Proven strategies for better care and lower costs
AI and workforce evolution: Redefining healthcare roles through automation and care navigation
Case studies: How innovative employers are transforming benefits models

Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Why Health Rosetta Fest matters
03:00 Who attended and what made this year unique
07:00 Launching the Health Rosetta Navigator tool
10:00 Transparency, policy reform, and employer responsibility
15:00 Insights from The Great Healthcare Heist
20:00 The role of AI in healthcare navigation
24:00 Case studies: Direct care and on-site employer success stories
28:00 Closing reflections and looking ahead to Rosetta Fest 2026 in Nashville

Ep 27 | Nicholas Hall Panel Discussion 2: Nonprescription Access to Drug Treatment

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Only Healthcare Podcast, recorded live at the Nicholas Hall North America Conference, our panel explores how the FDA’s new Additional Conditions for Nonprescription Use (ACNU) rule could transform chronic disease management—particularly for diabetes—by empowering consumers and redefining self-care.

Hosts Randy Vogenberg, PhD, and Mary Alice Lawless are joined by Joe McGovern, Teresa DeSantis, and Bob Barron, experts in diabetes care, life sciences, and healthcare marketing. Together, they discuss how ACNU creates new opportunities for safer, more accessible, and affordable treatment options while enabling innovative digital care interventions that improve patient engagement and adherence.

Listeners will gain insight into how ACNU bridges clinical care, technology, and consumer empowerment—reshaping the future of nonprescription healthcare access..

Key Topics Discussed:

Diabetes as a Public Health Crisis: With 38.4 million diagnosed Americans and 9 million undiagnosed, non-adherence continues to drive higher costs and poor outcomes.
ACNU for Access and Adherence: How the FDA’s new rule opens the door for nonprescription treatment pathways—especially for chronic conditions like diabetes.
Digital Care Innovation: Personalized tools that deliver education, reminders, and ongoing support to help patients stay on track.
Retail and Employer Readiness: How retailers, marketers, and employers are preparing to implement ACNU to reduce costs and enhance consumer health outcomes.
Measuring Success: Why adherence tracking and consumer empowerment will define the next era of self-care.

EP 26 | OHPLive! Non prescription access to drug treatment

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 15:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Only Healthcare Podcast, recorded live at the Nicholas Hall North America Conference, our panel explores how the FDA’s new Additional Condition for Nonprescription Use (ACNU) rule is reshaping the future of consumer healthcare.

Hosts Randy Vogenberg, PhD, and Mary Alice Lawless are joined by experts Jim Parker and Bob Sterling to unpack the first major change to U.S. drug regulation since 1951. Together, they discuss how ACNU opens new pathways for safe, affordable, and equitable access to medications—bridging the gap between prescription and over-the-counter treatments.

Listeners will gain insight into the public health potential of nonprescription statins, the role of health plans and employers, the impact on retailers and PBMs, and how this policy could reduce costs while improving patient outcomes.

Breaking Down the $80 Billion 340B Drug Program with William Sarraille | Only Healthcare Podcast #25

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Only Healthcare, host Randy Vogenberg welcomes William Sarraille, retired senior partner from Sidley Austin's healthcare practice and nationally recognized expert in US healthcare law. As both a legal authority and rare disease patient himself, Bill exposes how the 340B drug discount program has evolved from a modest safety net initiative into an $80 billion profit machine that enriches hospitals while burdening employers and devastating patients with medical debt.

With 30 years of experience representing all stakeholders in the 340B ecosystem, Bill reveals the shocking reality: what began as Congress fixing a "boo-boo" in Medicaid drug pricing has become the single largest driver of healthcare consolidation and price inflation, with hospitals charging employers 150-400% markups while providing charity care to only 2.15% of patients on average.

Key Topics Discussed:

The $148 Billion Profit Explosion and Market Manipulation - New peer-reviewed IQVIA research reveals 80-100% of 340B's explosive growth from $6 billion in 2010 to $148 billion today stems from hospital utilization manipulation, not drug price increases, with hospitals charging employers 150-400% markups on discounted drugs while using profits to consolidate markets and eliminate competition
Medical Debt Crisis Despite Massive Hospital Profits - 340B hospitals average only 2.15% charity care spending despite $80 billion in annual profits, with patients never informed about assistance programs, making 340B the largest contributor to medical bankruptcies in America while only 3-5% of contract pharmacy transactions provide patient assistance despite 32% of Americans being uninsured or underinsured
The Employer Cost-Shift Trap and Transparency Failures - How self-interested brokers mislead employers with "50% discount" offers that represent markdowns from astronomically inflated charges, while 80% of 340B entities generating the most profits operate in complete opacity with no reporting requirements, feeding more dollars into hospital consolidation machines that raise prices on all healthcare services

The episode reveals how a program designed to help indigent patients has become a massive wealth extraction mechanism that enriches tax-exempt hospitals while bankrupting the very patients it claims to serve.

🎧 Listen now: onlyhealthcarepodcast.com

Hosted by: Randy Vogenberg, PhD

Guest: William Sarraille, Retired Senior Partner, Sidley Austin Healthcare Practice

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(04:00) Original 340B intent: fixing Medicaid pricing errors

(07:00) $148 billion profit explosion through utilization manipulation

(14:00) Medical debt crisis: 2.15% charity care despite massive profits

(20:00) Direct-to-consumer and transparency solutions

(24:00) How employers unknowingly feed the profit machine

(28:00) Medicare negotiation impacts on rare disease innovation

(37:00) Conclusion

How Cell and Gene Therapies Can Bankrupt Unprepared Employers with Tom Sondergeld | Only Healthcare Podcast #24

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Only Healthcare's Risk Series, hosts Michael Navin and Randy Vogenberg welcome Tom Sondergeld, managing partner of TS Consulting Group with over 30 years in healthcare benefit consulting and former senior advisor to McKinsey & Company. As a national leader in benefit design strategy and cancer survivor who has personally navigated the healthcare maze, Tom provides both professional expertise and patient perspective on the explosive growth of ultra-high-cost therapies threatening to devastate employer-sponsored health plans.

With 3,700 ultra-high-cost therapies in development and 30+ cell and gene therapies already approved by the FDA, Tom reveals how employers—especially mid-size companies with $2-4 million annual plans—face potential financial catastrophe from single claims reaching $4-7 million. Drawing from his experience managing benefits at major companies like Walgreens, he exposes the systemic failures that leave even healthcare experts lost in prior authorization labyrinths while outlining innovative solutions for survival.

Key Topics Discussed:

The $24 Million Reality Check for Large Employers - Predictive analytics reveal that large employers with massive populations likely face 6+ employees needing ultra-high-cost therapies at $4 million each, creating $24 million exposures that are increasingly difficult to hide, while mid-size employers with $2-4 million total plans face doubling of costs from single claims hitting at the worst possible times
The Prior Authorization Hell Even Experts Can't Navigate - Tom's personal experience being lost in prior authorization systems despite 30+ years of healthcare expertise, unable to reach decision-makers or understand requirements, highlighting how the system sidelines patients when they need advocates most, with navigation becoming a "magical" skill that third parties possess but patients and employers lack
Breaking Down Healthcare's Wall Between Stakeholders - The artificial separation between pharmaceutical manufacturers, providers, and employers that prevents direct conversations and cost management, with successful examples like Boeing and Caterpillar achieving demonstrable savings through direct contracting, while traditional middlemen create opacity that benefits no one except intermediaries

The episode reveals that employers must abandon traditional "peanut butter" formulary approaches and embrace value-based benefit designs that connect high-cost therapies with comprehensive care programs, while building coalitions to achieve the 2-3 million member risk pools necessary for predictable cost management.

🎧 Listen now: onlyhealthcarepodcast.com

Hosted by: Michael Navin & Randy Vogenberg, PhD

Guest: Tom Sondergeld, Managing Partner, TS Consulting Group

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:00) Ultra-high-cost therapy pipeline: 3,700 treatments coming

(08:00) Manufacturer-employer partnerships emerging

(11:00) Large employer awareness gaps on therapy exposure

(16:00) Reference-based pricing and purchasing alliance solutions

(22:00) Prior authorization nightmares: lost in the system

(26:00) Emotional vs. financial decision-making frameworks

(29:00) Manufacturer warranties and risk-sharing innovations

(32:00) Large employer coalition leadership imperative

(36:00) Value-based benefit design implementation strategies

(37:00) Conclusion

Healthcare’s Lightning Strike Cost Problem with Drew Wilkins | Only Healthcare Podcast #23

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Only Healthcare's Risk Series, hosts Michael Navin and Randy Vogenberg welcome Drew Wilkins, Managing Director at Monitor Deloitte with over 20 years of consulting experience in corporate strategy and innovation. As an expert in access and health with deep expertise in life sciences, Drew reveals how cell and gene therapies are fundamentally breaking America's employer-sponsored healthcare system—not through gradual cost increases, but through unpredictable "lightning strike" events that can cost $3-5 million per patient.

Drawing from his extensive work with biopharmaceutical companies and self-insured employers, Drew exposes the fundamental mismatch between a healthcare system designed to amortize costs over a plan year and breakthrough therapies that deliver potentially curative results in a single treatment. With the average drug development cost reaching $2.6 billion over 12 years with only a 10% success rate, he explains why these therapies command million-dollar price tags while proposing innovative risk-pooling solutions that could revolutionize healthcare financing.

Key Topics Discussed:

The Healthcare System's Lightning Strike Problem - How America's post-WWII employer healthcare model designed to spread predictable annual costs is fundamentally incompatible with one-time curative therapies costing $3-5 million, creating unpredictable "lightning strike" financial events that smaller self-insured employers cannot absorb, while traditional stop-loss insurance becomes prohibitively expensive as thresholds approach treatment costs

The Plan Year Trap and Long-Term Investment Dilemma - Why healthcare's annual budgeting cycle prevents employers from making rational long-term investments like GLP-1 coverage for weight loss, since cardiovascular and diabetes benefits accrue over 5-10 years but employee tenure averages 12-24 months, creating perverse incentives to defer preventative care and push costs to future employers

Revolutionary Risk Pool Innovation for Ultra-High-Cost Therapies - Drew's novel approach to carve out cell and gene therapies from traditional employer benefits into consolidated risk pools that spread costs across multiple employers on a per-member-per-month basis, creating predictability for budgeting while maintaining coverage, similar to reinsurance but bringing risk management closer to self-insured employers

The episode reveals how rebate models designed for traditional pharmaceuticals fail spectacularly with ultra-high-cost therapies, where patients pay co-insurance based on list prices while payers receive massive rebates months later, creating cash flow crises for smaller employers and access barriers for patients who need immediate treatment.

Hosted by: Michael Navin & Randy Vogenberg, PhD

Guest: Drew Wilkins, Managing Director, Monitor Deloitte

🎧 Listen now: onlyhealthcarepodcast.com

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(04:00) Post-WWII healthcare system design flaws exposed

(08:00) Stop-loss insurance limitations and rising costs

(13:00) Novel risk pooling models for cell and gene therapy

(18:00) Rebate model failures and transparency imperative

(23:00) Why $5 million therapies are actually cost-effective

(28:00) Warranty models and value-based contracting evolution

(33:00) AI's role in drug discovery and patient identification

(37:00) Conclusion

The Hidden Agenda of Healthcare Insurance with Tamara Thomas | Only Healthcare Podcast #22

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Only Healthcare, hosts Randy Vogenberg and Michael Navin welcome Tamara Thomas, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Urban Health Today, for a candid discussion about the consumer perspective on America's broken healthcare system. Drawing from her extensive background in health disparities coverage and a shocking revelation from an insurance executive years ago, Tamara exposes the fundamental conflict between profit motives and patient care.

With her unique lens as both a healthcare journalist and certified health coach, Tamara joins Randy and Michael in dissecting how insurance companies have systematically extracted value from the healthcare system while leaving patients, providers, and employers bearing the financial burden. Together, they reveal practical solutions for consumers to navigate and escape the current system's stranglehold.

Key Topics Discussed:

The Insurance Industry's True Confession - Tamara's undergraduate encounter with a student health insurance underwriter who openly admitted their goal was "to make as much money as possible and spend as little money as possible," revealing the industry's fundamental misalignment with patient needs
Provider Shortage Crisis and Root Causes - How financial disincentives drive talented individuals away from healthcare careers, with medical school debt reaching $500,000 while reimbursements decline, forcing physicians into corporate employment or high-paying specialties instead of primary care
Healthcare Price Transparency Failures - Real-world examples of mandated hospital pricing files being deliberately incomprehensible, while tools like Peak's transparent pricing platform can reduce costs by 80% (EEG example: $4,000 reduced to $800 through negotiation)
The Managed Care Extraction Machine - Tamara's personal story of fighting managed Medicaid for her dying mother's basic needs, and how removing the managed care component immediately opened access to necessary equipment and services
Diversity Crisis in Healthcare Workforce - Startling statistics showing 65% of physicians are white while representing 75% of population, with underrepresented minorities unable to pursue primary care due to debt burdens, creating care deserts in communities that need it most
PBM Rebate Manipulation Exposed - Concrete example of pharmaceutical CEO needing to charge $1,200 monthly to net $200 profit due to 70% PBM rebate demands, demonstrating how middlemen extract maximum value while patients pay inflated prices
Alternative Healthcare Models - Health Rosetta's employer-driven procurement approach, HSAs as wealth-building tools, and direct-pay models that eliminate insurance interference while providing catastrophic coverage

The episode reveals that healthcare dysfunction isn't accidental—it's designed to frustrate patients and providers while enriching intermediaries, but practical solutions exist for those willing to think differently about healthcare purchasing.

🎧 Listen now: onlyhealthcarepodcast.com

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:00) Provider shortage crisis: financial disincentives and career barriers

(09:00) Healthcare price transparency mandates vs. reality

(16:00) Virtual care rollbacks and quality vs. profitability concerns

(20:00) Insurance industry's profit-first confession and system design

(24:00) Tamara's managed care nightmare with her mother's terminal illness

(29:00) Healthcare workforce diversity crisis and access implications

(34:00) Primary care marketing challenges and patient navigation patterns

(39:00) Drug shortage crisis and supply chain vulnerabilit

Breaking the Healthcare Monopoly with Dave Chase and Steve Ditto | Only Healthcare Podcast #21

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Only Healthcare, hosts Michael Navin and Dr. Randy Vogenberg welcome two healthcare transformation pioneers: Dave Chase, co-founder of Health Rosetta, and Steve Ditto, compliance advisor and founder of Ditto and Associates. Together, they reveal how employers can slash healthcare costs by 50% or more while improving employee benefits through strategic procurement and fiduciary compliance.

With decades of experience in healthcare technology and benefits consulting, Dave and Steve break down the systemic failures that have turned healthcare into a $5 trillion extraction machine, and more importantly, show the proven blueprint that thousands of employers are using to reclaim control and turn healthcare waste into business prosperity.

Key Topics Discussed:

The PBM Evolution from Helper to Extractor - How pharmacy benefit managers transformed from value-adding organizations in the early days to complex revenue extraction machines with up to 50 different revenue streams, now owning their own drug companies
The $540 Million Success Story - Real case study of Rosen Hotels (500-5,000 employees) saving cumulative millions through primary care focus, direct contracting, and PBM bypass strategies, enabling full college tuition coverage for employees and their children
Open Source Healthcare Revolution - Health Rosetta's $4 million investment in open-sourcing procurement standards, contracting templates, and data platforms through Nautilus Health Institute to democratize healthcare transformation
PBM Field Guide Launch - New standardized tools including RFPs, contract terms, and evaluation criteria to help employers and advisors navigate away from conflicted PBMs toward transparent alternatives

The fundamental insight: healthcare dysfunction isn't accidental—it's codified in legal agreements. But employers who embrace fiduciary responsibilities and apply basic procurement principles can achieve remarkable results, turning the 30-50% healthcare waste into a competitive advantage and employee prosperity.

Learn more about Rosetta Fest by clicking here. Disrupting Healthcare: Join the Brightest Minds, Leaders, and Change Makers at RosettaFest 2025 on August 24-27, 2025 in Colorado Convention Center - Denver, CO.

🎧 Listen now: onlyhealthcarepodcast.com

Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasedave/
Steve’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenditto/
Randy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randyvogenberg/
Michael’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-navin-7411388/

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction and guest backgrounds

(02:00) Personal healthcare system failures that drove mission

(05:00) System transformation necessity and Health Rosetta's archaeological approach

(10:00) Common sense healthcare principles: primary care foundation

(14:00) PBM procurement control and pharmacy supply chain optimization

(18:00) ERISA compliance as competitive advantage and ROI driver

(22:00) Mid-market disruption strategy and proven scalability

(27:00) Open source approach and Nautilus Health Institute launch

(31:00) Community transformation examples and e

GLP-1s: The Billion Dollar Dilemma in US Healthcare with Deborah Williams | Only Healthcare Podcast #20

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Only Healthcare, hosts Michael Navin and Dr. Randy Vogenberg welcome guest Deborah Williams, a leading healthcare strategy and policy expert, to explore the explosive growth and complex economics of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy.

With her extensive background working on Medicare Part D legislation and with major pharmaceutical companies, Deborah breaks down how these breakthrough diabetes and weight loss drugs exemplify everything wrong with America's healthcare incentive structure.

Key Topics Discussed:

Explosive Market Growth & Cost Impact - GLP-1 scripts increased 442% between 2021-2023, creating a market three times larger than cancer spending, with list prices reaching $1,400 monthly while costing only $60 in Germany
Coverage vs. Affordability Crisis - Only 33% of employers cover obesity indications, with 17 state employee plans dropping coverage due to budget constraints, while patients face full list prices until hitting deductibles
PBM-Driven Pricing Distortion - Real-world example of a CEO needing to charge $930 monthly to net $200 profit due to PBM rebate demands, while a $63 diabetes alternative (Steglatro) gets excluded because it offers no rebate opportunity
Direct-Pay Solutions & Reform - Analysis of Lilly Direct and Novo Cares programs that bypass traditional middlemen, offering vial-and-syringe options at net pricing similar to post-rebate costs but as cash-pay transactions

The fundamental problem isn't just drug pricing, it's a system where every stakeholder is incentivized to maximize revenue rather than patient health outcomes, with PBMs controlling access based on rebate potential rather than clinical effectiveness.

🎧 Listen now: onlyhealthcarepodcast.com

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction
(02:00) GLP-1 category overview and 442% script growth explosion
(06:00) Patient engagement challenges: lifestyle vs. medication approach
(10:00) Coverage gaps: employer plans dropping obesity coverage
(16:00) PBM rebate demands forcing artificial price inflation
(23:00) Compounding alternatives and FDA policy changes
(27:00) Direct-pay programs: Lilly Direct and Novo Cares analysis
(31:00) Future outlook and policy reform recommendations

Why Are Prescription Drugs So Expensive with Michael Navin & Dr. Randy Vogenberg | Only Healthcare Podcast #19

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Only Healthcare, hosts Michael Navin and Dr. Randy Vogenberg dive deep into one of America's most pressing healthcare questions: Why are prescription drugs so expensive?

Michael, a leading expert in biotech market access and commercialization strategies, unpacks the complex web of pricing decisions, negotiations, and middleman systems that drive up drug costs for patients and employers alike.

Key Topics Discussed:

Drug Pricing Fundamentals - How pharmaceutical companies set initial prices based on market research, differentiation analysis, and anticipated rebate demands from pharmacy benefit managers
PBM Rebate Evolution - The dramatic shift from 10-25% rebates in the early 2000s to today's 50-80% rebate demands, and how this has fundamentally distorted market pricing
Patient Cost-Sharing Crisis - Why patients pay full list prices until hitting deductibles while rebates flow to PBMs, leading to $24 billion in pharmaceutical industry copay assistance programs in 2023
Technology Solutions & Reform - How AI-driven pricing transparency, machine-readable rebate files, and direct-pay programs from companies like Lilly and Novo are beginning to bypass traditional middlemen

The broken pricing system isn't just complex. it's actively preventing market competition and forcing patients to pay inflated prices while PBMs profit more than drug manufacturers themselves.

🎧 Listen now: onlyhealthcarepodcast.com

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction
(01:00) Drug company pricing strategy fundamentals
(04:00) Evolution of PBM rebates from 10% to 50%+
(07:00) Real-world pricing example: Why $60 drugs can't compete with $700 alternatives
(10:00) How PBMs now make more money than drug companies
(16:00) The $24 billion patient assistance crisis
(20:00) Technology solutions and transparency reform
(22:00) Key takeaways for system change

Why the US Spends the Most on Healthcare But Gets the Worst Outcomes with Dr. Randy Vogenberg & Michael Navin | Only Healthcare Podcast #18

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Only Healthcare, we tackle the fundamental question: Why does the US spend more on healthcare than any other country yet rank last in outcomes?

Key Topics:

The cost-outcome paradox – How $12,000 per capita spending leads to worst-in-class life expectancy and preventable death rates among developed nations
System misalignment – Why emergency care dominates over preventative care, driving up costs while reducing effectiveness
Administrative waste – The $600 billion to $2 trillion in wasteful spending caused by middlemen, lack of transparency, and disconnected care
Patient empowerment strategies – Practical steps individuals can take to navigate the system, from research and advocacy to choosing integrated care models like Mayo Clinic and Kaiser

Despite the challenges, this isn't about bad medicine or bad people – it's about broken processes that can be fixed through transparency, accountability, and putting power back in the hands of patients and providers.

🎧 Listen now: onlyhealthcarepodcast.com

-

Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:00) US healthcare spending vs. outcomes data
(03:00) Emergency care cost drivers
(05:00) Insurance coverage and preventative care gaps
(08:00) Administrative waste and pharmaceutical pricing
(12:00) Successful healthcare models (Mayo Clinic, Kaiser, Cleveland Clinic)
(17:00) Patient advocacy and proactive health strategies
(22:00) Human toll and social determinants of health

Secrets to Solutions: How Real-Time Pricing Data Can Heal Healthcare

Tue, 20 May 2025 08:00:00 -0400

“Trillions of dollars are working against transparency.”

In this explosive episode of the Only Healthcare Podcast, hosts Michael Navin and Randy Vogenberg, PhD, sit down with Mark Galvin, CEO of Talon Health, to expose the powerful forces fighting to keep healthcare costs opaque—and why that’s costing you more than you realize. Whether you're an employer, patient, policymaker, or provider, this episode is your wake-up call.

Mark, a seasoned tech disruptor, unveils how Talon Health is dismantling the infrastructure that hides healthcare pricing from consumers. From his early work influencing White House legislation to building Transparency 2.0, Mark shows how true price transparency could save consumers billions of dollars.

But here’s the truth:

"There’s a $2.5 trillion reason the system doesn’t want you to know the price."

We unpack how regulations like the Transparency in Coverage Rule and Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) are reshaping fiduciary liability, and how employers are now legally responsible for understanding and disclosing what their healthcare dollars are buying.

Key Highlights:

How Healthcare Became a Black Box: Why costs are hidden and who profits from the confusion.
Regulatory Whiplash: The truth about the No Surprises Act, PBM kickbacks, gag clauses, and why employers are next in line for class-action lawsuits.
Disrupting the Monopoly: How big insurers and third-party administrators are quietly doubling as manufacturers and price-setters—and what that means for your wallet.
The Consumer Revolution: Why empowering people to shop for care like they shop on Amazon is the future—and the biggest threat to the current healthcare economy.

🔗 Connect with Talon Health:
Website: Talon Health
LinkedIn: Mark Galvin

🎧 Stay Connected with the Only Healthcare Podcast:
Website: onlyhealthcarepodcast.com
LinkedIn: Only Healthcare
Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, and more.

Biosimilar Breakdown: Can Lower Drug Prices Survive the PBM Squeeze?

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Featured Guest: Stan Mehr — Editor of Biosimilars Review & Report, healthcare journalist, and market strategist with decades of expertise in biosimilars, pharma reform, and drug pricing dynamics. https://biosimilarsrr.com/about/

In this critical episode, we explore the evolving biosimilars landscape, pricing transparency, and the tangled web of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) with biosimilars expert Stan Mehr. From inflated rebates to private-label manipulation, Stan sheds light on how PBMs and policy changes under the Inflation Reduction Act are reshaping access to lower-cost drugs.

If you're an employer, payer, or pharma manufacturer navigating the biosimilar space, this episode is your roadmap to understanding where opportunity lives—and where it's quietly being suffocated.

Key Topics Covered:

The $25B+ in biosimilar savings… and why it could vanish
Why employers aren’t seeing those savings—and how PBMs control the game
The problem with private-label biosimilars
How the Inflation Reduction Act could unintentionally collapse biosimilar pipelines
What fiduciary responsibility means for employer health plans
Long-term predictions: who survives, who exits, and who profits

Confronting the Affordability Crisis: Unmasking the True Cost of Healthcare

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Join us as we examine the heart of the healthcare affordability crisis.

In this episode, Michael Navin and Randy Vogenberg, PhD discuss the hidden costs exacerbating healthcare access and decision-making.

Listen in as they set the stage for a compelling conversation about healthcare's lack of price transparency and how this obscurity fuels an ongoing affordability crisis.

Key Discussion Points:

Examining how opaque pricing impacts patient decisions and the healthcare system.
Insights into technological advancements that could revolutionize how patients and plan sponsors view and manage healthcare expenses.
Discuss the pivotal role of price transparency in improving healthcare outcomes and reducing unnecessary expenditures.

Clear Costs, Clearer Choices: Unpacking Trump’s Transparency Drive in Healthcare

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 15:00:00 -0500

Join Michael Navin in this insightful brief episode of the "Ask The Expert" series on The Only Healthcare Podcast.

In this episode, Michael dives into President Trump's recent executive order to enforce drug price transparency across the United States. Issued on February 25, 2025, this mandate directs federal agencies to ensure that hospitals and insurers disclose actual healthcare costs, building on a 2019 initiative.

Episode Highlights:

Understanding the Executive Order: A detailed explanation of the new directive and its expectations from healthcare providers and insurers.
Impact on PBMs and Carriers: Explore how Prescription Benefit Managers and health insurers must adjust to new regulations that demand greater transparency and how this could reshape their operations and pricing strategies.
Potential Changes for Consumers: Discuss how this shift towards transparency could empower patients, enabling more informed decisions and potentially lower costs.
Industry Reactions: Insight into how different stakeholders within the healthcare system might respond to these changes, including potential challenges and benefits.
Future of Healthcare Costs: Considerations on how this policy could influence the broader healthcare pricing and access landscape in America.

Tune in to understand how this pivotal policy could affect you, whether you're a healthcare professional, industry stakeholder, or a concerned citizen. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of policy and patient care.

Policy and Power: Dismantling Middleman Dominance in Healthcare

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0500

Join hosts Michael Navin and Randy Vogenberg, PhD as they discuss more on the pivotal healthcare policy changes under the Trump administration. This episode delves into the fresh legislative adjustments affecting PBMs, the impacts of new Medicare reports, and advancements in gene therapy and R&D. It also discusses the broader implications of these policies on healthcare costs, accessibility, and the expansion of IVF coverage. Tune in for a critical analysis of what these changes mean for public and industry stakeholders and how they align with the "Make America Healthy Again" agenda.

Episode Highlights:

Introduction to Current Healthcare Policies: Explore the critical changes brought about by the new administration, including a focused look at the fresh legislative and administrative shifts in healthcare policy.
Detailed Look at Commercial Insurance and Government Programs: Delve into the specifics of recent legislative efforts around Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and the implications of the latest reports from CMS and OIG on Medicare and healthcare costs.
The Role of R&D and New Therapies: Discuss the ongoing advancements in gene therapy and other R&D improvements, examining how they are poised to transform healthcare delivery.
Impacts of Policy on Healthcare Costs and Accessibility: Analyze how these policies are intended to shift costs between government and private programs, emphasizing out-of-pocket patient expenses.
IVF Coverage Expansion Discussion: Highlight the recent policy developments related to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), including expanding coverage and its potential implications on healthcare insurance and patient access.
Future Directions and Continued Debates: Consider the expected developments in healthcare policy, including the potential impacts of the Make America Healthy Again agenda and the expanded use of novel therapies under the new FDA leadership.

Rethinking Risk: Innovating Benefit Design for Whole-Person Care

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Welcome to another insightful episode of "The Only Healthcare Podcast," where we unpack the demand for change in risk management for employers within commercial insurance and benefit design. In this episode, our host, Dr. Randy Vogenberg, is joined by Rajiv Sood, the founder of Sood Health Advisors. With over 30 years of experience spanning healthcare, clinical settings, insurance, and InsureTech, Rajiv brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective on managing financial risks in healthcare.

In this episode, you will learn:

Innovative Risk Management: Explore how innovative financial strategies can mitigate risks for employers, touching on the significance of tier five initiatives.
Demand for Benefit Design Innovation: Explore the transformative impact of innovative benefit designs on equitable access and whole-person care, addressing the evolving needs of patients with rare diseases.
Essentials of Reinsurance: Delve into the function and importance of reinsurance in the healthcare sector, highlighting its role in mitigating financial risks associated with benefit designs for rare diseases.
Challenges of Asynchronous Timing: Unpack the issues stemming from asynchronous timing in stakeholder collaborations and discuss strategic approaches to enhance synchronization and efficiency among all parties involved in healthcare management.
Future of Healthcare Financing: Discussion on the future landscape of commercial insurance and how upcoming changes will affect stakeholders across the board.

Join us as we unpack these complex topics, providing valuable insights for employers, HR professionals, C-suite executives, and insurance experts. Connect with Rajiv on LinkedIn for assistance in reinsurance and with Randy on LinkedIn for aid in benefit design and stakeholder collaboration.

Navigating the Future of Healthcare Policy

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0500

Welcome back to "The Only Healthcare Podcast." This episode delves deep into the evolving landscape of healthcare policy in 2025. Hosted by Randy Vogenberg, PhD we are joined by special guest Jayson Slotnik, a seasoned health policy expert from Health Policy Strategies, LLC.

Jayson Slotnik is a prominent figure in health policy consultation, with over 15 years of experience at Health Policy Strategies, LLC. He works with government agencies, manufacturers, patient advocacy groups, and healthcare providers to navigate and influence significant policy changes. His expertise includes advocating for better patient access and developing commercial strategies. Jayson's approach combines his legal background with a deep understanding of healthcare operations and policy impacts.

Key Insights:

Understanding New Policies: Jayson provides an in-depth look at how upcoming policy changes, particularly concerning PBMs and Medicare, could reshape the industry.
Forecasting Commercial Insurance Trends: Discussion on how commercial insurance may adapt to regulatory changes and what businesses might expect in terms of cost management and policy impacts.
Future Outlooks: Speculation on major healthcare topics like chronic disease management, Medicare negotiations, and the implications of AI on healthcare services.

Transforming Healthcare: Innovations in Clinical Pathways with Dr. Randy Vogenberg

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 14:00:00 -0500

Join us on the "Only Healthcare Podcast" as we dive into the transformative discussions from the recent Clinical Pathways Congress in Boston with Dr. Randy Vogenberg. Discover the latest trends in clinical practice, payment models, and policy shaping healthcare's future.

What You’ll Learn:

Insights on Clinical Practice Changes: Understand the new dynamics in clinical pathways affecting patient care and how healthcare providers are adapting to these changes.
Impact of Benefit Design on Care: Explore how benefit design influences patient access to treatments, particularly in oncology, and what it means for future coverage.
Navigating Payment Innovations: Learn from Dr. Vogenberg about the challenges and solutions in securing payment for quality care amidst healthcare transformations.
Future of Oncology Care: Get an inside look at how oncology care evolves through practice management and standardization innovations.
Virtual Care and Home-Based Models: Delve into the shift towards home-based cancer care and its implications for patient outcomes and healthcare delivery.

What Can Be Done to Bridge the Gap Between Employer-Manufacturer Collaboration

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 12:00:00 -0500

In this episode of The Only Healthcare Podcast, co-hosts Michael Navin and Dr. Randy Vogenberg, PhD, welcome esteemed guest Tonya Vyhlidal, a senior consultant with over 25 years of experience in building comprehensive health and wellness programs. Together, they dive deep into the components of employer and biopharmaceutical manufacturer collaboration and the benefits it holds for all stakeholders involved.

Key Highlights:

The Current Landscape: Understanding why collaboration between employers and manufacturers remains fragmented and what obstacles exist that hinder these essential partnerships.
The Role of Stakeholders: How employers, benefit consultants (EBCs), and manufacturers fit into the complex healthcare ecosystem and the significant influence each has on outcomes.
Access and Affordability: Why direct collaboration can lead to enhanced access to medications, more informed decisions, and cost savings that benefit both employers and employees.
Whole Person Care: The shift towards patient-centered care and the importance of aligning clinical pathways and treatment plans for holistic health outcomes.
Forecasted Outlook: The potential integration of medical and pharmacy benefits and how technology can act as a catalyst for innovation and improved access.

Tonya shares her firsthand experiences on how employer-initiated collaborations can yield financial, cultural, and operational benefits. This episode is a must-listen for employers, benefit consultants, and manufacturers looking to navigate and innovate within a complex system that demands strategic partnerships.

Unlocking Access and Collaboration: The Benefits of Employer-Pharma Relationships

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 11:00:00 -0500

In this enlightening episode of The Only Healthcare Podcast, hosts Michael Navin and Dr. Randy Vogenberg, PhD, dive deep into the crucial need for employer-manufacturer collaboration in the commercial healthcare market exploring:

Data Transparency: Why both employers and manufacturers must share data to create more informed, efficient, and impactful benefit plans.
Equitable Access: The challenges and opportunities in balancing network limitations, production costs, and patient affordability.
Whole Person Care: Understanding how patient-centered care improves clinical outcomes, reduces costs, and mitigates risks.

Dr. Vogenberg and Michael discuss how recent trends, including increased spending on patient access programs and the ongoing struggle for data transparency, have highlighted the importance of innovative partnerships. They emphasize the value of collaborative efforts to design better healthcare plans that serve both patients and stakeholders effectively. Tune in for insightful discussions and strategies to navigate the evolving healthcare landscape.

How Employer-Pharmaceutical Collaboration Can Transform Healthcare Plans

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0400

In Episode 7 of the Only Healthcare Podcast, co-hosts Michael Navin and Dr. Randy Vogenberg, PhD, are joined by Zak Kornblum, a pharmacy consultant with expertise in navigating the complexities of employer-PBM relationships. Together, they discuss the critical need for employer-pharmaceutical collaboration to drive transparency, improve data access, and enhance patient outcomes.

Key discussion points include:

The challenges employers face when relying solely on PBMs for data and transparency.
How direct collaboration with pharmaceutical manufacturers can offer better insight into drug pricing and improve access to advanced therapies.
The importance of educating employers on understanding their health plans and making informed decisions.
Real-world examples of how improved communication and transparency can result in better patient care, especially in chronic conditions like cancer, MS, and diabetes.

Tune in to learn why employers should take a more active role in healthcare decisions and how strategic partnerships can transform the future of healthcare.

🎧 Listen now: onlyhealthcarepodcast.com

Navigating State-Level Legislation & The Future of Patient-Centered Care

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Only Healthcare Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Randy Vogenberg, PhD, to discuss the rising influence of state-level healthcare legislation and how employers must adapt to ensure their healthcare plans align with changing regulations. With over 270 pieces of healthcare legislation in 45 states, employers must understand how these changes may impact fully-funded and self-funded plans under ERISA.

Dr. Vogenberg also dives into the evolving landscape of patient-centered care, focusing on oncology as a key example. From managing multiple chronic conditions during cancer treatment to the growth of concierge services and integrated care models, oncology is setting the stage for how future specialties like cardiology and rheumatology will evolve.

Key Topics:

Why state-level healthcare legislation matters more than ever in 2024
The importance of understanding your healthcare plan coverage and data
How patient-centered oncology care is leading to better outcomes and lower costs
Emerging trends in biologics, cell therapy, and gene therapy for employers to watch

Ask The Expert with Michael Navin: Unpacking the Latest Prescription Lawsuits

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Hosted by industry expert, Michael Navin.

Listen in to the latest series of Ask The Expert hosted by Michael Navin. In this brief episode, Michael delves into the growing concern surrounding prescription lawsuits and the risks employers face in managing employee health benefits.

As lawsuits in the healthcare space come to light, it’s essential for employers to understand their fiduciary responsibility and the implications of working with Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and third-party administrators.

Michael walks listeners through the complexities of self-funding, PBM accountability, and how businesses can make more informed decisions to safeguard their healthcare plans.

Key Topics Covered:

Employer Fiduciary Responsibility & ERISA Laws
The Role of Third-Party Administrators & PBMs
Transparency in Prescription Drug Pricing
Preventative Measures for Employers
The Path Forward for Employers & the Healthcare Industry

GLP-1 Drugs: Rapid Growth and Market Evolution

Sun, 15 Sep 2024 14:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Only Healthcare podcast, Dr. Randy Vogenberg and Michael Navin dive deep into the GLP-1 drug category, exploring the rapid growth and market evolution surrounding these diabetes and obesity management medications. This conversation sheds light on the opportunities and challenges faced by employers, manufacturers, and patients in managing these high-demand and high-cost treatments.

Key Topics Covered:

The Explosive Growth of GLP-1 Drugs:
These drugs have become game-changers for patients with metabolic conditions, but they also bring unique challenges in managing costs and access for employers and health plans.
Employer Perspectives on Managing Costs:
As employers seek cost-effective solutions, they are faced with decisions on drug coverage, particularly for patients with obesity but without a diabetes diagnosis.
The Role of PBMs and Manufacturers:
The episode highlights the often-contentious relationship between PBMs and drug manufacturers.
Downstream Benefits of GLP-1 Drugs:
Beyond managing diabetes, GLP-1 drugs are also showing promise in improving cardiovascular health and overall metabolic profiles. Explore the broader benefits of these drugs and what future indications might look like, with a particular focus on the evolving clinical evidence.
The Patient's Journey:
The discussion touches on the importance of behavioral change, diet, and exercise in achieving optimal outcomes with GLP-1 medications.
What’s Next for GLP-1 and Metabolic Treatments:
The episode wraps up with a forward-looking perspective, as Randy and Michael consider the future of GLP-1 drugs, including the potential for direct-to-patient programs from manufacturers, compounded pharmacy solutions, and the evolving market as more players enter the space.

Listen Now:
Tune in to learn how employers, manufacturers, and healthcare stakeholders can navigate the complexities of the GLP-1 market while balancing cost, access, and patient outcomes.

For feedback or to suggest topics for future episodes, reach out to us at Only Healthcare Podcast.

Ask the Expert with Dr. Randy Vogenberg: How Government Policies Influence Commercial Insurance Implications

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Stay informed on critical moves in healthcare with our new series, "Ask the Expert."

In this brief episode of "Ask the Expert," Dr. Randy Vogenberg delves into the complex relationship between government healthcare policies and their impact on commercial insurance stakeholders. This brief but insightful episode focuses on a significant lawsuit by Vertex Pharmaceuticals against the Office of Inspector General (OIG). The case centers on whether Vertex can provide a patient assistance program for its gene therapy patients, explicitly addressing the associated fertility assistance needs.

Dr. Vogenberg discusses the broader implications of this legal battle, exploring how the decision could influence both commercial plan sponsors and manufacturers. He explains how the denial of patient assistance by government programs might lead to increased costs, decreased utilization of innovative therapies, and, ultimately, fewer available treatment options in the marketplace.

Tune in to this episode to gain expert insights into how government healthcare policies could shape the future of commercial insurance and the availability of advanced therapeutic products.

Resources:

Be sure to subscribe and stay updated on future episodes where we continue to explore the critical intersections of healthcare policy, innovation, and industry impact.

How Employer Decisions Impact Coverage & Reimbursement

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 14:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Only Healthcare, we dive into the complexities of the commercial insurance landscape, particularly focusing on how employer decisions shape health benefits coverage and reimbursement processes. The conversation does not touch on entitlement programs but rather hones in on the intricacies of commercial health insurance and its impact on both employers and employees.

Key Topics Discussed:
1. Coverage:

Definition and Legal Framework: We explore the legal right to receive reimbursement or payment for healthcare costs under a contract with an insurance company, a group health plan, or government programs like Medicare.
Difference Between Coverage and Policy: Learn about the nuances between insurance coverage and policy, including how a typical insurance policy is a collection of coverages with distinct limits.

2. Reimbursement:

Understanding Healthcare Reimbursement: The episode clarifies how payments are made to healthcare providers, hospitals, or pharmacies after services are rendered. We discuss how the amount billed is based on pre-agreed terms with health insurance companies, PBMs, or Medicare.
Types of Insurance and Reimbursement: Discover the concept of Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), a non-traditional type of insurance allowing employers to provide non-taxed reimbursements for eligible medical expenses.

Exploring Healthcare Stakeholder Interactions

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 16:00:00 -0400

Welcome to the inaugural episode of "Only Healthcare," where hosts Michael Navin and Dr. Randy Vogenberg discuss the intricacies of therapies and their impact on the US healthcare system. In this episode, Michael and Randy explore the complexities of drug distribution and the pivotal role that transparency plays in today's healthcare landscape. They discuss the journey of pharmaceuticals from manufacturers to patients, employer lawsuits, ERISA, and more.

Key Discussion Points:

The Distribution Process: How drugs are developed, distributed, and paid for in the US.
Transparency in Healthcare: The demand for transparency in pricing and policies for patients, employers, providers and manufacturers.
Employer Responsibilities: How recent risk-related lawsuits effect employer-sponsored healthcare plans.
Market Dynamics: Insights into how the pharmaceutical market is evolving and what changes are on the horizon.

About the Hosts:
Michael Navin brings 27+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, specializing in commercialization. As the owner of a successful agency, he has launched numerous pharmaceutical products, making advanced treatments accessible to the public.

Dr. Randy Vogenberg started his career as a pharmacist and has since worked across all areas of healthcare delivery, including policy and employer-sponsored plans. With a doctorate in healthcare administration, Randy spent the last 25 years navigating the self-insured marketplace, providing value for the ongoing changes in healthcare.

This podcast and its content, including but not limited to audio recordings, images, and text, are the property of the Only Healthcare Podcast and are protected by international copyright laws. We appreciate all distribution and content sharing. Contact us at onlyhealthcarepodcast@gmail.com to access media kits, provide feedback, inquire about guest participation or to learn more. Thank you for listening!