In this episode, Emma and David dive into the gut punch of losing a long-time client right before Thanksgiving. After saving them a jaw-dropping $85 million, the client still jumped ship, swayed by a new exec chasing the clout of a big-name broker. The conversation cuts into the disconnect between what employers think their employees want and what they actually need in healthcare.

Emma and David don’t hold back their frustration with the industry’s obsession with flashy brands and so-called "free" services—distractions that mask skyrocketing costs and subpar care. Now stepping into a consulting role with the client, they hammer home the critical need for transparency and bold leadership from employer groups.
The episode wraps with a direct challenge to employers: it’s time to rethink your health insurance strategy and the brokers you're trusting with it.

TIMESTAMPS:

[01:15] Losing a major client and reevaluating their decision-making process.

[04:08] Concerns about the client transitioning to a traditional broker.

[12:00] The compensation structure for traditional brokers.

[20:04] The potential resistance from large brokerage firms toward greater transparency.

[27:20] Growing public dissatisfaction with large health insurance companies and the increasing shift away from traditional insurance models.

QUOTES:

• "What’s of the greater value, the $85 million or the couple hundred thousand dollars worth of free stuff you get every year?" -David Contorno
• "We have convinced employers that our value is not on what we can do to control healthcare costs; our value is on all the things that we put around that." -David Contorno
• "The perception of having a brand name really is more important than the value of not, and truly, if you are paying attention to the American public's reaction... they do not want big health insurance."- Emma Fox

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

David Contorno

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcontorno/

Emma Fox

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmamariefox/

WEBSITE

E-Powered Benefits: https://www.epoweredbenefits.com/

Emma Fox: https://emmamariefox.com/

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

In this episode, Emma and David delve into the shocking assassination of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, exploring its implications on the American healthcare system. They discuss the public's lack of sympathy for Thompson, highlighting how his leadership contributed to a significant increase in denial rates for healthcare services. The conversation reveals a growing awareness among consumers about the systemic issues within health insurance, as many express their anger and frustration over personal experiences with the system.

Emma & David reflect on the morality of the situation, acknowledging the tragedy of Thompson's death while also recognizing that it has sparked a much-needed dialogue about accountability in healthcare. They critique the responses from UnitedHealthcare's leadership, particularly Andrew Witte, who downplays the public outcry and dismisses the concerns of millions affected by the insurance system. The episode emphasizes the need for change and encourages listeners to understand the complexities of healthcare access and the profit-driven motives of insurance companies. Ultimately, it serves as a call to action for both consumers and industry leaders to seek a more equitable healthcare system.

TIMESTAMPS:

[00:40] The assassination of United Healthcare CEO, Brian Thompson and the reaction of the public.

[04:34] Denial rates under Thompson’s leadership

[09:25] Moral implications of Thompson’s death

[14:20] Quotes from Andrew Witte analyzed

[18:12] United Healthcare’s revenue and impact

[25:27] Future of healthcare accountability

QUOTES:

• "It took a millionaire executive of a large publicly traded company to die in a sensational fashion for it to really matter. Millions of people have died, but their deaths didn't garner the same attention." -David Contorno
• "When millions of Americans are taking to social media to celebrate the broad daylight assassination of a human being, there is a freaking problem." -Emma Fox
• "Andrew Witte is weaving a thread of truth in his lies. Yes, doctors over-prescribe and over-treat, but that does not justify the role that United Healthcare plays in denying care." -David Contorno

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

David Contorno

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcontorno/

Emma Fox

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmamariefox/

WEBSITE

E-Powered Benefits: https://www.epoweredbenefits.com/

Emma Fox: https://emmamariefox.com/

THANKS!

In this thrilling episode, we dive deep into the drama of healthcare and politics, exploring how recent elections could transform the future of healthcare legislation. Our hosts dissect the heated debate around RFK’s controversial healthcare nomination, questioning the leadership behind life-altering decisions for millions. We then shift to the inspiring rise of grassroots movements fighting for a people-first healthcare system, showcasing how citizens are driving real change. Ending with a powerful call to action, this episode is packed with tension, insights, and stories that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:54] Political elections and their impact on healthcare, with a comparison to historical events.

[02:25] The likelihood of bipartisan healthcare legislation lasting and the challenges of political compromise.

[03:52] The frustration of political barter, where healthcare decisions are treated as leverage rather than focusing on the needs of the American people.

[06:20] RFK’s healthcare nomination and the emphasis on needing qualified individuals with clinical experience in decision-making.

[16:15] How grassroots movements are shaping healthcare conversations and their influence on policy reform.

[19:43] Insightful take on the future of healthcare legislation and the power dynamics that continue to affect real change.

QUOTES

• "It infuriates me that we have people making pretty substantial decisions about how to deliver and finance healthcare in this country who can't even tell me the difference between health insurance and health care. We’re staunch proponents of putting clinicians in charge, or at least in an advisory capacity, to help us understand how this should work."- Emma Fox
• "We've gotten into this bipartisanship where you can't even see one bit of good in what the other side proposed. It's become an all-or-nothing thing, and that’s a shame. If I get 80% of what I'm asking for, I'll take it and deal with the other 20% later. But no one settles for less than 100% anymore."- David Contorno
• "The more I figure out how healthcare legislation works, the more annoyed and angered I become. It feels like as much as we’d like for this to be about Americans, it's really not. It's about using the American people as leverage in political bartering."- Emma Fox

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

David Contorno

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcontorno/

Emma Fox

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmamariefox/

WEBSITE

E-Powered Benefits: https://www.epoweredbenefits.com/

Emma Fox: https://emmamariefox.com/

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com