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The Business of Benefits Podcast

The Business of Benefits Podcast

By: Hi Hello Labs Network
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 For decades, employers have been fed a lie: “There’s nothing you can do to control healthcare costs.” This couldn’t be further from the truth. The system is doing exactly what it was designed to do—profit off of HR, CFOs, and CEOs who believe that lie year after year.With 180 million Americans relying on employer-sponsored healthcare, it’s time to challenge the status quo. The Business of Benefits is your No BS, No Sales guide to the real solutions. No gimmicks—just the truth about how to take control, transform your benefits, and care for your most valuable asset: your people.Each episode dives deep into the data, exposing industry misalignments and inefficiencies that inflate costs while offering actionable strategies for designing financially sustainable, high-value benefits.Through eye-opening interviews with industry insiders, expert analysis, and real-world success stories, hosts Donovan and Chelsea pull back the curtain on the hidden flaws in the healthcare system. The result? An empowering roadmap for employers ready to break free from outdated models and unlock smarter, more sustainable benefits.If you’re tired of the same old sales pitch and ready to rethink benefits, reduce costs, and improve care—this podcast is for you. The truth is out there—are you ready to hear it?Copyright Hi Hello Labs Network Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • 58. Stop Playing the Renewal Game: A Real Roadmap for Employer Healthcare Plans

    58. Stop Playing the Renewal Game: A Real Roadmap for Employer Healthcare Plans
    Aug 28 2025
    Welcome back to The Business of Benefits Podcast – your no-BS, no-sales guide to real solutions in employee benefits.

    In this solo episode, host Chelsea breaks down what it really means to have a multi-year healthcare strategy for your company. Instead of reacting to renewals at the last minute and hearing the same excuses year after year, Chelsea shows you how to treat your benefits program like a true business plan—with long-term goals, measurable KPIs, and strategies that actually deliver results.

    You’ll hear a real client case study that has achieved five straight years of decreases by following a step-by-step benefits roadmap. Chelsea also shares:

    ✅ What isn’t a multi-year healthcare strategy (the reactive renewal game)
    ✅ How to build a business plan for your benefits, just like any other department
    ✅ Why data access and employee trust are the foundation for long-term success
    ✅ The difference between a slow, steady approach and a “shock-and-awe” strategy
    ✅ Real savings examples—millions of dollars saved while improving employee experience

    If you’re an employer tired of rising costs, empty promises, and lack of control, this episode will show you a better way to run your healthcare plan.

    Whether you're an HR professional, CFO, CEO, or just tired of rising healthcare costs, this is your call to rethink benefits strategy and finally take control.

    Connect with Chelsea and Donovan:

    Website: www.businessofbenefitspodcast.com
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethoseffectpodcast/
    Chelsea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-ryckis-8508a192/
    Donovan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donovanryckis/
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    28 mins
  • 57. Exposing the Flaws in Employer Healthcare: What Brokers Won’t Tell You with Jay Gepfert

    57. Exposing the Flaws in Employer Healthcare: What Brokers Won’t Tell You with Jay Gepfert
    Aug 7 2025
    In this powerful episode, Donovan Ryckis sits down with Jay Gepfert, President of The Culpepper Group, to unpack what employers don't know—and what it’s costing them. With decades of experience on both the retirement and healthcare side of the fiduciary table, Jay brings the receipts on how hidden broker compensation, lack of transparency, and outdated fee structures are draining company resources and exposing employers to serious risk.

    You’ll hear:
    • Why healthcare benefits need the same due diligence as retirement plans
    • How compensation models drive broker behavior—and what to demand instead
    • A real case study showing 46% savings in broker fees
    • Why the current healthcare system is broken—and how litigation and legislation are forcing change
    • What you need to start doing now to protect your plan, your budget, and your people
    If you're an HR leader, CFO, or CEO who’s ready to ask the tough questions and rethink your benefits strategy—this episode is your playbook.

    Subscribe now and hit the bell so you never miss an episode. Because if the truth is out there... are you ready to hear it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments & don’t forget to subscribe for more no-BS insights.

    Whether you're an HR professional, CFO, CEO, or just tired of rising healthcare costs, this is your call to rethink benefits strategy and finally take control.

    Learn more about Jay's work: https://www.culpepperrfp.com/

    Connect with Jay Gepfert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-gepfert-rfps-for-retirement-health-and-welfare-plans-a418027/

    Connect with Chelsea and Donovan: Website: www.businessofbenefitspodcast.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethoseffectpodcast/

    Chelsea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-ryckis-8508a192/
    Donovan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donovanryckis/
    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • 56. The Truth About Reference-Based Pricing: What Employees Really Experience with Danielle Young

    56. The Truth About Reference-Based Pricing: What Employees Really Experience with Danielle Young
    Jul 24 2025
    Welcome back to The Business of Benefits Podcast! In Part 2 of our deep dive with Danielle Young of ClaimDoc, we shift focus from theory to reality — what actually happens when employees engage with a reference-based pricing (RBP) plan?

    We break down:
    • The truth about provider access
    • How ClaimDoc achieves a 96%+ acceptance rate
    • Fear-based tactics vs real-world outcomes
    • How to handle balance bills — and prevent them
    • Why communication before open enrollment is key
    • The co-fiduciary model that protects employees and employers
    • What brokers should be doing (and what to look out for)
    • Building a proactive communication strategy that WORKS
    This episode is a must-listen for HR leaders, CFOs, and employers ready to take control of their healthcare strategy and rethink everything they thought they knew about RBP.

    If you're tired of being sold to and want to make smart, transparent decisions for your people — you're in the right place.

    Learn more about ClaimDoc: https://claim-doc.com
    Connect with Danielle Young on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-young-rbp/

    Subscribe now and hit the bell so you never miss an episode. Because if the truth is out there... are you ready to hear it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments & don’t forget to subscribe for more no-BS insights.

    Whether you're an HR professional, CFO, CEO, or just tired of rising healthcare costs, this is your call to rethink benefits strategy and finally take control.

    Connect with Chelsea and Donovan:
    Website: www.businessofnbenefitspodcast.com
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethoseffectpodcast/
    Chelsea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-ryckis
    Donovan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donovanryckis/
    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
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