Feb 28, 2019
Steve Watson, CPA,
SHRM-SCP
As a CFO/CHRO, Steve was frustrated each year
with rising health care costs for his employer and employees. In
2012, he decided to make a change. First, he decided to fix the
misaligned incentive that he had with his broker. Then he and his
broker moved on to fixing the way his insurance was purchased from
the insurance carriers. Now Steve is sharing this process with
other employers through his consulting company Summit Path Group,
whose mission is to lower employee benefit costs by sharing best
practices from around the country with local employers and
advisers.
01:57 The biggest ways that spiraling costs negatively affect
companies.
02:49 How long does it take prices to double?
04:56 “On the ground level with mid-sized employers, we don’t know
how to move the lever.”
05:50 Higher premiums = more commissions?
07:50 Steve’s advice for employers.
10:02 Why don’t employers dig into health care more?
11:28 “There are ways to set up a self-funded plan that have less
risks than a fully insured plan.”
12:44 “[As] employers, we need to start [doing things] from our
perspective, too.”
13:10 Steve’s advice to a CFO to demand claims.
15:31 When CFOs should begin their analysis of their insurance
plans.
16:04 “I would … look at it as a 3- to 5-year plan and how [to]
step along.”
20:04 The first question Steve asks CFOs.
24:37 Setting up a plan that’s best for the company.
27:20 Accessing unbiased information by being aware of misaligned
incentives.
31:33 “At the heart of health care is the interaction between the
patient and the doctor.”
33:23 For more information on direct primary care, listen to
EP184
with Alex Lickerman, EP198 with Eric
Parmenter, and EP215 with
Caroline Znaniec.