Benefits Breakdown

The team welcomes Melanie Payton, National Practice Leader for the Brown & Brown Absence team. In this insightful podcast episode, we delve into the current state of the market, highlighting the significant impact of absence costs, which now surpass medical expenses, and the evolving regulatory climate driven by generational shifts in employee expectations. We explore the complexities of Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) legislation, with new mandates on the horizon and the decision-making process between state-run and private plans. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of enhancing the employee experience through technology and centralized resources, and the critical role of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) in providing necessary accommodations and training for supervisors. Tune in to gain a comprehensive understanding of these pivotal topics and their implications for employers and employees alike.  Connect with the hosts: Jared Bowcutt [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-bowcutt-321a856/] Vanessa Longnecker [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-longnecker-9899301/] Adam Compton [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamccompton/]

Vanessa, Jared & Adam are joined by Julie Turpin, Chief People Officer of Brown & Brown to discuss the latest trends in People Analytics and how they are shaping the future of HR. Julie highlights the importance of collecting, analyzing and applying data related to employees to improve business outcomes. This enables HR departments to gain data-driven insights for decision-making on various people processes, such as recruitment, retention, performance management and diversity initiatives.  The team delves into the concept of Thriving in '25, exploring how to foster a culture of open communication and holistic development among employees. They discuss key questions to help individuals and organizations thrive, such as evaluating daily habits, addressing tolerations and focusing on internal growth. Check out our 2025 Employee Benefits Market Trends [https://www.bbrown.com/us/insight/2025-employee-benefits-market-trends/]  Connect with the hosts: Jared Bowcutt [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-bowcutt-321a856/] Vanessa Longnecker [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-longnecker-9899301/] Adam Compton [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamccompton/]

Vanessa, Jared & Adam are joined by Katy Wong, National Pharmacy Leader for Brown & Brown, to discuss the latest trends in transformative therapies and pharmacy benefit management (PBM). Katy highlights how GLP-1s, specialty drugs and gene therapies will continue to drive up costs and how biosimilars are expected to help offset these expenses to health plans. The team dives into the challenging landscape facing the traditional PBM model in 2025. Transparency and accountability remain critical for plan sponsors, opening the door for disruptor PBMs and non-traditional PBM delivery models. The team also addresses high-cost drugs in the pipeline, transparency concerns and the current regulatory and legislative dynamics impacting plan sponsors.  Check out our 2025 Employee Benefits Market Trends [https://www.bbrown.com/us/insight/2025-employee-benefits-market-trends/]  Connect with the hosts: Jared Bowcutt [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-bowcutt-321a856/] Vanessa Longnecker [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-longnecker-9899301/] Adam Compton [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamccompton/]

Vanessa, Jared & Adam highlight the latest trends impacting employers, such as rising healthcare expenses and the importance of personalized benefits. The team delves into the primary elements driving employer costs, including increased utilization of services. They further explore the significant role of large claimants—individuals with high-cost medical claims—and the importance of stop-loss contracts in mitigating financial risks for employers. The discussion shifts to the 'real risk' to benefit plans, encompassing financial, operational and compliance risks. Effective risk management strategies are essential to mitigate these risks and ensure the sustainability of benefit programs.   Check out our 2025 Employee Benefits Market Trends [https://www.bbrown.com/us/insight/2025-employee-benefits-market-trends/]  Connect with the hosts: Jared Bowcutt [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-bowcutt-321a856/] Vanessa Longnecker [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-longnecker-9899301/] Adam Compton [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamccompton/]

Vanessa, Jared & Adam are joined by Josh Halperin from the Brown & Brown National Pharmacy Practice. Josh highlights the latest trends impacting employers, such as rising drug prices and the importance of transparency in PBM contracts. The team dives further into GLP-1 medications, their uses and employee demands, while also discussing the challenges and opportunities of incorporating biosimilars in health plans.   Connect with the hosts: Jared Bowcutt [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-bowcutt-321a856/] Vanessa Longnecker [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-longnecker-9899301/] Adam Compton [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamccompton/]