Modern Healthcare’s Healthcare Insider Podcast

The payment process in healthcare is often slow, fragmented and paper-based, creating frustration for providers and patients, inefficiencies for payers and rising costs across the system. In this episode of Healthcare Insider, Yusuf Qasim, president of payments optimization at Zelis, shares how digital innovation can meaningfully change the healthcare payment ecosystem. From reducing friction to improving cash flow, Qasim outlines what it takes to transform outdated systems into streamlined, digital-first operations.

Managing specialty drug inventory is exceedingly complex as pharmacy leaders contend with rising costs, unpredictable demand and labor shortages. In this episode of Healthcare Insider, Cardinal Health’s James Roof, director of strategic distribution services, and Diana Castillo, national consignment executive, share how modern consignment models, combined with innovative RFID technology, can dramatically reduce waste, improve medication accessibility and relieve workflow burdens on pharmacy staff. The episode also breaks down best practices for evaluating inventory carrying costs, reducing human error and scaling innovative solutions in facilities with space constraints. Listen now to discover how your organization can adopt a flexible, tech-enabled consignment strategy.

No one is better equipped to support patients than providers. But do health systems have the power required to improve the healthcare system?  In this episode of Healthcare Insider, Premier Inc. President and CEO Mike Alkire explains why a provider-led model—not one led by payers or legacy tech vendors—is the only viable path forward. He outlines how hospitals can take back control and lead transformation by focusing on high-value partnerships, smarter use of data and AI-driven solutions. Listen to learn how health systems can: * Shift power from payers to providers through strategic partnerships * Leverage data and AI to reduce costs and improve outcomes * Incentivize innovation to build a more sustainable system

Hospitals today face rising drug costs, workforce shortages, supply chain disruptions and tightening reimbursement, making financial sustainability increasingly difficult to achieve. In this episode of Healthcare Insider, Cardinal Health’s Mike Brown, R.Ph, vice president of managed services, and Michelle Dalton, PharmD, regional director of account management and operations, discuss how a strategic approach to pharmacy management can help hospitals of all sizes reduce costs, optimize operations and unlock new revenue streams. They also share how one Southeastern health system kept $3 million in clinical savings in one year by transforming pharmacy operations. Listen to learn how your organization can tap into the pharmacy’s full potential to drive financial resilience and growth across your system.

Health plans are under mounting pressure to comply with federal price transparency regulations. But compliance isn’t easy due to vast and complex data sets. In this episode of Healthcare Insider, Heather Cox, president of Insights and Empowerment at Zelis, breaks down the top challenges health plans are facing and offers insightful strategies for achieving compliance. Cox also explores how transparency requirements can be more than a regulatory requirement, but a catalyst to improve member engagement and experience.