The Beneficial Workplace

Decoding healthcare prices: Challenges and progress

Tracy Watts and Ryan Klapatch discuss why the promise of healthcare price transparency has been more difficult to achieve than anticipated. They examine what progress has been made and consider whether increased transparency can help reduce costs.

Mental health & AI: Can AI help and harm our well-being?

Tracy Watts sits down with Pete Rutigliano to discuss AI in mental health—from chat companions and triage to risks when guardrails fail—and practical steps employers can take to harness AI while protecting employee well‑being and preventing burnout.

Behavioral healthcare utilization is rising — how should employers respond?

Emily Ferreira speaks with Mary Beth Ryan from MercerWell to unpack trends in workplace behavioral health — from virtual care and expanded EAP sessions to on site counseling — and outlines how leaders can reduce stigma, promote work life boundaries, and make care more accessible.

Direct-to-consumer prescription drug compliance considerations

Wade Symons and Jennifer Wiseman discuss key compliance challenges that employer health plan sponsors face when considering direct-to-consumer prescription drug strategies.

Health benefits strategies to manage costs, boost affordability (episode 2)

Tracy Watts and Wendy Smith discuss reference-based pricing, a cost management strategy that is frequently overlooked but may be reconsidered by employers due to rising healthcare cost pressures.