Taking Control of Healthcare Costs: Insights from Andrew Agress

Descripción

If rising healthcare costs, renewal increases, and pharmacy spend feel impossible to control, this episode shows how employers can explore smarter funding strategies, stronger partnerships, and more transparent solutions. Resources Mentioned: * 2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including healthcare cost management, alternative funding, pharmacy strategy, and workforce wellbeing. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026 [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026]] * Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits. Listen and Subscribe: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com. Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Andrew Agress, Executive Vice President of Employee Benefits at IMA Financial Group, to discuss how employers can respond to rising healthcare costs with greater control, transparency, and confidence. Andrew explains why traditional fully insured and HMO models are becoming harder for some employers to justify, how self-funded and level-funded strategies are opening new possibilities for mid-market organizations, and why pharmacy transparency remains one of the biggest opportunities for savings. They also explore the importance of trusted relationships, HR communities, aggregation and harmonization for private equity and shared-ownership structures, and the role of a broker partner who brings proactive education instead of simply reacting to renewals. Whether you are facing renewal pressure, looking for better data, or wondering if alternative funding is right for your organization, Andrew offers a practical starting point for taking back control of healthcare costs. Guest Bio: Andrew Agress is Executive Vice President of Employee Benefits at IMA Financial Group. Based in Southern California, Andrew has spent more than two decades working with HR leaders and executives to navigate healthcare complexity, carrier negotiations, benefits strategy, and cost control. He also leads and supports HR executive communities through the National Human Resources Association and invite-only roundtables, helping leaders connect, share resources, and solve challenges together. His work focuses on helping employers evaluate smarter funding models, improve access to care, build stronger benefits strategies, and support employees and families when they need care most. Host: Kelly Bowman Key Timestamps: * 00:00 - 01:20: Introduction to rising healthcare costs and smarter ways for employers to take control. * 01:20 - 02:50: Show intro, Andrew’s Southern California base, and life as a sports dad. * 02:50 - 04:55: Andrew’s career path from recruiting to employee benefits. * 04:55 - 07:40: Early lessons, culture fit, and the support that shaped his career at IMA. * 07:40 - 10:35: Andrew’s current role, client strategy, HR communities, and COVID-era support. * 10:35 - 15:00: What client support looks like beyond the traditional broker relationship. * 15:00 - 17:55: The value of HR roundtables, community, and trusted relationships. * 17:55 - 20:25: The current healthcare market, cost pressure, access challenges, and employer frustration. * 20:25 - 22:05: Pharmacy transparency, IMARx, and alternative solutions for cost control. * 22:05 - 25:55: Fully insured vs. self-funded models, loss ratios, and HMO renewal pressure. * 25:55 - 29:15: Client example: moving from fully insured to self-funded, reference-based pricing, and direct provider negotiations. * 29:15 - 32:40: Aggregation and harmonization for private equity firms and shared-ownership structures. * 32:40 - 35:25: The future of alternative funding, level funding, captives, consortiums, and data access. * 35:25 - 38:10: The first step employers should take when evaluating funding options. * 38:10 - 42:30: What keeps Andrew motivated: community, impact, innovation, and trusted client relationships. * 42:30 - 45:55: Future optimism around transparency, equitable pricing, and employer control. * 45:55 - End: Closing thanks and show outro. Resources Mentioned (Repeated for Convenience): * 2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including healthcare cost management, alternative funding, pharmacy strategy, and workforce wellbeing. [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026 [https://imacorp.com/insights/hr-insights-on-the-pulse-report-2026]] * Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits. Listen and Subscribe (Repeated for Convenience): If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.

Navigating Medicare with Confidence: Insights from Leigh Bennett and Catherine White

If Medicare feels overwhelming, confusing, or full of costly deadlines, this episode breaks down the basics and shows how the right guidance can turn a stressful healthcare transition into a confident decision. Resources Mentioned: * Medicare.gov – Visit the official Medicare website to compare plans, review costs, understand enrollment periods, and access reliable Medicare information. * State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP – Connect with state-based Medicare counselors for additional education and support. * Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits. Listen and Subscribe: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com. Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Leigh Bennett and Catherine White of IMA’s Medicare Advisory Services team to make Medicare feel less intimidating and more manageable. Leigh and Catherine explain the different parts of Medicare, including Parts A, B, C, and D, and walk through the major decisions individuals face when approaching age 65 or transitioning later at retirement. They discuss common misconceptions around Social Security, employer coverage, COBRA, HSAs, Medicare supplements, Medicare Advantage plans, and late enrollment penalties. They also explain why timing matters, how Medicare coordinates with employer-sponsored coverage, and why COBRA can create a false sense of security for Medicare-eligible individuals. Whether you are approaching Medicare yourself, helping a parent or spouse through the process, or supporting employees preparing for retirement, this episode offers practical guidance, reassurance, and a clearer path forward. Guest Bio: Leigh Bennett is part of IMA’s Medicare Advisory Services team and has spent more than a decade helping individuals navigate the transition to Medicare. Based in Dallas, Leigh began her career in communications, media, and professional development before moving into employee benefits and Medicare advisory work. She founded IMA’s Medicare Advisory Services business after seeing how much individuals needed clear, compassionate guidance during one of the most important healthcare transitions of their lives. Guest Bio: Catherine White is part of IMA’s Medicare Advisory Services team. Based in Dallas, Catherine brings a background in psychology and health policy to her work helping individuals understand Medicare, compare plan options, avoid coverage gaps, and feel more confident in their healthcare decisions. Her work focuses on making a complex and often emotional process easier to understand through education, structure, and ongoing support. Host: Kelly Bowman Key Timestamps: * 00:00 - 01:05: Introduction to Medicare, common concerns, and the value of trusted guidance. * 01:05 - 01:35: Show intro and welcome. * 01:35 - 03:14: Leigh and Catherine introduce themselves, their Dallas connection, and personal background. * 03:14 - 05:45: Leigh shares her path from communications and employee benefits to Medicare advisory services. * 05:45 - 07:19: Catherine explains her psychology and health policy background and how she joined IMA. * 07:19 - 10:27: Breaking down the parts of Medicare: Part A, Part B, Part C, Medicare supplements, and Part D. * 10:27 - 12:11: Why Medicare feels confusing and how advisors help people understand insurance basics. * 12:11 - 13:34: The long-term impact of choosing between Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplement options. * 13:34 - 16:28: When to contact a Medicare advisor and how the initial enrollment period works. * 16:28 - 18:32: What happens if someone waits too long and when Medicare enrollment may or may not be required. * 18:32 - 20:15: Transitioning to Medicare after working past 65 and why timing matters before retirement. * 20:15 - 23:19: Common misinformation, Medicare.gov, COBRA misconceptions, and avoiding gaps in coverage. * 23:19 - 26:12: How a Medicare advisor simplifies choices, compares plans, and provides year-round support. * 26:12 - 29:49: Key questions around employer coverage, high-deductible health plans, HSAs, Part A, and Part B. * 29:49 - 31:07: Misunderstandings around working past 65 and coordinating Medicare with employer coverage. * 31:07 - 34:34: COBRA, Medicare coordination, dependent coverage, secondary payer issues, and late enrollment risk. * 34:34 - 37:36: The difference guidance makes and why transparency matters in Medicare advisory work. * 37:36 - 38:54: Client feedback, referrals, annual enrollment support, and ongoing relationships. * 38:54 - 40:24: Reliable resources, including Medicare.gov and SHIP counselors. * 40:24 - 41:44: Leigh’s advice for approaching Medicare with confidence instead of fear. * 41:44 - 44:47: What Leigh and Catherine find most rewarding about helping people through the transition. * 44:47 - 45:33: Final reflections on making Medicare less scary through education and preparation. * 45:33 - End: Closing thanks and show outro. Resources Mentioned (Repeated for Convenience): * Medicare.gov – Visit the official Medicare website to compare plans, review costs, understand enrollment periods, and access reliable Medicare information. * State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP – Connect with state-based Medicare counselors for additional education and support. * Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits. Listen and Subscribe (Repeated for Convenience): If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com.

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Taking Control of Healthcare Costs: Insights from Andrew Agress

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