Turning Wellbeing into a Competitive Advantage: Insights from Debra Wein

Finding the Hidden Costs in Pharmacy Benefits: Insights from Matt Collier

If pharmacy benefits feel like one of the least transparent parts of your health plan strategy, this episode shows how employers can look beyond the spreadsheet, ask better questions, and uncover real opportunities for savings. Resources Mentioned: * 2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including pharmacy strategy, healthcare cost management, transparency, and smarter plan design. [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 Matt Collier of IMA Financial Group to explore why pharmacy benefits have become one of the fastest-growing and most complex areas of healthcare spend. Matt explains why many employers lack visibility into their PBM contracts, how spreadsheet comparisons can miss important contract details, and why words, exclusions, rebate structures, audit rights, and pricing guarantees all matter. They discuss IMA Pharmacy Consulting, the importance of transparency and accountability, the role of regulation, and why employers should begin evaluating their pharmacy strategy now instead of waiting for new rules to take effect. Matt also breaks down specialty drug costs, GLP-1 coverage considerations, biosimilars, prior authorization, step therapy, IMARx, and the difference between a lowest net cost strategy and a rebate-driven approach. Whether you are reviewing your PBM contract, preparing for an RFP, or simply trying to understand where pharmacy spend is going, this episode offers a practical roadmap for taking a more proactive approach. Guest Bio: Matt Collier is a pharmacy benefits specialist at IMA Financial Group. Based in Denver, Matt has been with IMA for 19 years and has worked across financial analysis, self-funding, PBM strategy, and pharmacy consulting. His work focuses on helping employers better understand pharmacy benefit contracts, evaluate PBM arrangements, identify hidden cost drivers, and build more transparent, accountable pharmacy strategies. Host: Kelly Bowman Key Timestamps: * 00:00 - 00:55: Introduction to pharmacy benefits as a fast-growing and complex area of healthcare spend. * 00:55 - 01:25: Show intro and welcome. * 01:25 - 02:41: Matt introduces himself, his Denver base, family life, and 19-year career at IMA. * 02:41 - 03:48: How Matt moved into pharmacy benefits and helped build IMA’s pharmacy consulting capabilities. * 03:48 - 05:23: What IMA Pharmacy Consulting is and why IMA built this internal expertise. * 05:23 - 06:36: Common gaps employers face with PBM contracts, hidden fees, AWP discounts, and contract language. * 06:36 - 09:27: Simplifying pharmacy complexity through analogies like the detailed horse, snorkeling, scuba diving, and the iceberg. * 09:27 - 10:37: Why employers are asking more questions about PBMs, GLP-1s, rebates, and pharmacy strategy. * 10:37 - 13:10: Why many employers still lack transparency and control in pharmacy benefits. * 13:10 - 14:39: Why spreadsheet comparisons are only the surface of PBM evaluation. * 14:39 - 16:03: How regulation is changing the PBM landscape and why consultants need to act now. * 16:03 - 17:09: What employers can do today to begin evaluating their current pharmacy arrangement. * 17:09 - 19:44: How IMA engages with clients from first review through procurement, implementation, and ongoing monitoring. * 19:44 - 22:13: Where savings opportunities often appear, including contract terms, exclusions, benchmarks, GLP-1s, step therapy, prior authorization, and biosimilars. * 22:13 - 23:43: Strategies for specialty drugs, specialty carve-outs, clinical programs, IMARx, and lowest net cost management. * 23:43 - 25:26: Why GLP-1s are in a league of their own and how employers can think through coverage decisions. * 25:26 - 27:42: Lowest net cost versus rebate-driven strategies and why higher rebates do not always mean lower total cost. * 27:42 - 29:11: When employers should consider running a PBM RFP or procurement process. * 29:11 - 30:48: Where pharmacy benefits are headed and why transparency, visibility, and cost management will remain critical. * 30:48 - 32:40: Matt’s advice for employers: demand transparency, ask better questions, and review contracts proactively. * 32:40 - 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 pharmacy strategy, healthcare cost management, transparency, and smarter plan design. [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.

Making Benefits Personal with AI: Insights from Pauline Roteta

If employees are spending only minutes choosing benefits that can shape their financial lives for an entire year, this episode explores how AI can help make benefits more personal, more useful, and easier to understand. Resources Mentioned: * 2026 On the Pulse Report: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including AI, personalization, employee engagement, and benefits communication. [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 Pauline Roteta, CEO and Co-Founder of Pasito, to discuss how AI is changing the employee benefits experience. Pauline shares how her background in finance, including her time at BlackRock and her work as a CFA and CFP, shaped her view of benefits as a critical part of an employee’s financial life. They explore why employees spend so little time choosing benefits, why one-time open enrollment communication falls short, and how personalized, year-round support can help people better understand and use the programs available to them. Pauline also explains the difference between generic AI and vertical, purpose-built AI, how AI agents can reduce manual work for employers, brokers, and carriers, and why benefits will always remain a deeply human business. Whether you are evaluating AI tools, looking to improve benefits engagement, or trying to help employees see the full value of their benefits package, Pauline offers a practical look at where the industry is headed next. Guest Bio: Pauline Roteta is the CEO and Co-Founder of Pasito, an AI-native benefits workspace designed to help employers, brokers, carriers, and employees improve the way benefits are built, delivered, and experienced. Before founding Pasito, Pauline worked at BlackRock as a Senior Investor and Portfolio Manager. She is a CFA and Certified Financial Planner, bringing a financial planning lens to health, wealth, and total rewards strategy. Her work focuses on using AI to simplify complex benefits workflows, personalize employee support, and help organizations deliver a better year-round benefits experience. Host: Kelly Bowman Key Timestamps: * 00:00 - 01:01: Introduction to the 18-minute benefits decision problem and the promise of AI. * 01:01 - 01:31: Show intro and welcome. * 01:31 - 03:22: Pauline’s background at BlackRock, becoming a CFP, and the path to Pasito. * 03:22 - 05:11: What Pasito does and how its AI-native benefits workspace works. * 05:11 - 07:20: How Pasito evolved from decision support to a broader AI benefits workbench. * 07:20 - 10:15: Surprises from the market, unified systems, and stronger employee engagement. * 10:15 - 14:21: Why employees spend so little time choosing benefits and why that matters. * 14:21 - 18:18: Moving from one-time open enrollment to personalized, year-round benefits support. * 18:18 - 20:36: Pauline’s vision for AI as foundational infrastructure in employee benefits. * 20:36 - 23:39: What people misunderstand about AI, hallucination risk, vertical AI, and agentic AI. * 23:39 - 28:22: How Pauline’s finance background shapes her view of benefits, total rewards, and employee decision-making. * 28:22 - 32:30: Long-term value, ROI, engagement, and how AI can help HR teams understand what employees need. * 32:30 - 35:12: How brokers and consultants can use AI to reduce manual work and focus on higher-value client support. * 35:12 - 38:41: Practical first steps for consultants who want to understand and apply AI. * 38:41 - 43:15: How to evaluate AI partners, start with a use case, and manage change effectively. * 43:15 - 47:35: What great could look like five years from now as AI reshapes benefits administration and employee experience. * 47:35 - 48:26: Final reflections on AI, benefits, and the need for a part two. * 48:26 - 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 AI, personalization, employee engagement, and benefits communication. [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.

Turning Wellbeing into a Competitive Advantage: Insights from Debra Wein

If your organization is investing in employee wellbeing programs but still seeing rising costs, low engagement, and no measurable results, this episode shows exactly how to move from check-the-box perks to a strategic, outcomes-driven approach that delivers real business impact. Resources Mentioned: * 2026 On the Pulse Report [https://imacorp.com/on-the-pulse?utm_source=iheart&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=2026_otp_webinar&utm_content=referral_link&utm_term=turning_wellbeing]: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including wellbeing strategies, mental health integration, and workforce performance. * Visit imacorp.com [https://imacorp.com/?utm_source=iheart&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=2026_otp_webinar&utm_content=referral_link&utm_term=turning_wellbeing] 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 [https://imacorp.com/?utm_source=iheart&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=2026_otp_webinar&utm_content=referral_link&utm_term=turning_wellbeing]. Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Debra Wein, CEO and Founder of Wellness Workdays and a registered dietitian with more than 25 years in the health and wellness space, to unpack why many wellbeing programs fail to deliver results. Debra explains the true cost of doing nothing, the pitfalls of treating wellbeing as a checklist or perk, and the four-step process every organization needs: assess the population, set a clear strategy, implement targeted interventions, and evaluate outcomes. They dive into building an integrated approach that connects physical, mental, and financial wellbeing, the power of behavioral health coaching, red flags to watch for when evaluating vendors, and a real-world client example showing how focusing on mental health led to improved lifestyle choices, better biometrics, and measurable ROI. Whether you’re struggling with low participation, burnout, or justifying investment to leadership, Debra’s insights provide a practical roadmap to turn wellbeing into a true competitive advantage. Guest Bio: Debra Wein is the CEO and Founder of Wellness Workdays, a registered dietitian, and a nationally recognized expert in employee wellbeing with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations design strategic, outcomes-based programs. A long-time vegetarian and advocate for healthy living, she has guided employers across industries to move beyond fragmented perks to integrated strategies that improve workforce health, productivity, and bottom-line results. She is also the author of the upcoming book The Wellness Multiplier. Host: Kelly Bowman Key Timestamps: * 00:00 - 01:20: Introduction to wellbeing challenges and the cost of doing nothing. * 01:20 - 02:05: Show intro and welcome. * 02:05 - 03:15: Debra introduces herself, her role, and a fun fact. * 03:15 - 04:10: Personal chit-chat on background and healthy living. * 04:10 - 06:00: Debra’s evolution from nutrition to full-spectrum wellbeing. * 06:00 - 07:00: Why wellbeing has shifted from “nice to have” to “need to have.” * 07:00 - 08:30: The cost of treating wellbeing as a checklist or perk. * 08:30 - 10:50: What organizations miss and where costs show up. * 10:50 - 13:15: Wellbeing as a competitive advantage and key metrics to track. * 13:15 - 15:55: Leading vs. lagging indicators and the importance of outcomes. * 15:55 - 19:25: Building an integrated wellbeing strategy (physical, mental, financial). * 19:25 - 21:25: Common pitfalls and the four-step process most employers skip. * 21:25 - 22:30: Red flags when evaluating wellness programs or vendors. * 22:30 - 24:00: Real-world client example: mental health focus driving lifestyle and biometric improvements. * 24:00 - 26:00: ROI and value-on-investment calculations. * 26:00 - 28:30: How to get leadership buy-in and resonate with different roles. * 28:30 - 29:45: Trends HR leaders are prioritizing in 2026. * 29:45 - 31:55: What separates successful programs and the shift toward outcomes. * 31:55 - 33:30: Debra’s upcoming book The Wellness Multiplier. * 33:30 - 34:40: One key shift every employer should make. * 34:40 - 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 wellbeing strategies, mental health integration, and workforce performance. [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.

Building Innovation Through Collaboration: Insights from Mason Powers

If great ideas in your organization feel scattered, stuck in silos, or never fully realized, this episode reveals how to create the right environment to connect them and drive meaningful impact in employee benefits. Resources Mentioned: * 2026 On the Pulse Report [https://imacorp.com/on-the-pulse?utm_source=iheart&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=2026_otp_webinar&utm_content=referral_link&utm_term=innovation_through_collaboration]: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including innovation strategies, AI, and human-centered approaches. * Visit imacorp.com [https://imacorp.com?utm_source=iheart&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=2026_otp_webinar&utm_content=referral_link&utm_term=innovation_through_collaboration] 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 [https://imacorp.com?utm_source=iheart&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=2026_otp_webinar&utm_content=referral_link&utm_term=innovation_through_collaboration]. Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Mason Powers, National Employee Benefits Innovation Leader at IMA Financial Group, to explore how organizations move from isolated ideas to real impact. Mason shares the story behind EBX Labs—a cross-functional initiative designed to surface, challenge, and connect ideas across silos. They discuss why innovation is less about chasing big breakthroughs and more about building the right environment, mindset shifts, opportunity framing, and human connection. From the first cohort’s selection process and storytelling exercises to practical ways employees can get involved, this conversation offers actionable insights for HR leaders seeking to foster collaboration, improve teammate and client experiences, and adapt to rising complexity with confidence. Guest Bio: Mason Powers is the National Employee Benefits Innovation Leader at IMA Financial Group. Based in Minnesota, he leads the development of EBX Labs to connect strategy, ideas, and execution across the organization. With a background that sparked the creation of this dedicated innovation role, Mason focuses on building collaborative spaces that empower teams, challenge the status quo, and deliver better experiences for both employees and clients. Outside of work, he enjoys lake life, bird hunting, fishing, and travel. Host: Kelly Bowman Key Timestamps: * 00:00 - 01:20: Introduction to innovation challenges and the role of environment. * 01:20 - 02:05: Show intro and welcome. * 02:05 - 03:15: Mason introduces himself, his role at IMA, and a fun fact. * 03:15 - 04:10: Personal chit-chat on location, sports, and outdoor life. * 04:10 - 06:00: Defining Mason’s role and how innovation fits into employee benefits. * 06:00 - 07:00: How the innovation role was created at IMA. * 07:00 - 08:30: Changes observed since onboarding and the need for broader involvement. * 08:30 - 10:50: Birth of EBX Labs and why it was needed. * 10:50 - 13:15: Selection process, criteria, and forming the first cohort. * 13:15 - 15:55: Early days of EBX Labs, pre-work, and first in-person session. * 15:55 - 19:25: Dream Coach session, opportunity statements, and mindset shifts. * 19:25 - 21:25: Storytelling exercises and lessons from movies like The Martian and Hidden Figures. * 21:25 - 22:30: Permission to fail and sharing unfinished ideas. * 22:30 - 24:00: Mindset shifts and incremental vs. transformational innovation. * 24:00 - 26:00: Future of innovation in employee benefits amid complexity. * 26:00 - 28:30: Importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration and breaking silos. * 28:30 - 29:45: Biggest opportunities and the lab’s core focus areas. * 29:45 - 31:55: Why sequencing (exploration before solutions) matters. * 31:55 - 33:30: How to get involved and the path of least resistance. * 33:30 - 34:40: Signals of success and what “working” looks like. * 34:40 - 34:55: Giving voice to quieter contributors. * 34:55 - 35:40: Vision for the future of EBX Labs. * 35:40 - 37:55: Advice for organizations and final thoughts on innovation. * 37:55 - 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 innovation strategies, AI, and human-centered approaches. [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.