Voices of Self Funding: Inside the Employer Playbook: Strategies Shaping the Future of Self Funding

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On this episode of Voices of Self-Funding, host Ramesh Kumar welcomes Lee Lewis, Chief Strategy Officer at the Health Transformation Alliance and host of the Broken Benefits podcast. Together, they explore how some of the nation’s largest employers are reshaping healthcare — and what smaller self-funded employers and TPAs can learn from their playbook. Lee introduces his “ABC” framework: Advanced Primary Care, Behavioral Health, and Centers of Excellence. They dive into why direct primary care is gaining traction, how advanced behavioral therapies like TMS and ketamine can unlock cost-effective mental health care, and why Centers of Excellence and tiered networks are becoming essential levers for better outcomes at lower cost. From strategies to supplement traditional networks to practical steps TPAs can take to differentiate and deliver value, this is a powerful conversation packed with actionable insights for anyone rethinking healthcare benefits in a self-funded world. Registration is now open for HCAA’s Executive Forum 2026, where conversations like this continue live. Learn more at HCAA.org. This episode was sponsored by WLT Software. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen