Ali Payne

Health care delivery has changed significantly over the past 20 years due to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's unique, collaborative efforts with physicians and hospitals through our widely recognized Value Partnerships program. Through Value Partnerships, we set out to help providers develop best practices to improve the quality of health care and enhance patient outcomes by connecting reimbursement to value rather than volume. My blog details BCBSM's health care transformation journey over the past 20 years.

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Employee Engagement is critical to the success of any benefit plan strategy. In our upcoming August 6th webinar our CBIZ communications experts share best practices to communicate and engage with employees. Please join us by registering at the following link:

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With the rising demand for weight loss drugs, employers face tough decisions on whether to cover these high-cost medications. | http://spr.ly/60499QlUS | Read about what employers must consider in this Kansas City Business Journal article featuring our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shealynn Buck

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Early detection can help improve health outcomes for plan members and lower health plan spending for employers. Learn how increasing preventive care engagement can reduce the impact of catastrophic claims on employer health plans: https://usi.info/3W0Y9Oz

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Early detection can help improve health outcomes for plan members and lower health plan spending for employers. Learn how increasing preventive care engagement can reduce the impact of catastrophic claims on employer health plans: https://usi.info/3W0Y9Oz

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**Signature Performance, Inc. has been named a Gallagher BEST-IN-CLASS employer! This Best-in-Class Benchmarking Analysis profiles statistically significant attributes of top-performing midsize employers with 100-999 full-time equivalents (FTEs). Data from Gallagher’s 2023 US Benefits Strategy & Benchmarking Survey was interpreted to identify participants that excel in optimizing employee and organizational wellbeing. A total of 1,464 midsize employers responded to the entire set of questions. The top quartile includes the 355 highest-scoring, best-in-class employers (24%). Several criteria identified the midsize best-in-class group. Employers were assigned points and placed in quartiles based on their relative performance in each of the following measures: • Planning horizons for benefits and compensation strategies • Extent of the wellbeing strategy • Turnover rate for FTEs • Completion of a workforce engagement survey • Use of HR technology strategy and its level of sophistication • Difference in healthcare costs over the prior year • Integration of DEI initiatives • Extent of the financial wellbeing strategy • Use of a communication strategy. Congratulations Rick Pane, Andrea Batten, Kimberly Fryar, Jeffry Simet, Allen Fredrickson Chris Vairo, CRCR, PAHM, Mark Mathia, MBA, ACC, CPPC. We are so PROUD of you and love serving you as a Gallagher client! Leah Vetter Linnea Fellows Liz McPeek

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Since when did health insurance companies received thier “MD’s”? This is a long article but a fascinating read. We wonder why healthcare costs continue to escalate and premiums are unaffordable? Well, when you have insurance companies being able to add diagnosis’s and conditions to a members healthcare record which allows them to receive more money for treatment - oh and by the way these members don’t have these illnesses…rocket science not needed here! While this seems like its a “Medicare” problem - it’s happening everywhere. In your commercial and group health plan too. Providers trying to charge patients for negotiated discounts, millions of dollars in fake billings, pharmacy rebates being used to increase insurance company profits versus going back to the companies footing these bills or the patients using the drugs. Insurance companies and the organizations that own physician groups and hospitals have figured out how to game the system to increase profits - not deliver better health outcomes. I do believe that there are a lot of great professionals in the medical field that honestly want to improve the lives of people that they treat - they unfortunately now mostly work for companies that don’t really care much about that.

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Employees navigating a cancer diagnosis face unique challenges affecting their physical, emotional, and even financial well-being. Employers have a chance to provide additional support that can really make a difference — check out this infographic to learn more. #eap #valuebasedcare #healthcare https://ow.ly/I8YO30sE0YU

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Healthcare leaders are grappling with the ongoing mental health crisis in the United States. Dr. Bernard DiCasimirro, Chief Medical Officer at Lucet, emphasizes the benefits of an integrated approach to mental and physical healthcare. Collaborative care between primary care physicians and mental health specialists, appropriately supporting and resourcing physicians, and leveraging technology all contribute to a successful integrated approach. By prioritizing collaboration and streamlined care delivery across all areas, healthcare stakeholders can help all patients access the care they need to thrive. This approach addresses the increased rates of mental health difficulties in the U.S. and ensures access and continuity of care. Let's continue to prioritize mental health and work towards a healthier population. #mentalhealthcare #integratedhealthcare #collaborativecare

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Just listened to an insightful podcast on the innovations in stop-loss self-funding with Daniel Cobb from Strategic Benefit Resources. From AI-driven pricing to increased transparency and flexibility in health benefits management, there are some fascinating innovations reshaping the industry. As more small groups explore self-funded plans, it's crucial for advisors to understand client needs and help them make the transition successfully. I’d definitely recommend this episode for key trends and strategies in stop-loss self-funding. #HealthBenefits #SelfFunding #Innovations #PodcastRecommendations

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Four in 10 adults in the United States have medical debt, highlighting the pressing issue of healthcare affordability. Last Wednesday, the Ohio Senate took a step towards transparency by passing a bill mandating hospitals to publish the cost of their services for public access. If it takes a bill to be passed to require posting your prices, it suggests you don't want anyone to see them. Every hospital, urgent care, surgical center, etc., should be required to post their pricing on their website in a downloadable PDF. Why wouldn’t you? Do you order a steak without knowing the price? Do you buy a car without knowing the price? Do you buy a home without knowing the price? Every single item we own came with a transparent price tag. So, why is medical pricing so secretive? Because they want to charge you as much as they can get away with! Don't let them raise your premiums. Stop the unbundling, upcoding, and phantom charges, and put that money back into your employees' pockets! us-beacon.com Read more about this initiative here: https://lnkd.in/gw8QbxpQ

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Healthcare Cost Alert! 🚨 Projections for 2025 show rising medical costs due to inflation, prescription drugs, and behavioral health expenses. Act NOW to mitigate these impacts. These costs are significant and can affect your business growth. Connect with a Mitigate Partners advisor for a no-obligation chat and start lowering your healthcare costs today. #HealthcareCosts #BusinessGrowth #MitigatePartners

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In a recent podcast discussion with Carl Scott ( the photo below), a seasoned mentor and business partner in the mental health sector, we delved into the essence of leadership, drawing from his extensive 50-year experience working with thousands in healthcare. Scott unveiled the "Carl Scott Method" of leadership, categorizing leaders into three distinct types: Firstly, there are the Destructive Leaders, who, in their brief stint, often exacerbate situations by favoring nepotism and worsening existing conditions. Then, there are the Neutral Leaders, who neither significantly improve nor deteriorate the circumstances they oversee. Lastly, we have the Effective Leaders, the true luminaries of the leadership realm, who shine brightly by nurturing and developing individuals into leaders themselves. During our conversation, Scott underscored the rarity of effective leaders in the workplace, prompting a profound reflection on the pivotal role of leadership in organizational success. Indeed, as the saying goes, the speed of the leader determines the pace of the pack—a notion echoed by Scott's insights. This concept crystallized for me while watching a basketball game between the Lakers and the Denver Nuggets. Despite initially leading by a significant margin, the Lakers ultimately faltered, with their coach deflecting blame onto the referees rather than owning up to his own shortcomings. This starkly contrasted with iconic coaches like Phil Jackson, Pat Riley, and Gregg Popovich, who consistently took responsibility for their teams' performances, win or lose. The distinction between effective and ineffective leadership became even more apparent. Effective leaders—whether in sports, business, or parenting—prioritize self-improvement as the foundation for developing others. It's a realization that explains the prevalence of destructive and neutral leaders—many simply haven't invested in their own growth. So, the million-dollar question emerges: What type of leader are you? It's a question that demands honesty and introspection. If you claim to be an effective leader yet your team flounders, it's time for a candid reassessment. In the wake of my enlightening conversation with Carl Scott, I'm compelled to extend an offer: If you recognize a need for growth in your leadership capabilities, I'm here to help you ascend to new heights efficiently and effectively. After all, the mark of an effective leader lies not in their words, but in the results they inspire in their teams, children, and employees. #businessowner #businessman #ceo #cso #cto #womeninbusiness #leadership #leaders #dentist #entrepreneur #entrepreneurs #drjohnoda #keynote #executivebusinesscoaching #sales #cmo #wealth

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In the evolving landscape of employer-provided health benefits, inclusivity is taking center stage. 🤝 💡 Inclusive Benefits Design: 📌 Focus on Low-Wage Workers: 20% of employers are enhancing benefits specifically for low-wage and unskilled workers, highlighting an inclusive approach to health benefits. 📌 Tailored Benefits: By designing benefits that cater to the unique needs of different employee groups, employers can foster a more supportive and equitable work environment. Creating inclusive health benefits is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic one, as it helps in attracting and retaining a diverse and talented workforce. 👥🏢 👉🏼🔗 Take the Health Benefits Diagnostic Q2 2024 to see how your company’s benefits stack up and discover opportunities to better support your employees. https://lnkd.in/gb95QFmC

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"Employers, armed with claims data and insights into their workforce, often already have the data necessary to tailor their health and wellness programs to meet the specific needs of their employees. However, traditional health advisories and routine suggestions often miss the mark, especially with the most vulnerable segments of the workforce. The key to engaging these individuals lies in leveraging the data at hand to deliver personalized communications. These should highlight relevant health threats, recommend specific screenings based on individual health histories, and address potential future medical needs." https://lnkd.in/eh_spUVT #benefitsadvisor #employeebenefits #personalization

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