Karen Ignagni on Affordability, Medicaid and the Future of Health Insurance

In this episode, Victor Zamora, Executive Vice President of Customer Care, Med-Metrix, discusses how accurate patient intake, technology integration, real-time eligibility, and clear ownership can improve revenue realization, reduce downstream rework, and strengthen the patient experience. This episode is sponsored by Med-Metrix.

In this episode, Patrick Velliky, Chief External Affairs Officer, HaloMD, discusses new research on the No Surprises Act, emergency medicine reimbursement, and the impact of the IDR process on healthcare spending. He examines pre and post NSA payment trends, utilization assumptions, and what the findings could mean for policymakers and providers. This episode is sponsored by HaloMD.

In this episode, Aaron Chang, FACHE, President, East Region, Jefferson Health, discusses balancing regional and system-level leadership, creating greater integration without unnecessary bureaucracy, and standardizing operations while preserving local flexibility. He also shares lessons from Jefferson’s perioperative services integration work and the importance of influence, trust and shared ownership in complex health systems.

In this episode, Amy Hart, CEO of Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Minnesota, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of staying healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally while leading in healthcare. She also shares insights on taking risks, stepping outside of your comfort zone, and embracing opportunities that can shape both personal and professional growth.

In this episode, Katherine Yale, DDS, of PDS Health, joins the podcast to discuss developing diagnostic confidence and the role effective mentorship can play in helping dental professionals grow. She also shares insights on improving performance and retention by supporting clinicians throughout their professional development.

In this episode, Ankit Rohatgi, MD, MBA, FACP, CPE, Vice President of Physician Advisory and Utilization Management at University of Cincinnati Health, joins the podcast to discuss simplifying workflows and reducing friction for staff across healthcare operations. He also shares insights on changes in Medicaid, aligning care models with those shifts, and identifying opportunities for growth while improving how teams work together.

In this episode, Chris Johnson, Founder and CEO of Bluebird Kids Health, joins the podcast to discuss managing the health of a broader patient population and expanding access to pediatric care. He also shares insights on democratizing access to care and building a strong reputation within the community to better serve children and families.

In this episode, Jeremy Cauwels, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Sanford Health, joins the podcast to discuss how Sanford is using AI and virtual care to expand access across rural communities, including bringing specialty expertise closer to patients who face significant geographic barriers to care. He also shares insights on strengthening the rural physician workforce through graduate medical education, preparing clinicians to use emerging technologies while maintaining clinical judgment and trust, and leading change with a continued focus on safety, quality, and the patient experience.

In this episode, Leonardo Marchini, DDS, MSD, PhD, Professor and DEO of the Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, and Brendan Young, PhD, MBA, Associate Professor of Preventive and Community Dentistry, The University of Iowa, discuss their article "Beyond Hand Skills: A Case Analysis of Empathy and Critical Thinking Instruction", published in the Journal of the California Dental Association’s Blue Sky Thinking Collection. They explore behavioral science, patient-centered communication, self-reflection and innovative tools designed to prepare dental students for more thoughtful patient care.

In this episode, Karen Ignagni, CEO, EmblemHealth, discusses the evolving Medicaid landscape, healthcare affordability, interoperability, and how health plans can use technology, AI, care management, and value-based care to better support members. She also shares insights on her return to the CEO role and EmblemHealth's ongoing transformation.