Medicare Advantage, Payer Drama & Alleged Blackmail: A Healthcare Soap Opera with Jakob Emerson

In this episode, Joseph McDonough, founder and CEO of Innovive Health, shares insights into how his organization is transforming home health by serving one of the most complex and underserved populations—adults with serious mental illness and multiple comorbidities. He discusses Innovive’s unique care model, national expansion plans, and the power of data in improving outcomes and reducing hospitalizations.

In this episode, Dr. Kemberly Blackledge, Chief Revenue Cycle Officer at Nashville General Hospital, shares insights into how the hospital is advancing health equity through innovative programs, EHR modernization, and strategic partnerships—while tackling challenges like inflation, funding cuts, and federal regulation to ensure long-term sustainability.

In this episode, Praveen Chopra, Chief Digital and Information Officer at Emplify Health, shares how the organization is empowering staff through responsible AI use, driving innovation with agile teams, and cultivating a “huggable” culture that keeps people at the heart of healthcare transformation.

In this episode, Dr. Alicia Pilarski, Chief Well-Being Officer at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, discusses innovative strategies for improving healthcare worker well-being, fostering social connection, and reducing burnout. She shares insights on leadership, organizational growth, and the evolving challenges in the healthcare landscape.

In this episode, Rylee Wilson speaks with Dr. James O’Dea and Dr. J. Craig Allen of Hartford HealthCare about the future of behavioral health and addiction medicine. They discuss the critical importance of access to care, strategies for keeping patients engaged in treatment, and the latest advancements in addiction medicine, including new technologies and value-based care approaches.

In this episode, Steve Tringale, President of Mass General Brigham Health Plan, discusses the evolving landscape of healthcare, the challenges and opportunities brought by change, and how the organization is leveraging AI and integrated care to improve member outcomes and experiences. He also shares insights into leadership in a time of rapid industry transformation.

Okey Agba, CFO at Hartford HealthCare, dives into the rising cost of care delivery and how the organization is tackling it through innovation and efficiency. He emphasizes AI integration not as a replacement for human labor, but as a powerful tool to enhance productivity. Okey also shares exciting breakthroughs and projects underway at Hartford HealthCare, along with the system’s continued commitment to expanding access and driving innovation in patient care.

In this episode, Jakob Emerson, Associate News Director at Becker’s Healthcare, joins Scott Becker to break down developments in the payer world, including Centene's Texas CEO firing amid blackmail allegations and the Medicare Advantage rate hike under new CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz.

In this episode of the Becker's Healthcare Podcast, Erica Carbajal speaks with Jennifer Baron, Chief Experience Officer at NRC Health, and Kathryn Peisert, Editor in Chief & Senior Director at TGI, about the critical role of trust in shaping the future of patient experience. Drawing from NRC Health's 2025 Experience Perspective report, they explore how health systems can strategically embed trust into their culture, improve engagement, and stay ahead of shifting expectations.This episode is sponsored by NRC Health.

In this episode, Madeline Ashley speaks with Craig Collins, Senior Vice President and CFO of UK HealthCare, about the system’s rapid expansion, major technology investments, and strategies for financial sustainability. Collins shares insights on Project Blue Connect, UK HealthCare’s statewide impact, and how the organization is shaping the future of patient care in Kentucky.