B-Time with Beth Bierbower

Pharmacy costs have risen over the years and have gained the attention of regulators as well as health plans, employers, and consumers.  The idea of cost transparency and rebates have also generated a lot of discussion more recently.  More than 60 PBMs administer prescription drug plans for more than 270 million Americans.  Our guest is JC Scott, President of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA), which is a nationa...

Full Script:

Hi Listeners, I am introducing a new concept today.  Over the years, people have asked me what books I’ve been reading, and which podcasts I regularly listen to.  As you know, I ask this question of our guests on each episode.  Here’s the idea: From time to time I’ll share a VERY brief review of a favorite book.  These reviews will cover topics that will resonate with you as a business professional and will cover a var...

On B-Time, we bring guests to the show who refuse to accept the status quo.  Our guest today, Dr. Rushika Fernandopulle is taking on the primary care delivery system.  His mission in life is to transform healthcare by building a new model of care.

Rushika is a primary care physician, CEO and co-founder of Iora Health, a primary care delivery organization dedicated primarily to serving older adults.  Iora is unique in that it focuse...

David Weingard was a healthy 36-year-old participating in triathlons when he was diagnosed with Type I diabetes.  He had no family history of the disease and no where to turn for help.  He searched the internet but was overwhelmed with information.  He needed someone to help him sort through all this information and help him get on the right path – quickly.  Luckily, David found a diabetes educator who helped him understand that be...

Public policy has significant impact on all corporations and it’s important for business professionals to understand this topic.   However, public policy issues also generate as much “noise” as they do facts so it’s difficult to sort through and understand what’s important and what’s not.  Mark Newsom, Founder and Principal of Health Evaluations a Washington, DC based consulting practice gives us solid advice and good tips as to ho...

In March of 2020, the US was beginning to shut down.  Restaurants and bars were closed.  Schools and libraries shut their doors.  A debate was raging over the definition of an essential worker.  CEO Keith Jones had to determine how to serve a precious and vulnerable population, children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, while ensuring continuity of care and the safety of his employees.  I speak with Keith about key leadership decision...

Gabe Flateman was one of several co-founders at Casper who took a painful, opaque experience and brought transparency, simplicity and joy to consumers.  Now, Flateman is poised to do the same in healthcare.  As co-founder and CTO of Tomorrow Health, Flateman is rethinking the world of home-based services such as Durable Medical Equipment which is often wrought with complexity and delays putting some of healthcare’s most vulnerable ...

In 2001, Ron Williams joined Aetna as its President and was charged alongside its CEO to right the ship.  Williams was known for his operational chops but he soon discovered that Aetna needed to improve more than its processes, it needed to overhaul its culture and he proved to be the right man for the job.  Williams later became Chairman and CEO of Aetna continuing to successfully grow the company and transition it within a rapidl...

Bea Wray stepped off the career ladder to be with her then very young children.  Upon re-entering the business world, Wray lacked the confidence that she still had the skills she needed to be a successful executive.  Wray leaned into her parenting skills to not only get back on the ladder but to keep climbing.  Wray shares how she juggled her work and personal life and not always successfully.  Wray’s authenticity and her approach ...

Professor Gordon Hewitt tells us that traditional corporate strategy tools such as SWAT analysis and identifying corporate competive advantage won't work in today's complex and dynamic marketplaces. Today's competitive dynamics fundamentally alter the nature and basis of competition.  Companies must focus on value creation and not just incremental improvements.  Organizations must shift their mindsets from better proces...

Bunny Ellerin has a knack for seeing opportunities to create connections.  First, she created the HBS HealthCare Industry Alumni Network and then she co-founded NYC Healthcare Business Leaders. In both situations Ellerin saw an unmet need, that people need to be connected and sharing information and experiences with each other and helping with career networking.  Listen as Bunny shares how an accident propelled her into healthcare ...

Lightening strikes twice (in a good way) for Josh Landy, cofounder of Play with a Legend and founder of Bake with a Legend.  Landy formed not one, but two successful businesses ased on former UK footballers and contestants from The Great British Baking Show.  Josh makes dreams come true for individuals who want to interact with their favorite sports hero or baker.  Tune in and hear Josh's journey and secrets to success!

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Have you ever felt like work was draining every ounce of your energy and you just couldn't get it back? If you want to be at the top of your game at work, you have to take time to refuel and re-energize. Lisa Levy Shaub is both a coach and coach mentor at WW. Lisa has helped thousands of people over her career including celebrities such as Oprah. Join Lisa as she talks about characteristics of resilient people and shares tips o...

Telehealth has seemingly exploded overnight but in reality, this tool has been around for 80 years.  The rapid increase is the result of the Coronavirus and the temporary relaxation of Federal and State regulations.  What will happen after the Public Health Emergency is over?  Join me as I discuss the growth of telehealth and what must happen to sustain the momentum in the future with Ann Mond Johnson, CEO of the ATA. 

Show notes: ...

Individuals have often found difficulty in accessing care for mental health and/or substance abuse issues.  According to the National Institute of mental health, 1 in 5 adults have a mental health issue.  Of those adults with a mental illness, only 42% receive treatment.  For adolescents aged 13 – 18, 45% have a mental illness. 

Substance Abuse also continues to be a problem.  According to statistics from the Addiction Center, almo...

Cindy O’Dare real estate Broker extraordinaire, tells us how she acquired high profile clients like the Bee Gees, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Eric Clapton by opening herself up to opportunities and taking chances.  With over $1B in lifetime sales, Cindy shares how she acquired the entrepreneurial bug, and why it’s important to say “yes” and open yourself up to the many possibilities in front of you.  Cindy's favorite ...

Customer behavior has changed suddenly with safety being a top concern.  Frank Capek, Partner and Transformation Design Leader at Innosight, a strategic consulting firm focused on innovation,  shares why companies must quickly adapt to serve both customers and employees in a way that addresses their concerns for safety, financial security and basic living needs.  Many organizations are rethinking their operating models and must ens...

On our inaugural episode of BTime, we welcome Celia Huber as our first guest on the podcast. Celia is a Senior Partner at the global consulting firm, McKinsey & Company. Over the last 28 years, Celia has led the transformation of organization's strategies across a number of industries throughout the world. On this episode, Beth invites Celia to discuss her insights into the unexpected and drastic changes organizations have...