Turning Health Costs Into Culture Wins with Keith Lemer

In this Session from ASOTU CON 2025, Zac Kinch sits down with Keith Lemer, CEO of WellNet, to explore how reframing healthcare costs can directly enhance company culture. Keith shares real-world examples of transforming healthcare from a dreaded budget line item into a powerful recruitment and retention tool—turning dollars into deeper employee engagement. From guiding employees toward smarter healthcare decisions to implementing innovative savings strategies, Keith illustrates how dealers can take control of one of their largest operating expenses.

The conversation unpacks how companies like Carter Myers Automotive are using healthcare savings to reinvest in their people, even waiving employee premiums. Keith challenges the belief that the healthcare system is broken and instead calls out who it's truly working for. This episode is a must-listen for dealers and business leaders who are ready to connect the dots between culture, cost control, and employee well-being.

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Timestamped Takeaways:

0:00 Intro

0:43 Healthcare is a cultural glue for organizations

1:33 The system works—for those who profit from it

2:16 Same procedure, wildly different costs across locations

3:24 Creative healthcare strategies save businesses millions

4:40 Real case: $3,000 back in employees’ pockets

5:08 Culture wins: referrals, retention, and fewer sick days

8:09 Healthcare with Ritz-Carlton level service