Why Employers Are 'Flying Blind' on Healthcare Costs

Why Employers Are 'Flying Blind' on Healthcare Costs

From Code WACK! by HEAL California

April 13, 2026 · 13 min

About this episode

This episode discusses how employers lack transparency in healthcare costs and the implications for employees.

This time on CodeWACK! Most employers don't actually know what they're paying for healthcare - and employees are paying the price. In this episode of Code WACK!, discover why companies are "flying blind" on healthcare costs, how opaque pricing drives higher premiums, and what this means for your coverage, care, and financial security. To learn more, we spoke with Chuck Melendi, who has more than three decades of experience in healthcare leadership, advocacy, and industry strategy. He spent 25 years at Johnson & Johnson, where he tackled issues including drug pricing, payer negotiations, policy, and commercial strategy. Chuck retired from Johnson & Johnson in early 2025 and went on to launch Disruptive Dialogue, a podcast and consulting platform where he shares insights from inside the U.S. healthcare system – while exploring ideas for reform. This is the second of a two-part series. Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more! And please keep Code WACK! on the air with a tax-deductible donation at heal-ca.org/donate .

People in this episode

Guest: Chuck Melendi

Topics covered

  • healthcare costs
  • employer healthcare
  • opaque pricing
  • financial security

Keywords

  • healthcare
  • employers
  • costs
  • premiums
  • coverage

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Disruptive Dialogue

Books & works: Disruptive Dialogue, the Transcript and Show Notes

Places: U.S.

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