Modern Healthcare's Healthcare Insider Podcast

Hospitals are under pressure to maintain safe, efficient care environments while managing rising operating costs, aging infrastructure and limited capital budgets. In this episode of Healthcare Insider, Christy Fetsch and Michael Pickard of Trane discuss how healthcare leaders can rethink deferred maintenance, evaluate the hidden cost of inaction and structure facility investments in more predictable, budget-friendly ways. The conversation explores how aging building systems can affect patient care, why emergency repairs often cost more than planned modernization, and how aligning facilities, finance and clinical leaders can help organizations move from reactive spending to strategic infrastructure planning. What You'll Learn How deferred maintenance can disrupt clinical operations and patient environments Why aging infrastructure may affect lending, bond ratings and long-term financial risk How flexible financing can help turn large capital projects into predictable payments Ways to align facility upgrades with patient care, safety, resilience and operating performance

What does the future of lung transplantation look like? In this new podcast episode, Dr. Rachel Ann Criner of Temple Health explores how one of the nation's leading transplant programs is advancing pulmonary care through innovation, operational excellence and research-driven treatment strategies. The conversation examines how Temple Health is expanding transplant eligibility, integrating clinical research into patient care and supporting increasingly complex patient populations through coordinated multidisciplinary care. Listeners will hear insights on: Advances in lung transplant technology and donor organ innovation How leading programs are redefining transplant candidacy The role of coordinated care and remote monitoring in improving outcomes Why clinical trials and targeted therapies are reshaping pulmonary medicine Tune in to learn how Temple Health is helping redefine what's possible in complex pulmonary and transplant care.

Chronic disease management is growing more complex as new therapies reshape the treatment landscape. In this episode, Dr. Michelle Gourdine, senior vice president of CVS Health and chief medical officer of CVS Caremark, discusses how pharmacy leaders are balancing access to innovative treatments with long-term affordability and clinical outcomes. As more options emerge for conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, Gourdine outlines how evidence-based benefit design can help improve access while managing cost. She also explores the role of coordinated pharmacy support in improving medication adherence.

Healthcare mergers and acquisitions often focus on financial alignment and clinical integration, but physical infrastructure can play an equally critical role in long-term success. Christy Fetsch, healthcare vertical market strategy leader at Trane, shares why building systems and facility performance are frequently overlooked during M&A and how that oversight can introduce unexpected risks. Drawing on her experience advising health systems, Fetsch explains how infrastructure assessments can reveal hidden capital needs. She also outlines how these challenges can influence integration timelines and overall deal value. Additionally, the conversation offers strategies for aligning building systems across newly combined organizations, while highlighting opportunities to improve energy efficiency, advance sustainability goals and modernize facility operations.

AI is poised to support value-based care by improving outcomes, reducing administrative burden and helping clinicians focus on what matters most: patient care. In this episode, Dr. Rob Bessler, CEO of Honest Health, and Seema Verma, Executive Vice President and General Manager at Oracle, explore how AI can be applied responsibly and effectively to advance healthcare transformation. Tune in for expert insights on: How AI is reducing administrative burden and helping clinicians focus on care What health systems should consider when evaluating AI solutions Guiding principles for making smart, sustainable AI investments

Hospitals are under mounting financial pressure while also navigating a complex shift toward value-based care. In this episode, Dr. Rob Bessler, CEO of Honest Health, and Rick Pollack, CEO of the American Hospital Association, examine the critical decisions health systems face today and the long-term strategies needed for success tomorrow. Tune in for a timely discussion on: Strategic considerations for internal development vs. external partnerships What "success" in value-based care could look like a decade from now Practical guidance for CEOs planning for long-term transformation

Healthcare facilities are under growing pressure to balance safety, sustainability, patient experience and budgets —all while meeting rising expectations for smarter, more flexible care environments. In this episode, Jennifer Michalski, Business Development Manager at Construction Specialties, shares how healthcare design priorities are evolving as organizations look to: Strengthen infection control through durable, easy-to-clean materials that maintain long-term performance Create holistic spaces that support patient comfort, staff workflow and intuitive wayfinding Adapt construction strategies for fast-growing care settings such as behavioral health, senior living and children's hospitals Align cost efficiency with long-term value without compromising safety or design goals Tune in to learn how hospitals, health systems and senior living providers are rethinking construction and design to support the next generation of care delivery.

The No Surprises Act and Good Faith Estimates were designed to protect patients, but they've also created new operational challenges for providers, particularly around patient credits and managing refunds. In this episode of Healthcare Insider, Jessica Lemoine, AVP and Healthcare Success Manager at Fifth Third Bank, shares her insights on how health systems can navigate these complexities and modernize the patient financial experience. Listeners will learn: How financial transparency rules are increasing patient credits and what that means for providers The biggest operational and patient experience challenges in refund management Innovative tools and workflows that streamline refunds and improve consumer trust Tune in to hear how health systems can embrace automation, flexible payment solutions and financial partnerships to create a more seamless and consumer-centric patient payment journey.

In this episode of Healthcare Insider, Modern Healthcare's Maria Castellucci speaks with August Boehnlein, associate marketing manager at Midmark Corporation. Boehnlein unpacks the 2024 standards, explains the significance of the newly established 17-inch low seat height requirement and shares how thoughtful equipment design can drive better outcomes for both patients and providers.

Surprise bills and opaque healthcare costs continue to frustrate consumers. Health plans must do more to address these concerns or risk losing members. In this episode of Healthcare Insider, Jay Deady, president of price optimization at Zelis, joins Modern Healthcare to explore how payers can evolve beyond call centers and generic outreach to offer personalized, transparent billing support. Learn how new tools and approaches are helping health plans build trust, improve member satisfaction and reduce financial stress—one interaction at a time.

Managing specialty drug inventory is exceedingly complex as pharmacy leaders contend with rising costs, unpredictable demand and labor shortages. In this episode of Healthcare Insider, Cardinal Health's James Roof, director of strategic distribution services, and Diana Castillo, national consignment executive, share how modern consignment models, combined with innovative RFID technology, can dramatically reduce waste, improve medication accessibility and relieve workflow burdens on pharmacy staff. The episode also breaks down best practices for evaluating inventory carrying costs, reducing human error and scaling innovative solutions in facilities with space constraints. Listen now to discover how your organization can adopt a flexible, tech-enabled consignment strategy.

Hospitals today face rising drug costs, workforce shortages, supply chain disruptions and tightening reimbursement, making financial sustainability increasingly difficult to achieve. In this episode of Healthcare Insider, Cardinal Health's Mike Brown, R.Ph, vice president of managed services, and Michelle Dalton, PharmD, regional director of account management and operations, discuss how a strategic approach to pharmacy management can help hospitals of all sizes reduce costs, optimize operations and unlock new revenue streams. They also share how one Southeastern health system kept $3 million in clinical savings in one year by transforming pharmacy operations. Listen to learn how your organization can tap into the pharmacy's full potential to drive financial resilience and growth across your system.