Insights
Side Affects Podcast
Provoking People to Think Differently
At McGohan Brabender, we know the importance of staying on top of the latest industry trends and keeping your workforce informed. That’s why we created our podcast, Side Affects, to help take the complexity out of healthcare.
Whether you are new to insurance or a seasoned executive, our podcast provides expert advice and innovative ideas about leadership, legislation, culture, compliance, and other topics. When you tune in to Side Affects, you’ll access exclusive insights from industry experts who share their knowledge and experiences. Our hosts, along with our guests, provide practical advice and proven strategies to help you improve your services in a crowded market.
Our podcast, which has received “new and noteworthy” recognition three times, was the first benefits podcast published on iTunes and is designed for busy professionals who want to stay informed while continuing to keep up with the demands of their business. We offer an immersive audio experience that can be accessed anytime, anywhere, making it the perfect tool to help you stay ahead of the curve.
Explore our collection of over 130 podcast episodes and discover how we can help you elevate your benefits.
Featured Episodes
Episode #128
Re-Imagining Open Enrollment Communication: Part II
In this episode, listeners will learn how to create and present a 15 minute open enrollment meeting that still includes all of the necessary pieces of information, doesn’t overwhelm your employees and perhaps changes the way they view them entirely. Be ready to listen with an open mind – because if Dave and Kenzie do their jobs right – your job during open enrollment season will be 100 times easier. Tune in now!
Episode #127
Re-Imagining Open Enrollment Meetings: Part I
MB Chief Marketing Officer, Dave Homan has been in the health benefits world for over 25 years with intense research in the past few about employee benefit communication strategies. Sadly, open enrollment meetings haven’t changed much when our technology and innovation has. Dave and Side Affects Producer, Kenzie are going to share how employees feel about open enrollment meetings, why they need to be re-imagined and solutions on how to turn them from a “stressor” to a “delighter.”
Previous Podcasts
Episode #51
The Direct Primary Care Movement
In Direct Primary Care, patients pay a level monthly fee for access to their primary care physician as needed. Scott and Anne Marie welcome Dr. Amy Mechley of Integrative Family Care of Cincinnati, who explains how her Direct Primary Care practice works as an alternative to traditional insurance plans.
Listen NowEpisode #50
A Primary Partnership
Primary care is garnering respect and generating results, thanks to a rise in health care consumerism and value-based reimbursement models. Here are the not-so-hidden benefits of a primary partnership.
Listen NowEpisode #49
Raising the Bar for Law
In this episode of Side Affects, Jill Snitcher McQuain of the Columbus Bar Association talks with Scott McGohan about how the CBA’s mission. The CBA is dedicated to bringing lawyers together for the betterment of the legal profession while helping the community and clients who are seeking legal assistance.
Listen NowEpisode #47
Navigating Health Care
Health care billing and coverage issues are complicated. When issues arise, you need someone with knowledge to advocate for you. Scott and Anne Marie welcome Kim Snyder, MB’s customer care manager, to talk about how her team of industry experts knows how to fight for our clients, saving them time, headaches, and money.
Listen NowEpisode #46
The Opioid Crisis
Scott and Anne Marie welcome Jay Meyer to share his story of overcoming opioid addiction. Meyer, a former pharmacist, tells a chilling story of how easy it is to slip into addiction, and how difficult it is to emerge. Now a personal development coach, Meyer shared his insights from his personal journey.
Listen NowEpisode #45
The Health Care Executive Order
In October 2017, President Trump signed the Health Care Executive Order that would eliminate the requirement for essential benefits coverage, among other things. Scott and Anne Marie welcome Grant Reed, MB’s Director of Financial and Analytical Services, to examine what this means for employers.
Listen NowEpisode #44
Who’s Really on Drugs?
A month before the November 2017 election, Ohioans were still unclear on Issue 2, the Ohio Drug Price Relief Act. On the surface, it sounds like a good thing for Ohio consumers. Scott and Anne Marie are joined by MB colleagues Michael Orr and Adam Griffith to examine Issue 2 may, in fact, have the opposite effect.
Listen NowEpisode #43
A United Way for Better Communities
This episode of Side Affects steps away from health care and into creating healthier communities. Scott McGohan is joined by members of the United Way and Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors to discuss the challenges Americans are facing today, the biggest forces impacting our communities and much more.
Listen NowEpisode #42
Driving Leadership
Scott McGohan welcomes Ryan Hawk of the Learning Leader Show to discuss the traits that drive others to become better leaders. As the owner of Leadership Podcast, Ryan has spoken to over 200 business leaders and influencers. He shares the qualities, skills, and secrets utilized by the most successful leaders today.
Listen NowEpisode #41
Investing in Leadership
Business leaders often find themselves unable to turn to a colleague for advice or feedback. Fortunately, Aileron is here. Scott is joined by Joni Fedders, President at Aileron, to discuss how Aileron is creating a space where entrepreneurs can express their honest concerns and get valuable feedback.
Listen NowEpisode #40
The Ohio Drug Price Relief Act
Scott and Anne Marie welcome back Antonio Ciaccia of the Ohio Pharmacy Association to dissect Issue 2, the Ohio Drug Price Relief Act that was subsequently defeated in Ohio in November 2017. Learn why pharmacists believed the issue, which purported to lower drug prices, would have unintended consequences for consumers.
Listen NowEpisode #39
Giving Back
If you think your organization can’t afford to give back, think again. Scott and Anne Marie show how resources spent on charitable pursuits is good for employers, employees … and it’s good for business. When more people are selective about who they work for or do business with, a giving culture can give you the edge.
Listen NowEpisode #38
Value-Based Health Care
Value-based health care is an emerging reimbursement model that doesn’t penalize doctors for making their patients healthy. In other words, doctors are paid for positive outcomes, rather than the traditional fee-for-service model. Scott and Anne Marie talk about how – and why – Value-Based Health Care works.
Listen NowEpisode #36
The Problem with PBMs
Scott and Anne Marie welcome guest Antonio Ciaccia of the Ohio Pharmacists Association to talk about high prescription drug prices. Ciaccia says a “dysfunctional system” allows a lack of transparency, and that makes it possible for middlemen within the pharmacy supply chain to negotiate high prices in secrecy.
Listen NowEpisode #35
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
At MB, we focus a lot on health management from the employer’s point of view. In this episode of Side Affects, special guest Samantha Redden talks with Scott about her experience with diabetes and her role at JDRF, including some of the promising management devices that are now in the clinical trial stage.
Listen NowEpisode #33
The GOP Health Care Proposal
The Republicans’ first attempt to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act didn’t get enough votes to pass, but it gave a glimpse into some of their intentions. In this episode from March 2017, ERISA Attorney Paul Routh joins Scott and Anne Marie about the proposal, and how it sets the stage for future debate.
Listen NowEpisode #32
Is a Captive Right for you?
Self-funding can save money, but until recently only large employers could handle the added risk. Today, there’s an option for businesses with 50 to 300 employees that combines the savings of self-funding with the protection of full funding. MB President Mike Suttman joins Scott to talk about captive arrangements.
Listen NowEpisode #31
ActionMasters Performance Coaching
Scott and Anne Marie welcome Betsy Westhafer, a performance coach and founder of ActionMasters Network. She finds one trait stands out among successful leaders: They don’t want to be the smartest person in the room. They hire for outcomes and qualities, not for a skill-set on a resume. Find out how this approach works.
Listen NowEpisode #30
Improve with Improv!
Justin Howard, founder of Black Box Improv, talks with Scott and Anne Marie about training your brain to listen. Too often, he says, we’re more concerned about what we’re going to say that we don’t really hear what others are saying.
Listen NowEpisode #29
Soft Skills Beat Hard Sell
Technical skills might open doors but soft skills will maintain relationships. Scott and Anne Marie talk about the value of soft skills — listening, responding and recognizing nonverbal queues. Poor soft skills drive away clients, while good skills pull them in. And soft skills, like technical skills, can be taught.
Listen NowEpisode #28
The Value of Vision Coverage
Vision coverage is the voluntary benefit that employees request most. It’s an inexpensive way to enhance your benefits package and attract and retain employees. Scott and Anne Marie talk about the value of vision coverage.
Listen NowEpisode #27
The Next Generation
Millennials now outnumber Baby Boomers in the workforce. Scott and Anne Marie talk with Melissa Carr and Michael Allen of Generation Dayton, an organization for young professionals, on how employers can connect to and develop our future leaders.
Listen NowEpisode #26
“Hood Robin” and Prescription Drug Pricing
This episode marks our first foray into the secretive world of prescription drug pricing, and it's one we'll revisit many times. Scott likens it to Robin Hood in reverse — the real payers of prescriptions are propping up a dysfunctional system.
Listen NowEpisode #25
Employee Assistance Programs
When employees are under stress, at work or at home, their well-being and performance suffers. An Employee Assistance Program, or EAP, could be the solution. EAP offers free confidential, professional counseling. Scott and Anne Marie talk about EAP services, the value they bring, and simple ways to get the word out.
Listen NowEpisode #24
The evolution of wellness
Scott and Anne Marie are joined by Alexandra Paul, National Wellness Executive for Humana Health Care. She says the focus of wellness has evolved from awareness to activities to outcomes. And the future holds the promise of earlier and improved disease detection.
Listen Now