“We’re thinking about switching HRIS…”Famous. Last. Words.This episode is all about how HRIS platforms actually differ—and why so many teams end up frustrated after implementation.If you’ve sat through five demos that all felt exactly the same, this will help you ask better questions before you sign anything. This is a truly neutral guide to HRIS platforms—no selling, no affiliate links, no bias.I don’t work for those guys and I’m not here to push one platform over another. What I did do was conduct countless interviews across the HRIS ecosystem to build a tight, concise episode covering:* Where platforms really differ* Why implementations go sideways* What actually matters for your organization* How to avoid common (and costly) mistakesSave this if an HRIS decision is on your horizonTag the person who’ll end up owning the implementationDM me if you’re mid-HRIS evaluation—this episode was built for you

It’s that time of year… when HR gets absolutely flooded with FSA questions.Yes — your FSA can buy some pretty weird stuff.Oura rings?Massage guns?DNA tests?Yep. All real.In this episode, we break down unusual (but legit!) FSA purchases, clarify what actually qualifies, and help employees make the most of those use-it-or-lose-it dollars before they disappear.Perfect for HR pros, benefits teams, and anyone trying to spend FSA funds wisely—without crossing the line.

This episode features an awesome conversation with Shane Foss, CEO of Hooray Health, about a super affordable and high-value option your employees will actually use and love.We break down a benefit designed specifically for part-time and hourly staff, offering:* Low co-pays* A large national provider network* Virtual care access* Rx component* Simple, predictable costs* A benefit employees genuinely appreciateIf you’ve been looking for a way to strengthen your benefits portfolio without blowing up your budget — this might be the perfect solution.Don’t miss this fun, insightful episode!

Some of you know my story, and some of you don’t — but growing up on the run from a violent household, spending time in battered women’s shelters, and even living through a kidnapping are all parts of what shaped me. They’re also why I care so deeply about doing good in this world… and why I’m so proud to serve on the board of Rainbow Services, Ltd., an incredible organization supporting survivors of domestic violence.Coming right after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday — days centered on food, deals, and consumption — Giving Tuesday gives us a meaningful contrast. It’s a reminder to pause, give back, and choose impact.In this episode, we cover:* What Giving Tuesday is really about* How companies can approach corporate giving in a way that fits their culture* One powerful nonprofit (Rainbow Services) doing life-changing work* How individuals AND organizations can make a differenceWhether you’re giving personally, leading a team, or shaping company culture, this episode offers a thoughtful roadmap for purposeful generosity.

The holiday season is officially underway… which means holiday party planning is in full swing!But before you hit send on those invites, this episode breaks down the 9 essential things HR and employers need to consider — the details that can truly make or break your event.We cover:* Alcohol or no alcohol?* Family-friendly vs. adults-only* Expectations, communication & guardrails* How to create a fun, safe, inclusive celebrationA quick, practical guide your future self will thank you for.

There’s a fairly new(ish) legislative mandate that’s catching some employers off guard — the Gag Clause Attestation requirement tied to your company’s health insurance plan.In this quick, informative episode, we break down:* What the Gag Clause Attestation actually is* Who needs to file it (and how often)* Important deadlines & compliance steps* Simple action items to make sure your organization is coveredShort, clear, and to the point — everything you need to know to stay compliant and avoid costly oversights.

There are a lot of plan designs out there that promise tax advantages, cost savings, or “creative” ways to structure benefits… but not all of them are compliant. Some are even double-dipping schemes that can create major legal and financial risk for employers.So we brought in someone who actually knows this space at the highest level: Alden Bianchi — a nationally-recognized employee benefits attorney who:* Testified before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee during the development of the ACA* Served as Mitt Romney’s outside counsel on the Massachusetts health care reform law* Helped shape the very framework that became the Affordable Care ActYeah… he knows a thing or two.In this episode, we break down:* Where employers get into trouble* How these “tax-advantaged” plan designs really work* What not to do* How to evaluate whether your plan is actually compliantClear, practical, and a must-watch for HR, consultants, CFOs, and anyone touching employee benefits strategy.

Open enrollment season is here! Whether you’re choosing your health plan for the first time or just need a quick refresher, this under 9-minute episode gives you everything you need to make smart, confident choices.We’ll break down:* The difference between HMO and PPO plans* What’s the deal with Kaiser Permanente?* How to think about deductibles, networks, and coverage levels* All delivered with a touch of humor and zero boring jargon!Quick. Insightful. Actually fun. Tune in and get ready to make the most of open enrollment season!

In this very special (and very scary) episode, we’re diving into all things Halloween at work — from fun ideas and team activities to best practices for keeping it festive and professional. We cover:* Office costume contests & team themes* Creative treats, decorations, and events* How to keep celebrations inclusive & fun for everyone* Simple ways to boost morale and team spiritDon’t miss a chance to turn your trick into a treat this Halloween! About the Show:The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

Have you heard of an LSA—or wondered why they’re quickly becoming one of the most popular employee benefits out there?In this episode, I sit down with Rob Cinco to break down everything you need to know about Lifestyle Spending Accounts—what they are, how they work, and why both employers and employees can’t get enough of them!We cover:* What an LSA is and how it differs from FSAs & HSAs* Why employers are adding them to their benefits mix* How employees use them for real, everyday wellness perks* The pros, cons, and creative ways to roll one outIf you’re looking for a fresh, flexible, and fun benefit idea to bring to your organization, LSAs might be exactly what you’ve been looking for! ????About the Show:The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

This episode is all about helping you get ready to make it awesome. Whether you’re a team member, manager, or HR pro, we’ve got fun, thoughtful, and easy ideas to celebrate your boss (or your team leaders!) the right way.We’ll cover:* Creative gift ideas that stand out* Meaningful ways to show appreciation* How to personalize your message* Simple gestures that make a big impactTune in for inspiration, last-minute ideas, and a reminder that a little appreciation goes a long way.#TheHITPodcast #BossesDay #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeAppreciation #HRLeadership

We’ve reached the third and final episode in our incredible series with the Podfather himself — Spencer Smith — and we’re closing things out with a bang!In this episode, we dig into point solutions, explore how they’re shaping today’s self-funded landscape, and then take a look into the crystal ball to talk about the future of healthcare.If you want forward-thinking insights from one of the most trusted voices in the industry, this one’s a can’t-miss.Be sure to catch Parts 1 & 2, available now, for the full conversation!About the Show:The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

Self-insuring can feel complicated—especially when you get into contract provisions or health insurance captives.In Part 2 of our 3-part series with the Podfather himself, Spencer Smith, CSFS®, we break down:* What a health insurance captive actually is* When a captive might be the right fit for your group * Key contract nuances every employer should understand* Practical insights for anyone dealing with group benefitsThis series was a blast to record and is packed with value for employers, HR pros, and benefits decision-makers. If you missed Part 1, go check it out—and don’t miss this episode if you want to take your self-funding knowledge to the next level.HIT LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-h-i-t-podcast/about/HIT IG: https://www.instagram.com/the_hitpodcast/HIT Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3bZ4GyZEm8Acmo60BetLHm?si=7f59f1b218b14ef6&nd=1&dlsi=cba58f30269a4c34HIT iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-h-i-t-podcast/id1685677680?i=1000611317315About the Show:The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.#TheHITPodcast #SelfFunding #StopLoss #CaptiveInsurance #GroupBenefits #SpencerSmith #Healthcare #HRLeadership #EmployerBenefits

We’ve got Spencer Smith in the house—and if you know anything about self-funded employer healthcare, you know this guy is the name to listen to. Spencer is the host of “Self Funding with Spencer” and one of the clearest voices in the country at breaking down this complex topic into language everyone can understand.In this 3-part series, we kick things off by covering:* What self-insurance really is (and isn’t)* Why Stop-Loss is the most important piece of the puzzle* Key considerations for companies exploring or currently using self-fundingThis is the stuff every employer, HR leader, and benefits decision-maker needs to know—straight from the Podfather of Self-Funding himself.About the Show:The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

One of the many reasons a skilled, independent actuary is crucial to your health plan strategy: setting the right individual stop-loss limit.Do you just go with what you did last year? Follow “best practices” blindly? Take whatever a vendor recommends? In this episode, we break down:* How to approach stop-loss decisions strategically* Why good data is your best friend * Common mistakes employers make when self-funding* How actuaries help you budget accurately & protect your planI was thrilled to have Nick Allen, career actuary and Founder/CEO of Blue Raven, back in the studio for this second half of our 2-part series on why actuaries matter so much in the health plan ecosystem.If you missed Part 1, go back and catch it—then dive into this powerful conclusion!About the Show:The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

In any version of self-funding, you’ll need to know your premium equivalent rates—what to budget for, what to deduct from employees, and how to keep your health plan sustainable. That’s where a skilled, independent actuary comes in.To unpack this crucial role, I’m joined by my friend and insurance expert Nick Allen, a career actuary and the Founder/CEO of Blue Raven. Together, we kick off a 2-part series that dives into:* The value actuaries bring to employers & HR teams* How premium equivalent rates are calculated * Why independence matters in actuarial work* How actuaries fit into the larger ecosystem of health plansThis series will give you the clarity and confidence to make smarter, data-driven decisions about your benefits. Don’t miss it!About the Show:The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.

What happens if I.C.E. shows up at your workplace? Whether you’re running a private business or a public-facing company like a restaurant, it’s critical to know your responsibilities, your rights, and your company’s official policy.I sat down with Matthew Meltzer, Immigration Attorney and Co-Founder/Partner at Meltzer Hellrung, for an essential conversation on what every employer needs to know about immigration enforcement, deportations, and I-9 compliance in today’s environment.In this episode, we cover:* What to do if I.C.E. shows up at your business* How to prepare and communicate a company policy* Who should (and shouldn’t) speak with immigration officers* Updates on I-9s, hiring best practices, and compliance* Why every employer needs to “put on their employer hat” when it comes to immigration issuesPolitics aside, this is about being prepared, protecting your people, and having the right systems in place.#TheHITPodcast #Immigration #ICE #EmployerCompliance #MatthewMeltzer #BusinessImmigration #I9Compliance #HRLeadership

No Trumps were hurt in the making of this episode

Where else are you going to get PBM lore? After 3 bite-sized episodes with John C. Tackman, Director of Strategic Partnerships at MedOne, we’ve reached the big conclusion of our PBM mini-series!In Part 1, we broke down what a Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) actually is.In Part 2, we dove into the fascinating world of formularies.Now, in Part 3, we tackle the ALL-IMPORTANT conversation on rebates—what they are, how they work, and the impact they have on employers, employees, and the entire benefits ecosystem.With 15+ years in the pharmacy space, John brings a wealth of knowledge—and we cover:* The truth about rebates & transparency* How PBMs differ (and why it matters)* What employers don’t know they don’t know * The future of pharmacy benefitsIf you’ve ever felt PBMs were opaque or confusing, this series will clear it up—and give you the tools to ask the right questions.

Part 2 of our 3-part mini-series is here! Last time, we broke down what a PBM (Pharmacy Benefit Manager) actually is—now we’re diving into a fascinating conversation about formularies and why they matter so much.I’m joined in-studio by John Tackman, Director of Strategic Partnerships at MedOne, who brings over 15 years of pharmacy experience to the table.In this episode, we cover:* What a formulary is and how it’s built* Why formularies differ from one PBM to another* The role formularies play in cost control & access* The questions you didn’t know you should be asking about your PBMIf you’ve ever wondered how this often-opaque part of the health insurance puzzle works, this series will give you the clarity you’ve been looking for.About the Show:The H.I.T. Podcast (Powered by Montage Insurance Solutions): A thought leader in the space, curating the top news and information to deliver a brief, high impact overview designed specifically for the Human Resources professional, business person, and company executive.