On this week’s Empowering Plans Podcast, Attorneys Jen McCormick and Nick Bonds talk through a federal district court case out of Massachusetts that has put a preliminary pause on vaccine recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) – and why the case has broader potential implications than it may initially appear. They break down what happened, why the court intervened, and what this means for self-funded health plans’ obligations under the ACA’s preventive care mandate.

On this episode of the Empowering Plans podcast, attorney Ron Peck engages in a one-on-one discussion with YOU, regarding two of the “hottest” topics being discussed on the road. Don’t be left out; tune in now!

On today’s episode of the Empowering Plans podcast, attorneys Jon Jablon and Kendall Jackson discuss the current state of the No Surprises Act (NSA) and the Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process. From difficulties managing dispute volume to current litigation and legislative proposals, this episode provides key insight into changes to and challenges with the IDR process.

In this installment of The Phia Group’s “Empowering Plans” podcast, attorneys Bryan Dunton and Cindy Merrell discuss what happens when laws evolve faster than contracts, and how many compliance failures live in old documents. This episode breaks down how legacy contract language creates modern risk under HIPAA Part 2 and emerging PBM transparency reforms, particularly where downstream data sharing and compensation disclosures are involved. Brokers, TPAs, and plan fiduciaries will want to tune in and find out how these changes will impact their groups.

In this episode of the Empowering Plans podcast, attorneys Brady Bizarro and Brian O’Hara share the latest information TPAs and employer plan sponsors need to know about the No Surprises Act. The discussion focuses on recent federal guidance, updated arbitration data, key court decisions affecting NSA enforcement, and practical takeaways for managing provider billing disputes and controlling plan exposure in 2026.

Tobacco surcharges have long been a common cost containment wellness tool for self-funded plans, but recent lawsuits are putting them under the microscope. In this episode, attorneys Kelly Dempsey and Naga Vivekanandan break down how tobacco surcharges work, why they are treated differently under federal law, and what recent court decisions mean for employers navigating wellness program risk.

In this episode, Phia Group legends – CLO Ron Peck and EVP Jen McCormick – dive deep into waters rarely discussed. They contemplate how the rising costs of healthcare impact employers and their employees in areas outside of healthcare – from hiring to counting steps. Join them as they share insight into this, and how to get employees and their families to embrace healthcare literacy, and positively impact aspects of their lives beyond “just healthcare.”

This week on the Empowering Plans podcast, attorneys Corey Crigger and Nick Bonds dig into the growing movement to use psychedelics in treating mental health and substance use disorders. As states ramp up research and regulation, they unpack what’s driving this shift — and what health plans should watch for in a changing compliance landscape.