In this episode, hosts Skip Lowe and Colton Storla of Community Connected Health interview Amy Wadstrom, President of Vivid Clear Rx, a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM). They discuss the challenges of traditional PBMs, including lack of transparency, spread pricing, and poor pharmacy reimbursement. Amy shares how Vivid Clear Rx, created by Hy-Vee, offers a transparent, pass-through PBM model focused on patient care and cost control. The conversation covers contract clarity, biosimilar strategies, employer education, and the importance of customer service. The hosts emphasize the value of innovative, transparent PBMs for employers of all sizes seeking better pharmacy benefit solutions.

This is Community Connected Health, the podcast where we explore how employers, healthcare innovators, and advisors are transforming the way healthcare is delivered — right in their own communities. This podcast is hosted by Skip Lowe and Colton Storla of North Risk Partners, and new episodes release on the first Monday of each month on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you find your podcasts. You can also connect with the hosts through LinkedIn or via email. If you're ready to rethink your health plan, empower your employees, and build something better — you're in the right place.

The opinions expressed within this podcast and any related content are those solely of the hosts and guests respectively and do not necessarily represent the position or opinion of North Risk Partners or any other entities.

Additionally, the information and opinions expressed on this show should be taken as such and should not be construed as medical or legal advice.

In this episode of "Community Connected Health," hosts Skip Lowe and Colton Storla discuss innovative, employer-sponsored health plans that prioritize transparency, direct primary care (DPC), and the elimination of unnecessary middlemen like PBMs and traditional carriers. Through case studies from healthcare, public sector, and manufacturing employers, they illustrate how custom plans—featuring independent TPAs, incentive networks, and DPC—lower costs, improve employee satisfaction, and enhance care quality. The hosts emphasize collaboration with local providers and community-focused solutions, demonstrating measurable savings and better outcomes for both employers and employees.

This is Community Connected Health, the podcast where we explore how employers, healthcare innovators, and advisors are transforming the way healthcare is delivered — right in their own communities. This podcast is hosted by Skip Lowe and Colton Storla of North Risk Partners, and new episodes release on the first Monday of each month on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you find your podcasts. You can also connect with the hosts through LinkedIn or via email. If you're ready to rethink your health plan, empower your employees, and build something better — you're in the right place.

The opinions expressed within this podcast and any related content are those solely of the hosts and guests respectively and do not necessarily represent the position or opinion of North Risk Partners or any other entities.

Additionally, the information and opinions expressed on this show should be taken as such and should not be construed as medical or legal advice.

In this episode, Skip Lowe and Colton Storla of North Risk Partners interview Dr. Jon Van Der Veer, DO, founder of Hy-Vee Health Exemplar Care, to discuss the benefits of direct primary care (DPC). They explore how DPC’s membership model improves patient access, transparency, and preventive care, while reducing costs and administrative burdens for employers. The conversation highlights real-world examples, the importance of strong patient-provider relationships, and the challenges of traditional insurance. The hosts share their own experience implementing DPC in employer health plans, underscoring its potential to transform healthcare delivery for businesses and employees.

This is Community Connected Health, the podcast where we explore how employers, healthcare innovators, and advisors are transforming the way healthcare is delivered — right in their own communities. This podcast is hosted by Skip Lowe and Colton Storla of North Risk Partners, and new episodes release on the first Monday of each month on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you find your podcasts. You can also connect with the hosts through LinkedIn or via email. If you're ready to rethink your health plan, empower your employees, and build something better — you're in the right place.

The opinions expressed within this podcast and any related content are those solely of the hosts and guests respectively and do not necessarily represent the position or opinion of North Risk Partners or any other entities.

Additionally, the information and opinions expressed on this show should be taken as such and should not be construed as medical or legal advice.

In the inaugural episode of "Community Connected Health," health insurance professionals Skip Lowe and Colton Storla introduce their backgrounds and discuss the challenges facing today’s healthcare system. They highlight the financial burdens on families and employers, the limitations of traditional insurance, and the growing appeal of direct primary care (DPC) models. Emphasizing collaboration among providers, employers, and patients, the hosts advocate for innovative, community-focused solutions to improve healthcare access and affordability. The episode sets the stage for future discussions with industry leaders, aiming to educate and inspire positive change in healthcare delivery.

This is Community Connected Health, the podcast where we explore how employers, healthcare innovators, and advisors are transforming the way healthcare is delivered — right in their own communities. This podcast is hosted by Skip Lowe and Colton Storla of North Risk Partners, and new episodes release on the first Monday of each month on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you find your podcasts. You can also connect with the hosts through LinkedIn or via email. If you're ready to rethink your health plan, empower your employees, and build something better — you're in the right place.

The opinions expressed within this podcast and any related content are those solely of the hosts and guests respectively and do not necessarily represent the position or opinion of North Risk Partners or any other entities.

Additionally, the information and opinions expressed on this show should be taken as such and should not be construed as medical or legal advice.

Welcome to Community Connected Health, the podcast where we explore how employers, healthcare innovators, and advisors are transforming the way healthcare is delivered — right in their own communities.

This podcast is hosted by Skip Lowe and Colton Storla of North Risk Partners. Together, they're purposeful about helping businesses take control of their healthcare spend while improving the well-being of their people.

This show is for CEOs, CFOs, and HR leaders who are tired of the status quo. We’ll bring you real stories from employers, providers, and changemakers who are reimagining healthcare. Each episode features practical insights, case studies, and conversations with leaders who are proving that better care and lower costs can go hand in hand.

New episodes release on the first Monday of each month on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you find your podcasts. You can also connect with the hosts through LinkedIn or via email.

So if you're ready to rethink your health plan, empower your employees, and build something better — you're in the right place.