1 00:00:02,240 --> 00:00:05,059 This is where health insurance leadership comes together. 2 00:00:05,279 --> 00:00:08,960 Becker's fourth annual spring payer issues roundtable brings 3 00:00:08,960 --> 00:00:12,259 together over 400 payer and health plan executives 4 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:16,524 and more than 100 speakers to Chicago April. 5 00:00:16,904 --> 00:00:19,785 This year's event includes keynote conversations with the 6 00:00:19,785 --> 00:00:23,064 industry's top leaders and former president George W. 7 00:00:23,064 --> 00:00:25,704 Bush. For the full agenda and event details, 8 00:00:25,704 --> 00:00:27,785 visit beckershospitalreview.com 9 00:00:27,785 --> 00:00:29,224 and click on the events tab in the 10 00:00:29,224 --> 00:00:31,519 upper right. We're looking forward to hosting you 11 00:00:31,519 --> 00:00:32,659 here in Chicago. 12 00:00:34,079 --> 00:00:36,399 Hello, everyone. This is Jacob Emerson with the 13 00:00:36,399 --> 00:00:39,600 Becker's Payer Issues podcast. Thrilled today to be 14 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:42,100 joined by Nick Gates, who is the president 15 00:00:42,239 --> 00:00:44,615 of Priority Health. Nick, thanks so much for 16 00:00:44,615 --> 00:00:46,054 taking the time to be with me on 17 00:00:46,054 --> 00:00:48,454 the podcast today. Well, first of all, thank 18 00:00:48,454 --> 00:00:50,054 you for having me, Jacob, and thank you 19 00:00:50,054 --> 00:00:51,755 for those who are listening today. 20 00:00:52,454 --> 00:00:54,295 As you mentioned, I'm Nick Gates, president of 21 00:00:54,295 --> 00:00:56,649 Priority Health. Just gonna be a a little 22 00:00:56,649 --> 00:00:58,090 bit of a background on Priority Health. We 23 00:00:58,090 --> 00:00:59,929 serve 1,400,000 24 00:00:59,929 --> 00:01:02,429 members. We're across four states in the Midwest. 25 00:01:02,810 --> 00:01:04,590 So that includes Michigan, Indiana, 26 00:01:05,049 --> 00:01:06,109 Ohio, and Wisconsin. 27 00:01:06,729 --> 00:01:08,775 We are the third largest provider sponsored health 28 00:01:08,775 --> 00:01:10,935 plan in the nation and the integrated health 29 00:01:10,935 --> 00:01:12,854 plan of Coral Health. And Coral Health happens 30 00:01:12,854 --> 00:01:15,515 to be the largest Michigan based health system. 31 00:01:16,134 --> 00:01:17,494 So just to give you a little bit 32 00:01:17,494 --> 00:01:20,055 of background of my career, I started in 33 00:01:20,055 --> 00:01:22,155 public accounting at Ernst and Young in Detroit. 34 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:24,120 And I really always look at this as 35 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:26,439 a great opportunity me for me personally to 36 00:01:26,439 --> 00:01:28,380 learn about different businesses, industries, 37 00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:30,780 and really gives me an opportunity to lead, 38 00:01:31,079 --> 00:01:32,600 teams early in my career. So there's my 39 00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:35,079 plug for public accounting for those, who are 40 00:01:35,079 --> 00:01:36,920 interested in a in a great career to 41 00:01:36,920 --> 00:01:38,234 start out with. But while it was a 42 00:01:38,234 --> 00:01:40,394 great start, I really wanted to find something 43 00:01:40,394 --> 00:01:41,694 that I was more connected 44 00:01:42,155 --> 00:01:44,394 with, connected to a community. And there happened 45 00:01:44,394 --> 00:01:46,414 to be an opportunity to join Priority Health, 46 00:01:46,954 --> 00:01:49,034 which I was really excited about excited about 47 00:01:49,034 --> 00:01:51,274 joining a healthcare organization, but I will admit 48 00:01:51,274 --> 00:01:53,054 I knew very little about the industry 49 00:01:53,620 --> 00:01:55,619 other than my experiences as a member and 50 00:01:55,619 --> 00:01:58,420 a patient. So what I learned pretty quickly 51 00:01:58,420 --> 00:02:00,920 is how complex this industry is. 52 00:02:01,379 --> 00:02:03,140 And I say is because it still is, 53 00:02:03,140 --> 00:02:04,819 it's not a past tense, it is still 54 00:02:04,819 --> 00:02:05,640 very complex. 55 00:02:06,584 --> 00:02:08,584 But I was very inspired with how passionate 56 00:02:08,584 --> 00:02:10,504 our teams were about the members, about the 57 00:02:10,504 --> 00:02:11,004 community. 58 00:02:11,465 --> 00:02:13,724 There was a lot of conversation around affordability 59 00:02:14,185 --> 00:02:14,685 experience, 60 00:02:15,145 --> 00:02:17,145 doing what is right for the member. Really, 61 00:02:17,145 --> 00:02:18,925 that was the culture and those values, 62 00:02:19,465 --> 00:02:21,360 that I looked at and I I observed 63 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:22,419 they were established 64 00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:24,800 and they were really lived by the leadership 65 00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:25,300 team. 66 00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:27,680 My experience as a priority health way, I 67 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:30,419 started through the finance side. I helped, guide 68 00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:32,020 big moves, various acquisitions, 69 00:02:32,879 --> 00:02:34,800 help to expand our footprint in Michigan and 70 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:35,700 throughout the Midwest. 71 00:02:36,485 --> 00:02:38,245 I've also had a front row seat to 72 00:02:38,245 --> 00:02:40,085 some of the major shifts in our industry, 73 00:02:40,085 --> 00:02:41,525 going all the way back to the Medicare 74 00:02:41,525 --> 00:02:42,025 modernization, 75 00:02:42,805 --> 00:02:44,344 our launch of Medicare Advantage, 76 00:02:44,724 --> 00:02:45,784 of course, the introduction 77 00:02:46,085 --> 00:02:48,405 of the Affordable Care Act, and then more 78 00:02:48,405 --> 00:02:50,104 recently, the COVID era, 79 00:02:50,889 --> 00:02:52,650 with all the various regulations and, 80 00:02:53,050 --> 00:02:54,909 even working through the wind down 81 00:02:55,210 --> 00:02:56,990 of of, the Medicaid redetermination. 82 00:02:57,290 --> 00:02:59,050 So a lot of challenges that we've been 83 00:02:59,050 --> 00:03:01,069 through. And what I'd say is those experiences 84 00:03:01,129 --> 00:03:02,750 have taught me how to balance discipline 85 00:03:03,050 --> 00:03:03,790 with innovation, 86 00:03:04,409 --> 00:03:06,534 really balancing the two of those. And today, 87 00:03:06,534 --> 00:03:07,974 what I'm excited about is I get to 88 00:03:07,974 --> 00:03:08,875 bring that perspective 89 00:03:09,335 --> 00:03:11,435 to leading a plan that's focused on affordability, 90 00:03:12,055 --> 00:03:12,555 quality, 91 00:03:12,855 --> 00:03:14,715 and a better experience for our members. 92 00:03:15,335 --> 00:03:17,175 Absolutely. Well, I appreciate you getting this started, 93 00:03:17,175 --> 00:03:18,980 Nick, by talking a little bit about your 94 00:03:18,980 --> 00:03:21,460 career before Priority Health and then how you've 95 00:03:21,460 --> 00:03:24,020 evolved within the company over these last two 96 00:03:24,020 --> 00:03:24,520 decades, 97 00:03:24,900 --> 00:03:26,599 that you've been with Priority. 98 00:03:27,139 --> 00:03:29,319 So you you had served as interim president 99 00:03:29,460 --> 00:03:31,620 since May. 100 00:03:31,939 --> 00:03:33,800 You were named permanent president, 101 00:03:34,594 --> 00:03:36,294 late in 2025. 102 00:03:36,514 --> 00:03:37,014 So 103 00:03:37,794 --> 00:03:40,194 you mentioned you're the third largest provider sponsored 104 00:03:40,194 --> 00:03:41,875 health plan in the country. It's a lot 105 00:03:41,875 --> 00:03:42,534 of responsibility, 106 00:03:42,835 --> 00:03:45,014 as you know. It's a very complicated business, 107 00:03:45,235 --> 00:03:47,610 as you mentioned. So talk to us about 108 00:03:47,610 --> 00:03:50,889 what ultimately inspired you both personally and and 109 00:03:50,889 --> 00:03:51,389 professionally 110 00:03:51,849 --> 00:03:54,269 to take on this this new position. 111 00:03:54,810 --> 00:03:55,310 Yeah. 112 00:03:55,689 --> 00:03:57,289 So and and I touched on a little 113 00:03:57,289 --> 00:03:58,989 bit from a personal standpoint, 114 00:03:59,449 --> 00:04:01,530 inspiration really that it it ties to our 115 00:04:01,530 --> 00:04:02,030 mission, 116 00:04:02,344 --> 00:04:04,764 improve health, instill humanity, and inspire hope. 117 00:04:05,384 --> 00:04:07,784 That's been consistent in terms of our focus 118 00:04:07,784 --> 00:04:09,724 on the member, our focus on the communities 119 00:04:10,025 --> 00:04:11,944 since I've been here. So really, I've I've 120 00:04:11,944 --> 00:04:13,625 embraced the organization is why I've been here 121 00:04:13,625 --> 00:04:14,310 this long. 122 00:04:15,110 --> 00:04:16,870 More than twenty years, as you mentioned. And 123 00:04:16,870 --> 00:04:18,310 during that time, I've had a chance to 124 00:04:18,310 --> 00:04:19,910 watch our teams show up for our members 125 00:04:19,910 --> 00:04:20,730 with empathy, 126 00:04:21,269 --> 00:04:23,910 rigor, and a relentless focus on affordability and 127 00:04:23,910 --> 00:04:24,410 excellence. 128 00:04:25,350 --> 00:04:26,949 And so really what inspired me to take 129 00:04:26,949 --> 00:04:28,790 on this role was the opportunity to build 130 00:04:28,790 --> 00:04:29,610 on this culture 131 00:04:30,004 --> 00:04:32,724 and really make a meaningful impact and meaningful 132 00:04:32,724 --> 00:04:34,644 difference during a time, what I would call 133 00:04:34,644 --> 00:04:36,104 of significant transformation. 134 00:04:36,884 --> 00:04:38,724 I've been part of this transformation, and so 135 00:04:38,724 --> 00:04:41,384 I felt it was something that could really 136 00:04:41,604 --> 00:04:42,425 provide stability 137 00:04:42,884 --> 00:04:44,245 if I had the opportunity to step in 138 00:04:44,245 --> 00:04:45,629 and continue to lead this team. 139 00:04:46,189 --> 00:04:48,029 I look at Priority Health as some as 140 00:04:48,029 --> 00:04:49,330 an organization's incredibly 141 00:04:49,709 --> 00:04:51,649 strong. We're value driven. 142 00:04:52,350 --> 00:04:54,670 Like many organizations too, we're going through that 143 00:04:54,670 --> 00:04:56,129 very significant change, 144 00:04:56,509 --> 00:04:57,330 new technology, 145 00:04:58,110 --> 00:05:00,430 all the regulatory landscape that we're dealing with. 146 00:05:00,805 --> 00:05:02,084 So again, I felt like I could step 147 00:05:02,084 --> 00:05:04,324 in and provide that stability and clarity, and 148 00:05:04,324 --> 00:05:06,824 really keep the momentum moving forward. Professionally, 149 00:05:07,764 --> 00:05:09,125 I saw this as a chance to further 150 00:05:09,125 --> 00:05:11,444 lean into shaping the strategic direction of our 151 00:05:11,444 --> 00:05:14,100 organization. And so as I mentioned previously, I've 152 00:05:14,100 --> 00:05:15,480 been part of several acquisitions, 153 00:05:16,019 --> 00:05:18,040 but I've also been part of financial transformations. 154 00:05:18,339 --> 00:05:20,680 I've been part of system system wide initiatives. 155 00:05:21,379 --> 00:05:22,819 But in this role, I can help ensure 156 00:05:22,819 --> 00:05:24,439 that our strategy, our culture, 157 00:05:25,004 --> 00:05:27,564 ensure our execution stays aligned with what matters 158 00:05:27,564 --> 00:05:29,504 the most and that's serving our members 159 00:05:29,805 --> 00:05:31,645 and strengthening the communities that we live and 160 00:05:31,645 --> 00:05:33,805 work in. I also see as an opportunity 161 00:05:33,805 --> 00:05:35,405 to be an advocate. So being, 162 00:05:35,884 --> 00:05:37,965 in the state of Michigan, we're now expanding 163 00:05:37,965 --> 00:05:39,540 others. We wanna be 164 00:05:39,840 --> 00:05:41,840 represented and heard at the state and federal 165 00:05:41,840 --> 00:05:42,340 level. 166 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:44,580 We wanna have the industry partnerships. 167 00:05:45,199 --> 00:05:47,199 We wanna make sure that our decisions impact 168 00:05:47,199 --> 00:05:47,699 affordability, 169 00:05:48,319 --> 00:05:49,379 access, and equity. 170 00:05:49,759 --> 00:05:51,199 And so it's something that I was really 171 00:05:51,199 --> 00:05:53,264 passionate about and looking forward to leading. 172 00:05:53,824 --> 00:05:55,185 What I'd say in terms of the common 173 00:05:55,185 --> 00:05:57,925 thread between personal professional, it really is trust. 174 00:05:58,145 --> 00:05:59,985 It's trust in our team. It's trust in 175 00:05:59,985 --> 00:06:02,145 our mission and then the strategy we're executing 176 00:06:02,145 --> 00:06:04,064 together. So I'm really excited to be able 177 00:06:04,064 --> 00:06:05,425 to step in as the next leader of 178 00:06:05,425 --> 00:06:06,324 the health plan. 179 00:06:07,139 --> 00:06:08,579 Absolutely. And and, you know, Nick, I think 180 00:06:08,579 --> 00:06:09,319 what's interesting, 181 00:06:10,100 --> 00:06:12,660 even from my perspective, talking to leaders like 182 00:06:12,660 --> 00:06:14,199 yourself all over the country, 183 00:06:14,740 --> 00:06:17,240 at the helm of these insurance companies, 184 00:06:17,699 --> 00:06:19,779 everyone comes from a lot of different backgrounds 185 00:06:19,779 --> 00:06:20,925 often. And whether it's, 186 00:06:21,564 --> 00:06:24,125 directly outside the insurance industry when they step 187 00:06:24,125 --> 00:06:25,425 into the top role. 188 00:06:26,365 --> 00:06:28,925 There's physicians leading insurance companies all over the 189 00:06:28,925 --> 00:06:31,404 country. There's leaders like yourself that have been 190 00:06:31,404 --> 00:06:33,805 been within and grown within the company for 191 00:06:33,805 --> 00:06:34,284 a long time. 192 00:06:35,519 --> 00:06:36,419 So I wonder, 193 00:06:37,120 --> 00:06:38,740 given what we see across the industry, 194 00:06:39,199 --> 00:06:42,879 what inspires your leadership style? What do your 195 00:06:42,879 --> 00:06:43,379 employees, 196 00:06:44,319 --> 00:06:46,319 what do they know to expect from you, 197 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:47,779 in their day to day? 198 00:06:48,479 --> 00:06:50,500 And given all the change that you mentioned, 199 00:06:50,935 --> 00:06:52,694 a a lot of change going on in 200 00:06:52,694 --> 00:06:53,754 this industry right now, 201 00:06:54,134 --> 00:06:56,375 what attributes do you think today's leaders need 202 00:06:56,375 --> 00:06:58,455 to be successful in this industry? So two 203 00:06:58,455 --> 00:07:00,935 pronged question there. What inspires your leadership style, 204 00:07:00,935 --> 00:07:02,774 and and what do today's leaders need to 205 00:07:02,774 --> 00:07:03,435 be successful 206 00:07:03,735 --> 00:07:05,834 within this industry? Sure. It's a great question. 207 00:07:05,959 --> 00:07:07,399 And I'll start with I think I think 208 00:07:07,399 --> 00:07:08,779 good leaders remain authentic, 209 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:11,420 but continue to learn. We are all different, 210 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:13,339 but we can learn from our experiences. 211 00:07:13,720 --> 00:07:16,199 And I I prefer and really appreciate learning 212 00:07:16,199 --> 00:07:18,520 from great leaders over the years. We I've 213 00:07:18,520 --> 00:07:20,459 observed some incredible attributes, 214 00:07:20,834 --> 00:07:23,314 credible leaders over my my lifetime, and so 215 00:07:23,314 --> 00:07:24,834 I think that's a a place where we 216 00:07:24,834 --> 00:07:26,915 can learn. I'm not gonna bore you on 217 00:07:26,915 --> 00:07:28,514 the accounting side. I'm not gonna bore you 218 00:07:28,514 --> 00:07:30,435 on that background, but, I'm gonna give you 219 00:07:30,435 --> 00:07:31,714 a little bit more of a story to 220 00:07:31,714 --> 00:07:33,610 to to give you a little bit of 221 00:07:33,610 --> 00:07:35,969 a flavor of of my my leadership style. 222 00:07:35,969 --> 00:07:36,629 So for 223 00:07:37,009 --> 00:07:39,329 me, my leadership style was shaped long before 224 00:07:39,329 --> 00:07:40,870 I ever held a leadership role, 225 00:07:41,250 --> 00:07:43,089 and that really gets into my inspiration. I'm 226 00:07:43,089 --> 00:07:44,469 gonna touch on my grandfather. 227 00:07:45,024 --> 00:07:47,345 My grandfather was a farmer. He was a 228 00:07:47,345 --> 00:07:49,185 farmer in rural Mid Michigan. If you're familiar 229 00:07:49,185 --> 00:07:51,444 with the area, it's primarily corn and soybeans. 230 00:07:52,704 --> 00:07:54,225 And beyond his work on the farm, he 231 00:07:54,225 --> 00:07:55,925 was deeply committed to his community. 232 00:07:56,305 --> 00:07:57,504 He was the chair of the board of 233 00:07:57,504 --> 00:07:59,105 the local bank. He was a big supporter 234 00:07:59,105 --> 00:08:01,339 of a local senior center, and he spent 235 00:08:01,339 --> 00:08:03,100 his time serving his church, and he could 236 00:08:03,100 --> 00:08:04,779 keep an eye out for his neighbors as 237 00:08:04,779 --> 00:08:06,699 well. And what I the story I like 238 00:08:06,699 --> 00:08:09,580 to tell is a very difficult time, and 239 00:08:09,580 --> 00:08:10,860 one of a family friend's, 240 00:08:11,420 --> 00:08:13,259 life was he was laid off from a 241 00:08:13,259 --> 00:08:15,500 local factory and really struggling to make ends 242 00:08:15,500 --> 00:08:15,855 meet. 243 00:08:16,335 --> 00:08:18,654 And and I watched my grandfather hire him. 244 00:08:18,654 --> 00:08:20,335 He hired him to work alongside him on 245 00:08:20,335 --> 00:08:22,335 the farm. And it was not because he 246 00:08:22,335 --> 00:08:24,014 needed the extra labor, but he he he 247 00:08:24,014 --> 00:08:25,615 was part of the community and this was 248 00:08:25,615 --> 00:08:27,154 a member that needed his help. 249 00:08:27,535 --> 00:08:29,375 So I gave this individual steady work until 250 00:08:29,375 --> 00:08:30,574 he was able to get back on his 251 00:08:30,574 --> 00:08:32,570 feet. And from my perspective, that had a 252 00:08:32,570 --> 00:08:34,029 lasting impression on me. 253 00:08:34,570 --> 00:08:37,129 For him leadership, it wasn't about position or 254 00:08:37,129 --> 00:08:39,129 authority. It was really about lifting those other 255 00:08:39,129 --> 00:08:41,610 others up. And he jumped in when somebody 256 00:08:41,610 --> 00:08:43,929 needed help, and it really was an opportunity 257 00:08:43,929 --> 00:08:44,830 to create a pathway, 258 00:08:45,370 --> 00:08:46,519 for this individual. And 259 00:08:47,024 --> 00:08:48,865 And so I always look at, he looked 260 00:08:48,865 --> 00:08:51,504 out for people, he treated them fairly and 261 00:08:51,504 --> 00:08:53,024 did what was best. And what that did 262 00:08:53,024 --> 00:08:55,024 is it built a community of trust. And 263 00:08:55,024 --> 00:08:56,565 I'll use that word trust, 264 00:08:56,945 --> 00:08:58,705 throughout because I think it's really important to 265 00:08:58,705 --> 00:08:59,309 have trust. 266 00:09:00,190 --> 00:09:01,629 And as I mentioned, they had a lasting 267 00:09:01,629 --> 00:09:03,149 impression on me. It really shaped how I 268 00:09:03,149 --> 00:09:04,610 think about leadership today. 269 00:09:05,470 --> 00:09:07,389 I think it's about supporting your team members 270 00:09:07,389 --> 00:09:08,210 with a purpose 271 00:09:08,590 --> 00:09:10,029 and this really, again, I'm gonna use the 272 00:09:10,029 --> 00:09:11,710 word again, trust. It builds trust. And when 273 00:09:11,710 --> 00:09:13,309 you have that trust, it opens a door 274 00:09:13,309 --> 00:09:13,970 to collaboration, 275 00:09:14,875 --> 00:09:15,375 accountability, 276 00:09:15,995 --> 00:09:18,154 and speaking up in a fast paced environment. 277 00:09:18,154 --> 00:09:20,495 That's my biggest concern that people are fearful. 278 00:09:20,954 --> 00:09:23,355 Psychological safety, they're concerned to speak up. We 279 00:09:23,355 --> 00:09:25,034 need to be able to speak up, listen, 280 00:09:25,034 --> 00:09:25,534 learn, 281 00:09:26,154 --> 00:09:27,754 say, yes. Let's move that way. No. Let's 282 00:09:27,754 --> 00:09:28,714 not move that way, but we need to 283 00:09:28,714 --> 00:09:30,389 be comfortable speaking up and talking. And that 284 00:09:30,389 --> 00:09:31,610 goes from 285 00:09:32,069 --> 00:09:33,509 right on the front line all the way 286 00:09:33,509 --> 00:09:35,909 up to the to the CEO and president 287 00:09:35,909 --> 00:09:36,569 of the company. 288 00:09:37,190 --> 00:09:39,750 What it also does, it helps build, trusting 289 00:09:39,750 --> 00:09:41,429 relationships with our customers. So you have the 290 00:09:41,429 --> 00:09:42,730 trust in your team members 291 00:09:43,174 --> 00:09:45,334 that will resonate and ultimately build trust in 292 00:09:45,334 --> 00:09:45,995 our customers. 293 00:09:46,774 --> 00:09:48,235 As far as your second part, 294 00:09:48,615 --> 00:09:50,694 as for what leaders need today, I look 295 00:09:50,694 --> 00:09:52,794 at building again, building a great culture, 296 00:09:53,334 --> 00:09:54,074 really important, 297 00:09:54,534 --> 00:09:56,294 and that gets to the trust factor that 298 00:09:56,294 --> 00:09:57,115 I was discussing. 299 00:09:57,559 --> 00:09:59,419 We also need to make sure we're adaptable, 300 00:09:59,720 --> 00:10:02,279 have the ability to may remain grounded, and 301 00:10:02,279 --> 00:10:03,419 a clear mission. 302 00:10:04,120 --> 00:10:06,039 Health care and coverage, as many of you 303 00:10:06,039 --> 00:10:08,200 in this who are listening know, moves very 304 00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:10,200 fast. So if you can build trust, stay 305 00:10:10,200 --> 00:10:12,524 flexible, keep people at the center, I think 306 00:10:12,524 --> 00:10:14,365 as a leader, you'll find those decisions come 307 00:10:14,365 --> 00:10:15,345 much more naturally. 308 00:10:16,925 --> 00:10:19,085 Wow. Well, I really appreciate you sharing that 309 00:10:19,085 --> 00:10:21,345 story with us, Nick, in terms of why, 310 00:10:21,725 --> 00:10:23,884 the purpose of of community and trust is 311 00:10:23,884 --> 00:10:25,565 so important to you going all the way 312 00:10:25,565 --> 00:10:28,480 back to your grandfather and now trickling down 313 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:31,839 to the millions of members, that your company 314 00:10:31,839 --> 00:10:33,679 serves. It's it's really impactful, so I I 315 00:10:33,679 --> 00:10:36,320 appreciate that. And I wanna also hook on 316 00:10:36,320 --> 00:10:37,839 to the to the second part of what 317 00:10:37,839 --> 00:10:39,934 you were saying in terms of just the 318 00:10:39,934 --> 00:10:42,415 the rapidly evolving nature of this industry right 319 00:10:42,415 --> 00:10:43,475 now being adaptable, 320 00:10:44,815 --> 00:10:46,815 as a as a company operating in this 321 00:10:46,815 --> 00:10:47,315 space. 322 00:10:48,415 --> 00:10:50,815 I wanted to switch gears and talk a 323 00:10:50,815 --> 00:10:52,254 little bit about some of the things that 324 00:10:52,254 --> 00:10:53,809 went on under your 325 00:10:54,190 --> 00:10:56,190 leadership as you went from interim president to 326 00:10:56,190 --> 00:10:57,009 to permanent 327 00:10:57,470 --> 00:10:57,970 president. 328 00:10:58,910 --> 00:11:02,210 You had advanced a company wide digital transformation 329 00:11:02,429 --> 00:11:02,929 effort 330 00:11:03,309 --> 00:11:05,710 last year, and then you also guided plans 331 00:11:05,710 --> 00:11:09,325 to expand priorities regional footprint to four states 332 00:11:09,325 --> 00:11:11,964 that came official this year, and you're now 333 00:11:11,964 --> 00:11:14,924 operating in Wisconsin. So talk to us about 334 00:11:14,924 --> 00:11:17,644 how these efforts align with overall goals for 335 00:11:17,644 --> 00:11:19,105 the company moving forward. 336 00:11:20,110 --> 00:11:22,110 Thanks, Jacob. And I'll I'll clarify and just 337 00:11:22,110 --> 00:11:24,190 emphasize that these initiatives, they didn't just start 338 00:11:24,190 --> 00:11:26,269 with me. Our leadership team has been working 339 00:11:26,269 --> 00:11:27,790 on these for a year. It really, really 340 00:11:27,790 --> 00:11:29,230 is part of our long term vision at 341 00:11:29,230 --> 00:11:30,129 Priority Health. 342 00:11:30,509 --> 00:11:32,370 And I'll I'll look at the digital transformation 343 00:11:32,509 --> 00:11:33,970 and regional expansion efforts. 344 00:11:34,394 --> 00:11:36,075 They really are a result of years of 345 00:11:36,075 --> 00:11:38,415 planning and collaboration. These these efforts, 346 00:11:38,955 --> 00:11:40,475 what we they really will help move us 347 00:11:40,475 --> 00:11:41,995 forward. They take a lot of planning and 348 00:11:41,995 --> 00:11:44,235 collaboration. So for me as the interim and 349 00:11:44,235 --> 00:11:46,875 now, stepping into the president, it's really to 350 00:11:46,875 --> 00:11:48,254 keep this momentum going. 351 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:50,360 I wanna make sure we're preparing our teams 352 00:11:50,360 --> 00:11:52,039 for change and we really have to stay 353 00:11:52,039 --> 00:11:54,059 aligned with those strategic priorities. 354 00:11:54,839 --> 00:11:56,039 So when I think about both of the 355 00:11:56,039 --> 00:11:58,519 efforts, they do, they aligns very well with 356 00:11:58,519 --> 00:12:00,360 our overall goals and it really comes back 357 00:12:00,360 --> 00:12:01,659 to something very basic. 358 00:12:02,120 --> 00:12:03,980 And it's making priority health a simpler, 359 00:12:04,415 --> 00:12:06,975 more unified organization that can move quickly. I 360 00:12:06,975 --> 00:12:08,115 talked about that agility, 361 00:12:08,654 --> 00:12:10,355 allows us to make smart decisions, 362 00:12:10,815 --> 00:12:13,215 address affordability, which is something we've been talking 363 00:12:13,215 --> 00:12:15,375 about since they had started here and years 364 00:12:15,375 --> 00:12:17,740 before that, and and we'll continue on in 365 00:12:17,740 --> 00:12:18,940 the coming years. And then we need to 366 00:12:18,940 --> 00:12:20,700 make sure we're staying centered on the people 367 00:12:20,700 --> 00:12:22,700 we serve, really the the mission of why 368 00:12:22,700 --> 00:12:24,700 we're here. And that's the kind of foundation 369 00:12:24,700 --> 00:12:26,460 I wanna keep building on. When I think 370 00:12:26,460 --> 00:12:28,860 about the digital side, our move to Epic. 371 00:12:28,860 --> 00:12:30,620 So we're moving to Epic and it focuses 372 00:12:30,620 --> 00:12:32,264 on simplifying how we work. 373 00:12:32,904 --> 00:12:34,904 We're creating a better experience for both our 374 00:12:34,904 --> 00:12:36,684 team members and our customers. 375 00:12:37,144 --> 00:12:39,804 We've been updating our systems, modernizing workflows 376 00:12:40,264 --> 00:12:42,184 because we need an operating model that helps 377 00:12:42,184 --> 00:12:44,524 us move faster, again, back to the agility, 378 00:12:44,825 --> 00:12:46,985 and allows us to continue to simplify the 379 00:12:46,985 --> 00:12:47,804 member experience 380 00:12:48,620 --> 00:12:50,299 and to better connect our members with their 381 00:12:50,299 --> 00:12:52,299 provider, and that's something that we're really focused 382 00:12:52,299 --> 00:12:53,899 on. And then we need to make sure 383 00:12:53,899 --> 00:12:55,600 that at the end, we're improving outcomes 384 00:12:55,980 --> 00:12:57,980 and we're able to stay competitive because this 385 00:12:57,980 --> 00:13:00,080 this industry is rapidly changing. 386 00:13:01,555 --> 00:13:03,875 And then I look at the the, the 387 00:13:03,875 --> 00:13:05,955 expansion, and you touched on that as well. 388 00:13:06,115 --> 00:13:07,715 So, yeah, it is true. We're expanding our 389 00:13:07,715 --> 00:13:09,875 footprint. We're very excited to be part of, 390 00:13:10,195 --> 00:13:12,675 of four states, and we're integrating plans. We're 391 00:13:12,675 --> 00:13:14,855 gonna integrate plans like a group health cooperative 392 00:13:14,995 --> 00:13:15,894 of of Eau Claire 393 00:13:16,220 --> 00:13:18,779 and physician health plan of Northern Indiana. And 394 00:13:18,779 --> 00:13:20,379 what this does, it allows us to bring 395 00:13:20,379 --> 00:13:22,240 access to our high quality coverage 396 00:13:22,620 --> 00:13:23,600 to more people. 397 00:13:24,059 --> 00:13:25,980 It also positions us to serve more people 398 00:13:25,980 --> 00:13:27,980 while leveraging shared systems. So when you think 399 00:13:27,980 --> 00:13:28,480 about 400 00:13:28,784 --> 00:13:31,105 scaling this, we're gonna take multiple systems and 401 00:13:31,105 --> 00:13:32,625 put them onto one platform. So we have 402 00:13:32,625 --> 00:13:34,404 a really that unified experience. 403 00:13:34,865 --> 00:13:36,884 We're also gonna be able to tap talent 404 00:13:36,945 --> 00:13:39,745 throughout, various states, and then we're gonna have, 405 00:13:39,904 --> 00:13:41,584 what it's saying, being able to have unified 406 00:13:41,584 --> 00:13:43,044 capabilities across states. 407 00:13:43,350 --> 00:13:44,250 And those capabilities, 408 00:13:45,110 --> 00:13:46,169 I take the technology 409 00:13:46,870 --> 00:13:49,110 expansion that's gonna help us improve experience, and 410 00:13:49,110 --> 00:13:50,649 then at the end of the day, affordability 411 00:13:50,709 --> 00:13:51,529 for our members. 412 00:13:52,309 --> 00:13:54,389 When I think about moving forward, we will 413 00:13:54,389 --> 00:13:55,929 continue to build on this foundation, 414 00:13:56,789 --> 00:13:58,169 look to leverage technology, 415 00:13:58,955 --> 00:14:00,495 make care more personalized, 416 00:14:00,955 --> 00:14:02,335 and really look to expand, 417 00:14:02,715 --> 00:14:04,475 our reach so that more people can benefit 418 00:14:04,475 --> 00:14:05,774 from what we offer. 419 00:14:06,235 --> 00:14:08,394 We think we offer a really compelling product, 420 00:14:08,634 --> 00:14:11,215 and really excited to touch, you know, 1,400,000, 421 00:14:11,434 --> 00:14:13,434 looking to continue to expand that to to, 422 00:14:14,529 --> 00:14:16,549 more and more individuals and members, 423 00:14:16,929 --> 00:14:19,269 throughout now those four states that you referenced. 424 00:14:19,490 --> 00:14:20,929 And I say none of this happens in 425 00:14:20,929 --> 00:14:23,490 isolation. It is a collective effort. We have 426 00:14:23,490 --> 00:14:25,029 a really strong team here. 427 00:14:25,409 --> 00:14:27,730 We have wonderful people that we that I've 428 00:14:27,730 --> 00:14:29,264 been really blessed to work with. 429 00:14:29,825 --> 00:14:31,745 And I look at we have strong partnerships 430 00:14:31,745 --> 00:14:33,825 inside and outside the organization. This isn't just 431 00:14:33,825 --> 00:14:35,585 us. We we have some really strong partners 432 00:14:35,585 --> 00:14:36,245 as well. 433 00:14:36,545 --> 00:14:38,945 So really excited about, about the foundation we 434 00:14:38,945 --> 00:14:40,785 build and excited about the future for Priority 435 00:14:40,785 --> 00:14:41,279 Health. 436 00:14:42,320 --> 00:14:44,720 Well, clearly, a lot of growth happening and 437 00:14:44,720 --> 00:14:47,360 and on the horizon, Nick, for Priority Health. 438 00:14:47,759 --> 00:14:49,920 So before we go, what else are we 439 00:14:49,920 --> 00:14:52,639 missing? Any other final thoughts, final bits of 440 00:14:52,639 --> 00:14:54,800 advice you wanna share with all the other 441 00:14:54,800 --> 00:14:56,740 health plan leaders listening in? 442 00:14:57,355 --> 00:14:59,195 Yeah. I guess my final thought and kinda 443 00:14:59,195 --> 00:15:00,174 tie it all together, 444 00:15:00,475 --> 00:15:04,154 but, again, in a fast pacing pace, fast 445 00:15:04,154 --> 00:15:04,654 changing, 446 00:15:05,595 --> 00:15:08,075 difficult industry that we we are in, I 447 00:15:08,075 --> 00:15:08,575 just 448 00:15:09,195 --> 00:15:10,894 the advice I give is stay grounded. 449 00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:13,680 Wanna stay grounded in our mission and continue 450 00:15:13,680 --> 00:15:16,240 to trust our people. And if we can, 451 00:15:16,240 --> 00:15:17,840 you know, I think it's it it takes 452 00:15:17,840 --> 00:15:19,940 a leap sometimes, but really building that, 453 00:15:20,399 --> 00:15:22,240 that trust with our people will pay off 454 00:15:22,240 --> 00:15:22,980 over time. 455 00:15:23,705 --> 00:15:25,544 In terms of other health plan leaders, my 456 00:15:25,544 --> 00:15:27,965 advice is simple and it gets into embracing 457 00:15:28,024 --> 00:15:30,184 change without losing sight of we'll use the 458 00:15:30,184 --> 00:15:30,924 term fundamentals. 459 00:15:31,945 --> 00:15:33,085 Be data driven. 460 00:15:33,705 --> 00:15:35,865 Kind of going back to the finance background, 461 00:15:35,865 --> 00:15:37,705 I love data. So be data driven. Let's 462 00:15:37,705 --> 00:15:40,690 be transparent with each other, be transparent with 463 00:15:40,690 --> 00:15:41,350 our communities, 464 00:15:41,730 --> 00:15:43,809 and then making sure we are investing in 465 00:15:43,809 --> 00:15:45,009 our teams. And so I have to go 466 00:15:45,009 --> 00:15:45,990 back to our technology. 467 00:15:46,450 --> 00:15:48,610 That's a big part of that. We're investing 468 00:15:48,610 --> 00:15:50,450 in our teams. The expansion we're investing in 469 00:15:50,450 --> 00:15:52,544 our teams. And then I look at never 470 00:15:52,544 --> 00:15:54,865 understate the power of aligning around our clear 471 00:15:54,865 --> 00:15:57,845 strategy. So whether again, that's modernizing our technology, 472 00:15:58,064 --> 00:15:59,605 expanding it into new markets, 473 00:16:00,144 --> 00:16:02,324 or tightening our focus on outcomes and affordability, 474 00:16:03,024 --> 00:16:05,424 those are the things that help us stay 475 00:16:05,424 --> 00:16:07,044 steady in a shifting landscape. 476 00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:09,160 So to kind of wrap it up at 477 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:10,679 the end of the day, we're all here 478 00:16:10,679 --> 00:16:11,660 for the same reason. 479 00:16:12,120 --> 00:16:14,039 Our goal is to make healthcare better for 480 00:16:14,039 --> 00:16:16,519 the people and communities we serve. And if 481 00:16:16,519 --> 00:16:18,360 we keep that front and center, you'll create 482 00:16:18,360 --> 00:16:20,840 real impact. And I said real impact during 483 00:16:20,840 --> 00:16:22,139 very challenging times. 484 00:16:22,565 --> 00:16:24,644 So thank you for the opportunity, Jacob. I 485 00:16:24,644 --> 00:16:25,304 really appreciate 486 00:16:25,845 --> 00:16:28,084 it. Absolutely. Thank you, Nick, for taking the 487 00:16:28,084 --> 00:16:30,485 time to chat with us and for sharing 488 00:16:30,485 --> 00:16:33,044 your insights with our listeners. We really appreciate 489 00:16:33,044 --> 00:16:35,282 it. And to our listeners, if you'd like 490 00:16:35,282 --> 00:16:37,622 to listen to more podcasts from Becker's Healthcare, 491 00:16:37,682 --> 00:16:40,502 you can visit beckershospitalreview.com.