Join attorneys Cindy Merrell and Bryan Dunton as they take a deep dive into real-world cases involving the No Surprises Act. Cindy and Bryan break down how the Act is being applied, highlight common issues and pitfalls, and discuss what these cases mean for payors, providers, and other stakeholders navigating these billing disputes.

As a follow-up to this past January’s podcast episode on tobacco surcharges, new litigation has been filing and this time, it’s on a much larger scale. Humana is facing a class-action lawsuit, filed on March 17, 2026, alleging violations of the wellness program rules and fiduciary duties related to tobacco surcharge as part of a wellness program. Join attorneys Kelly Dempsey and Naga Vivekanandan as they compare this new suit to prior cases, and explain why this is different and what it could mean for future ligation and plans’ continuing struggles to comply with wellness program rules.

It is time again for the fastest 20 minutes in podcasting as Cindy Merrell and Corey Crigger take over the Empowering Plans podcast to preview The Kentucky Derby. Don’t worry, this podcast isn’t solely about horse racing! Cindy and Corey also discuss two big news items that affect the healthcare industry – litigation surrounding Roundup and a major article in the New York Times about the No Surprises Act. Don’t be left in the dust. Tune in to hear their insights into healthcare and horse racing prognostication!

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 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.

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!

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.

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.