Radio Advisory

Each year, Advisory Board delivers an update on the most significant trends shaping service line strategy – identifying exactly what service line and strategy leaders should prioritize in the year ahead. In this episode, host Rae Woods is joined by Advisory Board experts Lindsey Paul, Kristin Strubel, Gabriela Marmolejos, and Ellie Wiles to unpack the universal challenges specialties are facing as we head into 2026. Throughout the conversation, you’ll hear how access constraints, workforce pressures, policy changes, and innovative payment models are influencing key service lines—including oncology, cardiovascular, women’s health, and neurology. Looking for insights on a specific service line? Jump ahead using the timestamps below: 1:26 – 6:50: Lindsay Paul on oncology 6:51 – 12:14: Kristen Strubel on cardiovascular 14:08 – 22:29: Gabriela Marmolejos on women’s health 22:30 – 27:58: Ellie Wiles on neurology We’re here to help: Oncology service line outlook – 2025 Cardiovascular service line outlook – 2025 Women’s health service line outlook – 2025 Neurosciences service line outlook – 2025 Orthopedics service line outlook – 2025 Watch our member testimonials and learn about upcoming Advisory Board events Blood-based colorectal screening: A closer look for health plans A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

In this special episode of Radio Advisory, recorded at 9:30 a.m. ET on Oct. 1, 2025, host Rae Woods walks through two major healthcare policy disruptions: the federal government shutdown and the Rural Health Transformation Program. Rae explains the immediate implications for care delivery and funding as Medicare telehealth and Hospital-at-Home waivers expire and debates over ACA tax credits and Medicaid work requirements stall in Congress. She also unpacks new guidance from CMS on the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, outlining what leaders must do to apply for funding before the November 5th deadline and best position themselves to support their rural communities. We’re here to help: Healthcare Policy Updates Timeline Health policy roundup: CMS opens applications for $50B rural health fund A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

For years, health systems have approached ambulatory care as a pipeline for inpatient volumes. But today’s health care environment calls for a new mindset—one that prioritizes ambulatory capabilities designed to drive enterprise-wide success. Challenging this longstanding approach is just the first step. In this episode, host Rachel (Rae) Woods welcomes Advisory Board experts Nick Hula and Lauren Woodrow to explore why the ambulatory network of the future demands getting better before getting bigger. Smart growth isn’t just about expansion—it’s about focusing on operational efficiency, breaking clinicians’ attachment to specific sites, and leveraging partnerships to unlock the full potential of ambulatory care. We’re here to help: Ep. 238: Is your ambulatory strategy stuck in 2015? It’s time for systems to change how they prioritize and design their ambulatory strategy [Webinar] How to build the ambulatory network of the future Q&A: How Optum Financial is modernizing healthcare payment delivery [Webinar] Care variation reduction: A $100B savings opportunity A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

Health systems know they need to pull out all the stops when it comes to improving operational efficiency, given their financial climate. That doesn’t necessarily mean they need entirely new strategies — but they do need to make the most of the tried-and-true tactics. Care variation reduction (CVR) has been part of the operational excellence playbook for years. The opportunity for efficiency and cost savings through CVR is massive—about $100B nationally — but the vast majority of health systems have not been able to unlock its full potential. This week, host Abby Burns invites Advisory Board provider operations expert Isis Monteiro to break down what’s getting in the way of realizing that $100B, and how leaders can start to move the needle. We’re here to help: Ep. 239: UNC Health: The care variation reduction story you need to hear Care Variation Reduction Assessment Identify your biggest opportunities for care variation reduction 6 strategies to improve your operating margins and financial resilience [Webinar] Care variation reduction: A $100B savings opportunity Learn from the 100+ health system finance leaders who participated in Advisory Board's capital spending survey — and find out how health systems are making capital decisions today. A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

Making the most of the electronic health record (EHR) is not just a win for the CIO—it’s a non-negotiable for sustaining your business, supporting your workforce and serving your patients effectively. The EHR is a mainstay of our digital healthcare infrastructure. It’s a massive ongoing investment with the potential for enormous operational and strategic returns. But the fact is, most organizations are not reaping the kinds of returns they could be. This week, host Abby Burns invites Advisory Board digital health and AI expert Ty Aderhold and Optum Advisory Vice Presidents of Provider Technology Carol Chouinard and Jonathan Cooper to break down the missed opportunities, and why under-leveraging the EHR now matters for an AI-enabled future. We’re here to help: 6 pitfalls to avoid when planning an EHR implementation How to effectively prepare for (and implement) an EHR switch 4 questions to ask yourself before an EHR data conversion Want support assessing, optimizing, or converting your EMR? Get in touch with Optum Advisory’s EHR Services team. Or we can help you reach out directly. Email us at podcasts@advisory.com with the subject line "Help with EHR". Research Membership A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

In this special episode of Radio Advisory, recorded on September 10th, 2025, host Rae Woods explains how recent federal actions led by HHS Secretary RFK Jr. are shaping vaccine policy and public health infrastructure. As she unpacks what’s happened so far, Rae outlines the implications for vaccine access, public trust, and hospital readiness. She also offers clear guidance to health leaders: clarify your communication with staff and patients, prepare for seasonal surges, and work together to track the effects of policy shifts on the cost and quality of care. We’re here to help: Healthcare Policy Updates Timeline How research funding cuts are impacting healthcare (and how to respond) 240: Hospitals are at capacity. What can we actually do about it? A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

In the past several months, the Trump administration has frozen, cancelled, or rescinded millions—even billions—of dollars in federal funding for scientific and clinical research. This is funding that flows directly from bodies like the NIH to universities, academic medical centers, and others to facilitate basic science research, translational research, public health initiatives, and more. Frankly, many organizations did not see these cuts coming—at least not at this scale. And the impacts are likely to touch most every corner of the industry. This week, host Abby Burns sits down with Advisory Board experts Emily Heuser and Gaby Marmolejos to dig into how these cuts are being orchestrated and the ripple effects they may cause across—and even beyond—the healthcare industry. We’re here to help: Read: How research funding cuts are impacting healthcare (and how to respond) Check out: Healthcare policy updates Check out: Philanthropy Keep track: Healthcare Policy Updates Timeline Use our tool: How policy changes will impact your bottom line Research Membership Grant Witness Navigating healthcare’s next frontier: 5 takeaways from the CHG Healthcare Executive Summit A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

This episode originally aired on April 15, 2025. In times of uncertainty, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by what’s out of your control. That’s why over the next few weeks we’re revisiting three powerful conversations that remind us where to focus: on operational excellence, on what is within your control, and on the urgency to act now. Whether you're navigating workforce challenges, financial pressures, or strategic pivots, these episodes offer practical insights to help you retrench, refocus, and lead with clarity. Let’s face it: Hospitals and post-acute providers can find themselves at odds. Post-acute is an area of the industry that is often misunderstood and sometimes villainized. But when post-acute care struggles, it directly impacts hospital operations. The industry needs a solution. It starts with understanding that the post-acute space is not a monolith. Because only by understanding how different facilities struggle—and how systems can support or partner with them—can we unlock their potential. That’s why this week, host Abby Burns invites Advisory Board expert Monica Westhead, and Optum Advisory post-acute care expert Jennifer Skaggs to unpack the post-acute landscape and break down what effective acute-post-acute partnerships looks like. Throughout the discussion, they explore why post-acute facilities are struggling to stay afloat, and why partnering with post-acute facilities is better avenue than building or buying. We’re here to help: Optum Advisory partners with hospitals nationwide to improve efficiency and optimize resource utilization to reduce labor expenses. The Playbook for Hospital/Post-Acute Care Collaboration New staffing mandates for SNFs will have broad effects. Here's how to prepare. Post-acute care landing page Join 165,000+ healthcare leaders and get the industry’s most important news in your inbox—every day. A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

(This episode originally aired on February 25, 2025.) In times of uncertainty, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by what’s out of your control. That’s why over the next few weeks we’re revisiting three powerful conversations that remind us where to focus: on operational excellence, on what is within your control, and on the urgency to act now. Whether you're navigating workforce challenges, financial pressures, or strategic pivots, these episodes offer practical insights to help you retrench, refocus, and lead with clarity. We’ve said it before on Radio Advisory: hospital volumes are back. But leaders know this isn’t necessarily a sigh of relief. With a lot of hospitals at—or even over-- capacity, hospital leaders need to find ways to improve patient throughput and reduce length of stay. And trust me, they’ve been trying. The question is, why is it so hard to address capacity and length of stay, and what can leaders do about it in 2025? This week, host Rachel (Rae) Woods is joined by Advisory Board expert Isis Monteiro. Isis shares what she learned from her “world tour” of talking with 45 healthcare leaders from nine countries to understand how they’re tackling capacity challenges. Throughout the conversation, they break down three root causes of high hospital length of stay and highlight examples of how organizations are overcoming them. We’re here to help: Ep. 225: Patients are back – so why aren't hospital margins? Ep. 221: How will health system growth look different in 2025 and beyond? Provider Operations landing page Interested in learning more about our length-of-stay reduction research? Join us live at an Advisory Board Summit and attend a dedicated session on how your organization can address foundational capacity, throughput, and length-of-stay challenges. Check out Advisory Board’s Hospital Benchmark Generator tool to see how your hospital’s length-of-stay stacks up and pinpoint improvement opportunities for improvement to remain competitive.

(This episode originally aired on October 1, 2024.) In times of uncertainty, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by what’s out of your control. That’s why over the next few weeks we’re revisiting three powerful conversations that remind us where to focus: on operational excellence, on what is within your control, and on the urgency to act now. Whether you're navigating workforce challenges, financial pressures, or strategic pivots, these episodes offer practical insights to help you retrench, refocus, and lead with clarity. In the past, we’ve told our listeners that the number one area of focus for health system growth is operational excellence, and a major part of that is capturing all of the revenue on the table from your medical group. Healthcare organizations have spent the last decade buying up medical groups and physicians, in part because of the “promise” of downstream referrals. It is a long-held belief that physician employment leads to higher referral integrity. But according to an Advisory Board data analysis, that doesn’t hold true - just 55% of total referral revenue attributed to employed PCPs is realized in-network. This week, host Rachel (Rae) Woods invites Advisory Board physician experts Eliza Dailey and Colleen Wagner to unpack where referral leakage actually happens and share the real (and relatively easy) steps organizations can take to reduce referral leakage. We’re here to help: Tools to reduce referral leakage in the medical group Are employed PCPs more likely to refer within their health systems? Ep. 221: How will health system growth look different in 2025 and beyond? Medical group integration 3 shifts impacting medical groups: 2024 update on the physician landscap Join 165,000+ healthcare leaders and get the industry’s most important news in your inbox—every day.

Healthcare organizations have always faced operational, financial, and strategic pressures—but in 2025, those challenges are intensifying. A wave of current and anticipated policy changes is reshaping the industry, leaving leaders to navigate an increasingly complex and uncertain landscape. To better understand how executives are preparing for what’s ahead, Advisory Board held more than 130 conversations through one-on-one calls, small-group policy forums, and other formats. These discussions revealed a wide range of strategies, concerns, and priorities. The reality? There’s no universal playbook for this moment. When best practices fall short, peer-to-peer insights offer a powerful way to benchmark reactions and learn from others. In this episode, host Rachel (Rae) Woods sits down with Natalie Trebes and Chad Peltier—two researchers leading Advisory Board’s policy work. Together, they explore why peer learning is more critical than ever, what’s top of mind for executives across the industry, and how organizations are responding to the shifting policy landscape. Interested in joining future focus groups or workshops? Reach out to the team at podcasts@advisory.com to get involved. We’re here to help: Ep. 262: The price of policy: How tariffs are reshaping purchasing Ep. 258: The ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill Act’: What’s changing, who’s affected, and what to do now Healthcare policy updates Healthcare Policy Updates Timeline In times of uncertainty, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by what’s out of your control. That’s why over the next few weeks we’re revisiting three powerful conversations that remind us where to focus: on operational excellence, on what is within your control, and on the urgency to act now. Don’t miss Radio Advisory’s operational excellence series, beginning August 19th. Send a voice message to Radio Advisory. A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

For health system leaders, managing the cost of purchased goods is no longer just a budgeting exercise—it’s a strategic necessity. As margins tighten and supply chain disruptions persist, health systems are rethinking everything from vendor relationships to value analysis. In this episode of Radio Advisory, host Rachel (Rae) Woods welcomes Advisory Board expert Nick Hula to unpack the findings of the 2025 Health System Purchasing Survey. Together, they explore how economic and policy pressures are reshaping purchasing strategies across the industry. Nick shares how leaders are balancing short-term cost-saving tactics with long-term resilience, and why holistic evaluation—factoring in real-world outcomes, clinician experience, and supply chain security—is becoming the new standard. Plus, stay tuned until the end of the episode for a policy update on CMS’s proposed payment rules for CY 2026—a timely reminder that regular rulemaking not only persists but can also rapidly advance an administration’s stated goals. We’re here to help: Survey results: Insights on health system purchasing today 20 ways health systems can control costs Resources to build a modern and resilient supply chain How supply chain leaders should (and shouldn't) respond to tariffs How purchasers are tackling the affordability crisis of high-cost drugs Ep. 259: Our expensive new normal: why traditional drug cost controls are obsolete In times of uncertainty, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by what’s out of your control. That’s why over the next few weeks we’re revisiting three powerful conversations that remind us where to focus: on operational excellence, on what is within your control, and on the urgency to act now. Don’t miss Radio Advisory’s operational excellence series, beginning August 19th. Send a voice message to Radio Advisory. A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

For health care purchasers, women’s health is no longer a niche offering—it’s a strategic imperative. In this episode of Radio Advisory, host Rachel (Rae) Woods welcomes Dr. Neel Shah, Chief Medical Officer at Maven Clinic—the world’s largest virtual clinic for women’s and family health—to unpack the clinical, financial, and operational benefits of investing in holistic women’s health. As costs rise, employee expectations evolve, and working parents face mounting pressures, purchasers are navigating a complex balancing act: managing their own financial health while offering benefits that attract and retain top talent. Dr. Shah explains how partners like Maven are helping employers and purchasers offer holistic, cost-effective care across the full lifecycle—from fertility and pregnancy to postpartum and menopause. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why women’s health is a critical component of any cost-containment strategy for purchasers How holistic support for women and parents creates a competitive advantage in today’s labor market The role of digital health in connecting patients and employees to the clinical and non-clinical support they need—quickly and cost-effectively We’re here to help: The Preprint Ep. 216: Ep. 216: Why providers and employers need to focus on women's health "beyond the bikini" Ep. 188: The business case for investing in women's health Ep. 232: The rise of ICHRAs: Why some employers are turning to the individual market Health System Growth Series A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

To make progress on delivering behavioral healthcare at scale, we have to hold up examples of what progress looks like—and unpack how we achieve it. That was the goal of our live panel discussion at the Advisory Board Summit in Washington, D.C., moderated by Radio Advisory co-host Abby Burns. In today’s episode of Radio Advisory, hear Abby’s conversation with three provider leaders—Dr. Tristan Gorrindo, former Chief Medical Officer of Optum Behavioral Care, Dr. Mustafa Mufti, Chair of Psychiatry at ChristianaCare, and Dr. Ken Rogers, Chief Medical Officer for Behavioral Health at WellSpan. The group explores how each of these provider organizations are approaching digital health, workforce, crisis care, and, of course, financial sustainability in behavioral health. We’re here to help: Behavioral health Your behavioral health and VBC strategies should work together. Here's why. How GRAND Mental Health reduced psychiatric inpatient hospitalizations by 93% Ep. 187: ChristianaCare's comprehensive, CFO-approved approach to behavioral healthcare Health System Growth Series A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

Treatments like cell and gene therapies (CGTs) and GLP-1s are transforming care, but with double-digit growth in drug spend year over year, this transformation comes with an unsustainable price tag. And it’s putting pressure on every part of the healthcare ecosystem, from patients and providers to employers and health plans. The strategies that purchasers have used to manage drug spend in the past are no longer getting the job done. But when our Advisory Board experts set out to find the innovators creating new ways to rein in spend, they came up empty. Purchasers appear to be stuck in a “wait and see” pattern—but no silver bullets are coming. This week, host Abby Burns invites Advisory Board experts Chloe Bakst, Aaron Hill, and Amanda Okaka to discuss the drivers behind rising drug costs and why traditional cost-saving strategies are falling short. They provide actionable guidance on how purchasers and plans can modernize their approach to utilization management and make moves toward integrating pharmacy and medical benefits in order to manage total cost of care—in other words, move toward value. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why drug spend is rising unsustainably Why the current efforts to improve drug affordability are helping, but not enough What it would look like to bring traditional strategies to manage spend into the 2020s What’s on the horizon: the move toward tying drug spend to value We’re here to help: How purchasers are tackling the affordability crisis of high-cost drugs 4 ways pharma can improve partnerships for cell and gene therapy delivery Cell and gene therapy programs: How to launch, optimize, and deliver CGTs sustainably Health Technology Pipeline (HTP) Survey insights: What to know about the clinician workforce today A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

On July 4th, 2025, President Donald Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into law. In this “minisode,” host Rachel (Rae) Woods unpacks the sweeping implications of the most significant healthcare legislation since the Affordable Care Act. From enhanced subsidies expiring to major cuts to Medicaid and ACA marketplace coverage on the horizon, Rae explores what this legislation means for providers, payers, and the broader healthcare ecosystem. Listen to this short policy update for strategic steps leaders must take to manage the cascading impacts of the Act’s implementation. This episode was recorded on July 7th, 2025. We’re here to help: Healthcare Policy Updates Timeline Ep. 256: How you can prepare for the financial impacts of Trump-era policies A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

In this special live episode from the 2025 Advisory Board Summit, host Rachel (Rae) Woods sits down with a leader well-versed in bold transformation: Paul Markovich. After more than a decade as President and CEO of Blue Shield of California, Paul now leads Ascendiun—a new nonprofit parent company that includes Blue Shield of California, its clinical services firm Altais, and the newly launched health services business, Stellarus. Together, they explore the mounting pressures facing health plans and the bold bets Paul has made in pursuit of a powerful mission: to eagerly create a healthcare system that is worthy of friends and family—and sustainably affordable. Upholding that mission while navigating constant disruption is no easy feat. In this episode, you’ll learn: How organizations can drive radical change without losing public trust What action steps leaders can take today, from getting their digital house to restructuring their pharmacy models What it takes to prioritize, scale, and sustain bold moves across a complex organization We’re here to help: Ascendiun Blue Shield of California is ditching its PBM. Here's our take. Radio Advisory's Leadership playlist Understand your customer: Health plans Home - 2025 Advisory Board Virtual Summit Series There are two events remaining in the 2025 Advisory Board Summit Series. Click here to learn more and secure your spot. Advisory Board Fellowship A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

Healthcare executives are closely watching legislative activity in Congress—anticipating shifts in government-funded insurance, new economic headwinds, and regulatory changes. And while change is certainly coming, what remains uncertain is how these forces will shape market dynamics and organizational finances. To help hospitals and health systems prepare, Advisory Board’s quantitative experts developed an impact estimator to size the financial impact of Congress’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’. This week, host Abby Burns invites Advisory Board experts Sebastian Beckmann, Deeksha Aleti, and Vidal Seegobin to share the scenario planning tool and explore the range of potential outcomes—from moderate disruption to catastrophic margin impact. Together, they explain how leaders can predict the total impact on their organizations, break down how specific policies will shift their finances (and when), and offer actionable strategies leaders can take today to mitigate risk and plan effectively. We’re here to help: Ep. 255: Is healthcare really recession-proof? Ep. 244: What’s happened in Washington (so far) and what policy changes we’re bracing for Healthcare policy updates 4 ways to improve site-of-care transitions for sickle cell patients How VCU built an ‘inescapable’ Adult Sickle Cell Medical Home to improve inpatient to outpatient transitions of care 4 keys to success in the New England Sickle Cell Institute’s outpatient program for adult sickle cell patients Get in touch to learn more about Advisory Board's Policy Scenario Impact Calculator and other tools A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

When experts warn that the economy could be headed for a recession, people working across different corners of the economy get nervous. People working in healthcare, maybe less so. That’s because of a longstanding idea that healthcare is impervious to recession. Okay, maybe that’s overstating it. Healthcare is less susceptible than other industries. But did this notion hold up during the pandemic? During the Great Recession? More importantly, will it hold up now? This week on Radio Advisory, host Rachel (Rae) Woods invites Advisory Board Research Vice Presidents Shay Pratt and Vidal Seegobin to debate the question: Is healthcare really recession-proof? We are not economists, we are healthcare experts. So throughout the conversation, they reflect on how past dislocations affected the healthcare industry, and what leaders can—and can’t—learn from these events to help them interpret the current turbulence. Plus, stay tuned to the end of the episode for a policy update on the ripple effects of Secretary Kennedy’s recent shakeup of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee. We’re here to help: Listen: Ep. 244: What’s happened in Washington (so far) and what policy changes we’re bracing for Read: Healthcare policy updates Read: How the Great Recession impacted inpatient utilization Read: Could a recession be good for healthcare? Some economists think so. Additional resources related to the Advisory Committee on Immunization practices: Meet the new members of CDC's vaccine advisory panel Understanding the ACIP and How Vaccine Recommendations are Made in the US 4 ways to improve site-of-care transitions for sickle cell patients How VCU built an 'inescapable' Adult Sickle Cell Medical Home to improve inpatient to outpatient transitions of care 4 keys to success in the New England Sickle Cell Institute's outpatient program for adult sickle cell patients Health policy playlist Modeling Reemergence of Vaccine-Eliminated Infectious Diseases Under Declining Vaccination in the US | Infectious Diseases | JAMA | JAMA Network A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.

Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to generate excitement across healthcare, promising to reduce clinician burnout, fuel innovation, and ease financial pressures. But despite the hype, AI is far from a “plug-and-play” solution—and simply investing in AI won’t guarantee success. This week, host Rachel (Rae) Woods is joined by Advisory Board AI expert Ty Aderhold to explore what it really takes to see value from AI in healthcare. Together, they unpack: The current reality of AI’s return on investment The hidden risks—like bias, hallucinations, and uneven adoption—that leaders must manage Why leaders should resist the urge to merely copy others How to build the internal capabilities and governance needed for sustainable, high-impact AI adoption Instead of chasing the latest tech trend, leaders should take a problem-first approach—investing in the right governance, expertise, and evaluation to ensure AI solutions are aligned with their organization’s needs. Links: Ep. 220: Why AI in healthcare is more than just ChatGPT Upcoming webinar: AI in healthcare: Use cases, emerging risks, opportunities, and more Healthcare in 2025, part 2: How AI is shaping care team roles 3 paradigm shifts in healthcare: Cheat sheet series Radio Advisory Tech & AI playlist Survey insights: What to know about the clinician workforce today A transcript of this episode as well as more information and resources can be found on RadioAdvisory.advisory.com.