"Nomi actually stands for 'no middleman'. Take out that invented complexity... Price comes way down, becomes more simple to administer, and there's plenty of dollars to go around for providers now making more money." - Josh Walker

My guest this week, Josh Walker, Founder & COO of Nomi Health, is on a mission to rebuild healthcare by tackling its "invented complexity." He joined me on the show to explain why creating a direct relationship between the buyers and providers of care is the key to a better, more affordable system for everyone.

How does Nomi do it? We break down their playbook, which focuses on three core strategies: standardizing data formats to improve efficiency, embracing price discovery to find the true cost of care, and simplifying payment dynamics to cut out the middlemen.

This isn't just theory. Joshua shares the powerful, real-world results of their model, including how one client's benefits leader received a standing ovation from employees after switching to a plan that eliminated all financial barriers to care.

Tune in this week to learn why it’s so important to find the true cost of care, and why I’m so proud to have Nomi as a sponsor for the show!

Chapters:

(00:00:44) What Does NOMI Stand For?

(00:11:36) Finding the "True Cost of Care"

(00:23:27) Do We Even Need Networks Anymore?

(00:35:14) What Churros Can Teach Us About Data Analytics

(00:52:19) From Solution Taker to Solution Maker

(00:55:59) The "Standing Ovation" Health Plan

Key Links for Social:

@SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFunded

Listen/watch on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02

Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286

Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/

Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/

“Does your consultant understand these kind of strategies and mechanisms are available in the market and do they know how to implement them and make them work?" - Riley DearingRiley Dearing of Hotchkiss Insurance returns to the show this week, and he’s brought with him Blake Allison, CEO of Employers Health Network (EHN) to talk all about high-performance health networks and the massive opportunity they represent.Ever wonder how high-performance health networks actually work? We broke down the real mechanics: how direct provider partnerships are built, how benefit design drives engagement to the right facilities, and how this collaborative approach leads to better data, lower costs, and predictable risk for employers.This isn't just theory; we also announce EHN's new partnership with Covenant Health, detailing how this model is being scaled to bring these powerful solutions to employers across West Texas.Tune in this week for the definitive guide on how high-performance health networks actually work!Chapters:(00:00:00) How the World's #1 Chevy Dealer Saved $3 Million on Healthcare

(00:10:30) Enhancing Healthcare Networks

(00:16:23) Making Sure Members Can Get Care In Their Area

(00:22:30) Empowering Patients

(00:25:43) Navigating Healthcare Pricing Strategy

(00:35:23) Enhancing Healthcare Affordability

(00:47:14) Data-Driven Healthcare

(00:57:17) Zero Out-of-Pocket Cost For MembersKey Links for Social:@SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFundedListen/watch on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/

If you'd like your question answered on next month's episode, call/text 469-213-6381 and leave us a voicemail/text.Each month on Last Month In Healthcare, producer Nathaniel joins me to discuss the previous month's podcasts, headlines, and listener-submitted questions.This episode covers healthcare news from June to mid-July 2025.And we play a new game called the "Which Has Less Ingredients?", which is exactly like what the title suggests.Chapters: 0:00 - Intro0:22 - A proposal to ban drug ads2:48 - Pre-diabetes rates in children have tripled in 25 years5:25 - Healthcare workers leaking patient data through AI7:06 - Mark Cuban's healthcare plan10:05 - Healthcare is the top employer in most states12:49 - The Self-Funded Review19:37 - Which Has Less Ingredients? (this month's game)27:27- Ask Spencer AnythingSources: https://phys.org/news/2025-06-glass-bottles-microplastics-plastic.htmlhttps://x.com/mcuban/status/1934834421225672999https://www.scrippsnews.com/health/alarming-number-of-adolescents-have-prediabetes-new-data-from-cdc-says?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://x.com/utobian/status/1943127594960064713?t=BfpiRV8m7thZDIqTRMVo3Ahttps://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/health-care-workers-are-leaking-patient-data-through-ai-tools-cloud-appshttps://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/sanders-senators-float-ban-on-direct-to-consumer-ads-for-prescription-drugshttps://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinics-ai-tool-identifies-9-dementia-types-including-alzheimers-with-one-scan/