Contributing Editor
Employee Benefit News
Bruce Shutan is a contributing editor to Employee Benefit News. He has written and edited for the publication for 37 years and was conference program director for Benefits Management Forum & Expo for two of those years. He has written for nearly 140 publications, corporate entities and individuals and has been quoted about employee benefit trends in various media outlets. In addition, he has ghostwritten three books.
What happens when the people responsible for designing and advising on employee health plans find themselves on the other side—as patients navigating the very system they help build?
In this powerful closing keynote, top benefits advisors and an industry expert share their personal experiences facing musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions—some of the most debilitating and costly issues in today’s workforce. Despite their insider knowledge, they still encountered the same pain, delays, financial stress, and insurance obstacles as any plan member would.
Through these real-life stories, attendees will gain a firsthand look at the challenges of navigating MSK care and learn how these experiences reshaped their views on benefit design, pain management, and patient advocacy. From understanding the critical role of cash-pay options to uncovering flaws in access and coverage, this session offers practical takeaways for employers, brokers, and benefit leaders committed to closing the gap between plan design and patient experience.
Prepare to leave inspired, challenged—and more informed—about what it truly means to walk in your employees’ shoes.
With rising healthcare costs putting pressure on both employers and employees, the challenge is clear: how can organizations maintain high-quality, competitive benefits without passing the financial burden onto their workforce? This session will explore actionable strategies for controlling healthcare spend while prioritizing employee well-being. Learn how employers are gaining greater visibility and control by moving away from traditional BUCA models and adopting self-funded approaches, direct primary care models, and other innovative solutions. Panelists will share how they’ve used data analytics, alternative funding models, and smart vendor negotiations to drive sustainable savings. You’ll hear real-world examples of organizations that have successfully reduced or maintained costs while enhancing benefits—and how they’re reinvesting those savings into programs that support employee health, retention, and long-term growth.