Leadership & Strategy Episodes

This bonus episode is the full recording of Alex Yarijanian's HBMA continuing-education webinar. It runs longer than a standard VBCA episode — treat it as a resource, not a highlight reel.

Got a contract. The fee schedule is fine. Not great — fine. And now the question isn't can we do this. It's should we, and on what terms?

Why are employers paying up to four times Medicare rates for identical procedures? Dr. Kumar Dharmarajan joins Alex Yarijanian to break down incentive alignment, Medicare Advantage contracting, AI-driven engagement, and the structural pricing gap between MA and commercial markets.

In this episode, Alex Yarijanian breaks down what’s actually showing up in payer conversations right now, long before final CMS rules are published. Drawing from real contracting, network, and delegation discussions, Alex explains why waiting for regulatory clarity is already costing providers and health tech companies leverage.

This episode also outlines who is most at risk heading into 2026, the three types of organizations positioned to win, and what provider and health tech leaders should do in the next 90 days to stay relevant.

Medicare’s 2026 physician fee schedule is packed with change — but change means opportunity. In this episode of the VBCA Podcast, Alex Yarijanian breaks down the five biggest updates every provider and startup should know:



Shorter, billable windows for remote monitoring


New behavioral health add-ons to primary care


Incentives that reward value-based care


Expanded reimbursement for digital therapeutics & telehealth


A major shift from inpatient to outpatient procedures




Whethe...

Welcome back to the Value-Based Care Advisory podcast! In this episode, host Alex Yarijanian delves into the significant updates and strategies for 2026 in the Medicare Advantage space. He covers essential news and policy changes, including a 5% increase in Medicare payment rates, the scaling back of supplemental benefits, and the permanence of telehealth for behavioral health. Alex also discusses updates to the Medicare physician fee schedule, redesigned enrollment forms, new health risk assess...

In this episode of the VBCA podcast, host Alex Yarijanian delves into the often overlooked yet crucial aspect of leadership: emotional labor. Discover how managing emotions plays a pivotal role in negotiations and leadership effectiveness. Alex shares personal experiences and insights on how emotional labor can be both a powerful tool and a silent tax on leaders, especially for those challenging dominant norms. Tune in to learn how to harness emotional intelligence to build trust and lead with e...

This podcast episode delves into the intricate relationship between mindfulness meditation and its profound implications for healthcare leadership. We explore how mindfulness practices not only enhance emotional well-being but also significantly improve the quality and effectiveness of leadership within healthcare settings. Through a rigorous examination of scientific evidence, we elucidate the neurological benefits of mindfulness, demonstrating its capacity to modulate stress and foster cogniti...