In this episode of Listening In (With Permission), Ryan Olmstead sits down with Mike Hanlon, founder and CEO of Abett, to unpack some of the boldest ideas in health benefits management—and why they might not be so radical after all.
Hanlon, whose company builds automation tools for large employer plan sponsors, offers a candid look at why traditional approaches to benefits data and cost management have failed to move the needle, and what it will take to finally deliver better outcomes at lower costs. From real-time data to market-based carve-outs, Hanlon shares practical insights and hard-won lessons for employers ready to challenge the status quo.
Key Insights
Why “data tools” need a reboot:
Hanlon argues that the old model of data warehousing and retroactive analytics—think pie charts and annual reviews—hasn’t delivered results. Instead, he makes the case for real-time data flow and workflow automation, allowing employers to match plan members with the right solutions at the right moment, not months after the fact1.
From population health to individual action:
Aggregated data is useful, but real savings and improved outcomes come from targeting interventions at the individual level. Hanlon explains how Abbet’s software helps employers act on specific cases—like steering a dialysis patient away from the most expensive provider—rather than just reporting on trends1.
Carve-outs: Market mechanisms with untapped potential:
While the concept of carving out high-cost providers is gaining traction, Hanlon reveals the practical hurdles employers face in executing these strategies. Success depends on knowing where to focus, collaborating with plan administrators, and pushing through resistance. Despite the challenges, Hanlon predicts carve-outs will become increasingly common as more assertive employers pave the way.
The data access myth—debunked:
Hanlon sets the record straight: federal law gives plan sponsors not just the right, but the fiduciary obligation, to access their claims and clinical data. This applies to both self-insured and fully insured employers. The real barrier isn’t the contract language—it’s whether executives are willing to demand compliance from their plan administrators.
Fully insured employers: Yes, you can get your data:
Contrary to long-standing industry claims, Hanlon confirms that fully insured employers are also entitled to their plan data under federal law. The challenge is enforcement, not legality. Hanlon shares Abbet’s early experiences helping employers assert these rights and the importance of executive leadership in making it happen.
Why Listen?
Whether you’re a benefits leader, consultant, or policy advocate, this episode offers a blueprint for moving beyond outdated analytics and passive plan management. Hanlon’s perspective is clear: real change requires real-time data, targeted action, and the willingness to challenge entrenched interests. If you’re ready to rethink what’s possible in employer-sponsored healthcare, this is the conversation you need to hear.