Skip to main content
Marsh logo

Podcast

Risk in Context Podcast: Optimizing health and benefits programs across private equity portfolios

Listen to Marsh specialists discuss why private equity firms should consider portfolio-wide health and benefits programs and share some actions PE firms can take to implement these programs.

05/12/2026 · 2 minute read

As healthcare costs continue to surge, private equity (PE) firms managing diverse portfolios have the opportunity to mitigate the impact by adopting portfolio-wide health and benefits strategies. Portfolio-wide programs enable PE firms to harness the scale of their portfolio to rein in escalating expenses and enhance employee retention and recruitment across their investments.

But for portfolio-wide programs to achieve their intended results, they need to go beyond one-size-fits-all solutions and instead focus on tailoring coverage, claims management, and resiliency efforts to the unique needs of each portfolio company. Early and rigorous diligence is critical, enabling sponsors to uncover hidden optimization opportunities and embed them into financial models and transition plans, setting the stage for stronger exits.

In this episode of Risk in Context, Alex Ackermann, Marsh's Private Equity and M&A Services Practice Leader for North America, speaks with Katherine Gensheimer, Chief Client Officer for Marsh's North America Private Equity and M&A business, and Tom Shea, Senior Principal and Health and Benefits Consultant at Mercer. They discuss why PE firms should consider portfolio-wide health and benefits programs and provide actionable steps to implementing these strategies effectively.

Apple Podcast Spotify Podcast
Download transcript

Key takeaways

Rising healthcare costs demand proactive management

With healthcare spending reaching its highest increase in 15 years and projected to continue rising, organizations must actively manage funding structures, plan designs, pharmacy benefits, high-cost claimants, and more to mitigate financial impact.

Early diligence identifies optimization opportunities

Integrating health and benefits considerations during the due diligence phase enables sponsors to uncover cost-saving opportunities up front, incorporate them into financial models, and build effective transition plans that support successful exits.

Data-driven stewardship maximizes value creation

Ongoing analytics and stewardship reporting allow PE firms to monitor healthcare spend, identify outliers early, and implement corrective actions, helping to maintain control over costs and maximize portfolio value.

About our speakers

Placeholder Image

Alexander Ackermann

PEMA North America Practice Leader, Marsh Risk

  • United States

Alex Ackermann is the leader of Marsh’s Private Equity and M&A Services Group (PEMA), based in the New York office. In this role, his responsibilities include the oversight of development and coordination of private equity relationships, due diligence support, structuring portfolio programs, and providing transitional oversight between pre- and post-close insurance issues. He has more than 15 years of experience in the risk and insurance brokerage industry, advising on a wide range of topics specific to private equity and alternative asset investors. His experience spans the transaction lifecycle from pre-acquisition diligence to transactional liability solutions, as well as structuring and managing portfolio programs globally.

Placeholder Image

Katherine Gensheimer

Chief Client Officer, PEMA North America, Marsh Risk

  • United States

Katherine Gensheimer is the Chief Client Officer for Marsh’s Private Equity and M&A (PEMA) Services Group in North America. She works closely with the North America Practice Leader and broader team to support the work undertaken by the firm in conjunction with private capital clients and their portfolio companies, helping them to effectively address complex issues and provide valuable insights that enhance the success of their investments.

Tom Shea

Tom Shea

Senior Principal and Health and Benefits Consultant, Mercer

  • United States

Tom Shea is a Senior Principal in Mercer’s Private Equity, Health and Benefits Practice. With more than 25 years of experience advising sponsors and portfolio company leadership teams, he helps private equity clients design and execute benefits strategies that create value, balance risk, and strengthen employee attraction and retention. He works with private equity funds and portfolio companies across industries and stages of growth, with his work commonly supporting the deal lifecycle. Drawing on experience in health plan administration, retirement, and consulting, he leads strategic planning and coordinates Mercer’s specialists to deliver practical, results-focused solutions aligned to each client’s priorities.

Previous podcasts

team-creating-a-roadmap

Podcast

Insights from the front lines part 1

05/08/2026
Focused doubtful mature businessman reading contract document thinking considering risks with professional experts executive team analyzing financial report sitting at office table.

Podcast

Risk in Context Podcast: Strengthening resilience in an era of interconnected risks

04/28/2026
Pilot operates flight simulator in training session

Podcast

Risk in Context Podcast: Prioritizing mental health to enhance aviation safety

04/07/2026
highspeed data transmission visualization with glowing light trails on dark background futuristic technology concept illustration

Podcast

Risk in Context Podcast: Risk and insurance considerations for small nuclear technologies

03/17/2026

Related insights

Female coworker discussion

Article

Women in private equity and mergers and acquisitions (WPEMA)

04/29/2026
Global transactional risk report

Report

Transactional risk insurance 2025: Year in review

03/18/2026
Placeholder Image

Article

Preparing for an exit through a strong people strategy

02/27/2026
Down angle view of the city skyscrapers.

Article

Smart strategies to mitigate risk in a private equity exit

02/24/2026
View more