Why Healthcare Costs So Much and How the Tax Code Can Fix It Featuring Anthony McMahon of ClaimLinx

Healthcare costs in America are out of control — and most business owners think there’s nothing they can do about it.

In this episode of The Lyon Share Podcast, Ed Lyon sits down with Anthony McMahon of ClaimLinx to explain why healthcare is fundamentally a tax problem, how the system became so expensive, and how employers can legally restructure benefits to save massive amounts of money — without hurting employees.

This is not an insurance pitch. It’s a tax strategy conversation that exposes how incentives are misaligned, why traditional brokers don’t lower costs, and how employers can flip the script using tools already built into the tax code.

Anthony McMahon
Healthcare cost strategist at ClaimLinx. Anthony helps employers reduce healthcare spend by restructuring how benefits are purchased, funded, and reimbursed — aligning incentives around savings instead of rising premiums.

Employer-based health insurance traces back to World War II wage controls and tax deductions — and the system never evolved.

Family premiums exceeding $5,000 per month are no longer rare — and they’re unsustainable for small and mid-sized businesses.

Traditional brokers get paid more when premiums rise — even if the employer loses.

Why most agents only present bad options instead of better strategies.

Lower premiums while keeping networks, coverage, and employee satisfaction intact.

How employers can self-fund care tax-efficiently instead of overpaying insurers.

Pay only when claims occur — not upfront — unlike HSAs and traditional plans.

Fewer committees, faster decisions, better outcomes.

• Healthcare is a tax-driven system, not just an insurance system

• Employers are often overpaying by 40–60 percent

• Traditional brokers are incentivized to keep costs high

• High deductibles don’t have to mean worse benefits

• MERPs are legal, proven, and decades old

• Employers don’t need Congress to fix this problem

“Healthcare is built on tax law — most people just don’t realize it.”
“Brokers celebrate a smaller rate increase while premiums still explode.”
“You don’t need new laws to lower healthcare costs — you need better structure.”
“This isn’t about cutting benefits. It’s about buying them smarter.”

• Business owners with employees

• CFOs and controllers

• HR leaders

• Tax and benefits professionals

• Employers frustrated with annual premium increases

Healthcare costs are crushing businesses — but the solution isn’t political.

It’s structural.

This episode shows how employers can:

• Regain control

• Lower costs immediately

• Improve benefits

• Align incentives correctly

All using tools that already exist in the tax code.

Visit ClaimLinx.com
Connect with Anthony McMahon on LinkedIn
Email: aMcMahon@claimlinks.com

Follow Ed Lyon and The Lyon Share Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

About the GuestKey Topics CoveredWhy healthcare is driven by tax lawThe real cost of health insuranceThe broker conflict nobody talks about“Here’s what it costs” vs “Here’s how to pay less”High-deductible plans done the right wayMedical Expense Reimbursement Plans (MERPs)Cash-flow advantages for employersWhy small employers benefit the mostKey TakeawaysMemorable QuotesWho Should ListenWhy This Episode MattersConnect & Learn More