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There’s no doubt that physicians who take money from pharmaceutical companies prescribe more expensive drugs.

But is that really best for patients?

And what are the real dangers of these financial incentives?

In this episode of CareTalk, David Williams and John Driscoll talk with Dr. Aaron Mitchell, a genitourinary medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, about the precarious role of financial incentives on physician behavior.

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.

As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.

TOPICS
(0:22) Sponsorship: BetterHelp
(1:44) Why Should We Care About Incentives in Healthcare?
(2:40) The Nature of Relationships Between Doctors and Pharma
(4:48) The Average Size of Incentives
(6:53) The Impact of Incentives on Prescribing Patterns
(7:45) How Pharma Justifies Financial Incentives
(12:05) When Financial Incentives Lead to Prescribing Worse Drugs
(14:44) A Doctor's Perspective on the Ethics of Incentives
(17:31) Branded Drugs Versus Unbranded Drugs
(20:26) How Doctors Have Reacted to Findings on Financial Incentives
(23:26) Should Patients be Afraid of Getting the Wrong Drug?
(27:15) What's Next for Dr. Aaron Mitchell?

🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK
CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.

🎙️⚕️ ABOUT DR. AARON MITCHELL
Dr. Mitchell is an oncologist and health services researcher with extensive training. He completed his internal medicine residency at Duke University Hospital and his medical oncology fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research examines how financial incentives influence physician behavior and seeks to improve patient outcomes and reduce low-value care through changes in oncology reimbursement models.

Read Dr. Aaron Mitchell's research paper, "Are Financial Payments From the Pharmaceutical Industry Associated With Physician Prescribing? : A Systematic Review":
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33226858/

🎙️⚕️ ABOUT MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER
The team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) is driven by a unified mission: to end cancer for life. Their specialized care teams deliver personalized, compassionate, and expert care to patients of all ages. Guided by fundamental research from the Sloan Kettering Institute, MSK scientists work together on innovative translational and clinical research, advancing the understanding of cancer and enhancing methods for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

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Both patients and providers are more than familiar with the headaches associated with collecting payments.

But what solutions are there that support both patients and providers?

In this episode of HealthBiz Briefs, Tom Furr, CEO of PatientPay reveals how things like the Affordable Care Act are driving out-of-pocket costs and what the solutions are for supporting providers in collections without damaging patient opinions in the process.

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.

As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.

🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK
CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.

🎙️⚕️ ABOUT TOM FURR
Tom Furr is a seasoned entrepreneur and industry leader with a wealth of experience in the healthcare and technology sectors. Before establishing PatientPay, Tom held pivotal roles at MobileSmith Health, where he served as Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), and a Board member. His strategic leadership and operational expertise played a crucial role in driving the company's growth and innovation.

Tom's entrepreneurial journey began with Kinetics, Inc., a pioneering online commerce provider focused on serving small businesses. As a co-founder and president of Kinetics, Tom spearheaded initiatives that established the company as a key player in the early days of online commerce. Under his leadership, Kinetics formed strategic partnerships with major players such as Wells Fargo, First Union, and Netscape, further solidifying its position in the market.

🎙️⚕️ ABOUT PATIENTPAY
PatientPay offers comprehensive patient payment solutions tailored to the needs of patients, medical groups, hospitals, and revenue cycle management (RCM) companies. As a leading end-to-end solution, PatientPay addresses the financial complexities of specialty healthcare, partnering with medical groups and RCM firms to streamline patient payments throughout the care process.
With the rise of patients as major healthcare consumers in the U.S., PatientPay supports specialty services such as labs, radiology, and anesthesiology in improving payment collection efficiency. The platform enhances payment capture through patient-friendly statements aligned with Explanation of Benefits (EOB), flexible payment options, and streamlined billing workflows.

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Mental health issues have surged at an alarming rate, affecting a vast swath of Americans.

In this episode, David Williams revisits our previous discussions on mental health, exploring topics such as the current state of mental health, its impact on various demographics, the future of care, and how new technology is innovating the mental health field.

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.

As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.

TOPICS
(0:42) Sponsor
(1:21) The Current State of Mental Health
(1:56) Changes in the Healthcare Perspective on Mental Health
(8:01) Understanding the Scope of the Mental Health Crisis
(9:39) How Mental Illness Affects Lifespans
(15:15) The Role of Telehealth in Mental Health Care
(16:00) Inspiring Guests on Mental Health
(16:23) Mental Health Concerns for Younger Generations
(18:00) Revolutionizing Mental Health in the Black Community
(20:05) Has the Public's Understanding of Mental Healthcare Changed?
(24:04) How New Technology is Improving Mental Health Treatment
(24:30) Should Employers Pay for Mental Health Services?
(26:12) The State of Mental Health with Gen Z
(28:15) The Lack of Access to Care for Mental Health Emergencies
(30:44) Conclusion

🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK
CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.

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⚙️CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

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Massachusetts has often found itself at the forefront of healthcare accessibility.

In this episode of HealthBiz Briefs, Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts CEO, Sarah Iselin reveals how they’re innovating healthcare for the Commonwealth State through initiatives from women’s health to quality, access, and affordability. 

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.

As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.

🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK
CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.

🎙️⚕️ ABOUT SARAH ISELIN
Sarah Iselin is the president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, a leading independent plan with over $9 billion in revenue and nearly 3 million members. The company is known for its commitment to affordable, equitable healthcare and is often rated among the top health plans for service.
With nearly 30 years in healthcare strategy and policy, Sarah leads efforts to improve healthcare accessibility and empathy. She played a key role in the “Roadmap to Coverage,” which influenced Massachusetts’ 2006 health reform law and the Affordable Care Act. Sarah also served as president of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation and as the company’s chief strategy officer.

🎙️⚕️ ABOUT BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is committed to transforming healthcare through innovative services and plans that address rising costs and enhance care quality.
Their Alternative Quality Contract, involving over 80% of the state’s doctors and hospitals, sets a national standard for high-quality, value-driven care. The company actively collaborates with members and providers to improve health outcomes, offering support from mental health advocates and care coordinators to reduce emergency visits and hospitalizations.

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⚙️CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

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Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate, Tim Walz, has an extensive track record on healthcare policy. But his personal connection to reproductive freedom as an IVF dad might be the most salient factor in this election.

What has Walz accomplished in healthcare as a congressman and Governor? And what impact might he have as Vice President?

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.

As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.

TOPICS
(0:27) Sponsorship
(1:39) Tim Walz's Record on Healthcare Policy
(3:23) Tim Walz's Reproductive Freedom Initiatives
(4:36) Understanding Where the Parties Stand on IVF
(7:30) Examining Walz's Time as Governor
(9:25) Walz's Track Record on Limiting the Costs of Prescription Drugs
(11:59) Where Does Walz Stand on Mental Health?
(14:20) The Minnesota Debt Fairness Act
(15:54) How Will Walz's Policies Affect the Larger Healthcare Industry?
(20:54) Looking at the Future of Medicare Under Walz's Policies
(21:09) Final Thoughts on Walz's Healthcare Policy

🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK
CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.

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⚙️CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

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In this episode of HealthBiz Briefs, Jeff Greenfield, CEO of Provalytics, dives deep into the future of pharmaceutical marketing in a post-cookie world. Discover how innovative attribution alternatives are reshaping the landscape, empowering pharma marketers to transform brand awareness into tangible sales.

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.

As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.

🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK
CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.

🎙️⚕️ABOUT JEFF GREENFIELD
Entrepreneur, advisor, and disruptor with three decades of experience in strategy, growth, and marketing leadership.

Currently shaping the future of attribution as the co-founder of Provalytics.

Recognized at industry events such as NAPTE, NAB, Mediapost, BANFF, MASB, ANA, and TVOT, and featured in leading publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, WSJ, Bloomberg, ABC, CBS, and Investor’s Business Daily.

🎙️⚕️ ABOUT PROVALYTICS
Provalytics provides AI-driven attribution and planning tailored for a privacy-first world. Their award-winning methodology integrates all media, including walled gardens, deduplicates conversions, and eliminates the need for tags by relying solely on aggregated, non-personal data.

By combining Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM) with Multi-Touch Attribution (MTA), Provalytics delivers detailed insights and validated, incremental results.

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#healthcare #healthcarepodcast #digitaltherapeutics #healthcareAI #personalizedcare #accesstocare #healthcaretech #healthcaremarketing #healthcaredata #pharma

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⚙️CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

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Presidential candidate Kamala Harris has positioned herself as a strong advocate for female reproductive rights and progressive policies.

As she seeks to distinguish herself from the former president, does her stance on broader healthcare issues change as well?

In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll explore presidential hopeful Kamala Harris' views and potential future policies on everything from reproductive freedom to drug pricing and access to care.

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.

As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.

TOPICS
(0:23) BetterHelp Sponsorship
(1:30) Why Kamala Harris Matters for Healthcare
(2:10) Understanding Kamala's Role in Healthcare as VP
(3:04) The Impacts of Overturning Roe vs. Wade
(4:29) Looking at the Rights Associated with Reproductive Freedoms
(5:10) Women's Views on Abortion Access
(6:46) Looking at Harris' Wider Healthcare Policy
(7:39) The Problems with Prenatal Care in the U.S
(10:17) How Harris Will Tackle Discrimination in Healthcare
(11:46) Grappling with Pharmaceutical Pricing
(13:02) What will Harris' Impact be on Medicare and Healthcare Mergers?
(14:38) How J.D. Vance Contrasts with Kamala Harris on Healthcare Policy
(17:26) Will Kamala Harris Implement Universal Healthcare?
(19:36) Will Harris' Stances on Healthcare Have an Impact on Her Electability?

🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK
CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.

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#healthcarepodcast #healthcare #KamalaHarris #reproductiverights #accesstocare #pharma #drugprices

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⚙️CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

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Digital therapeutics have experienced both significant promise and industry failures in equal measure.

That being said, according to a recent PWC report, research found that more than half of patients are willing to use digital therapeutics and that more than 56% of doctors are recommending them to their patients.

The need for digital therapeutics is clearly there, and patients are increasingly looking for personalized care.

In this episode of HealthBiz Briefs, Dr. Tryggvi Thorgeirsson, CEO of Sidekick, discusses how they’re reinvigorating digital therapeutics with AI, personalized care, and new strategies for empowering patients.

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.

As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.

🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK
CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.

🎙️⚕️ ABOUT TRYGGVI THORGEIRSSON
Dr. Tryggvi Thorgeirsson, Sidekick's CEO and co-founder, brings a unique blend of medical expertise and engineering knowledge to his role. An accomplished physician and researcher, Thorgeirsson also serves as a guest lecturer at Harvard and MIT, where he speaks on data-driven health and the application of behavioral economics to lifestyle interventions. Additionally, he chairs Iceland’s Technology Innovation Fund and provides strategic advice to the government on innovation and implementation.

🎙️⚕️ ABOUT SIDEKICK HEALTH
The major challenge facing global healthcare systems today is effectively supporting and treating individuals with multiple lifestyle-related diseases. Addressing this issue, Sidekick offers a multi-chronic digital care platform designed to scale product development across all major chronic conditions. Founded by two medical doctors with extensive experience in treating patients with lifestyle-related chronic diseases, Sidekick's vision was to create a technology-driven solution that integrates gamification principles with scientific research and behavioral economics. This approach aims to maximize patient engagement and improve health outcomes through innovative, evidence-based care.

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#healthcare #healthcarepodcast #digitaltherapeutics #healthcareAI #personalizedcare #accesstocare #healthcaretech

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⚙️CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

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With JD Vance recently announced as Trump's running mate, many are seeking answers to where he stands on issues such as the opioid crisis, abortion, access to care, and the overall healthcare industry.

Does his record, opinions, and voting history provide insights into his potential impacts if elected as vice president?

In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll explore how JD Vance’s views could impact his campaign and what a potential vice presidency might mean for the future of healthcare policy and reform.

TOPICS
0:19 Sponsorship
1:24 Who is JD Vance?
2:23 How will JD Vance impact healthcare policy?
4:30 Understanding Vance's views on abortion
5:40 How will Trump's governing style mesh with Vance?
6:57 Understand possible policies on DACA and healthcare
8:08 Vance's history with the opioid crisis
8:59 Why was Vance picked as Trump's running mate
9:41 Revisiting the East Palestine disaster

This episode is brought to you by Matrix Medical Network.

Matrix Medical Network is an independent, at-scale provider of comprehensive in-home health assessments. The company’s national network of nearly 3,000 clinicians delivers comprehensive, personalized care for Medicare Advantage, Managed Medicaid, and Commercial patients across all 50 states.

Care visits include diagnostic testing, risk identification, medication management, and tailored lifestyle improvement plans.

Download Matrix Medical Network's White Paper: "Improving Health Equity Through Whole-Person Care."

🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK
CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.

GET IN TOUCH
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⚙️CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

Send us a text

Recent political events have brought mental and cognitive health into the national spotlight.

As more Americans confront mental health crises, the urgency for both heightened attention and effective treatment solutions has never been greater.

According to MentalHealthAmerica, nearly 20% of adults are currently experiencing a mental illness, which translates to approximately 50 million Americans.

In our latest episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll welcome Patrick J. Kennedy for a compelling discussion on the complex and escalating challenges of mental health in the US, exploring their intersections with current political events and insights from his new book, Profiles in Mental Health Courage.

TOPICS
1:03 Understanding the President's Decision to Step Down
6:00 Holding our Leaders to a Standard of Cognitive Competence
7:50 The Momentous Opportunity of New Mental Health Rulings
12:43 Profiles in Mental Health Courage
14:29 Has the Public Understanding of Mental Health Needs Changed?
17:10 Critical Conversations of Early Treatment Needs
18:45 What is the Role of Employers in Mental Health
21:06 Looking to Global Solutions for Mental Health Treatment
23:50 The Role of Tech in Mental Health Care
26:35 Patrick J Kennedy's Role in Mental Health Advocacy

This episode is brought to you by Matrix Medical Network. 

Matrix Medical Network is an independent, at-scale provider of comprehensive in-home health assessments. The company’s national network of nearly 3,000 clinicians delivers comprehensive, personalized care for Medicare Advantage, Managed Medicaid, and Commercial patients across all 50 states.

Care visits include diagnostic testing, risk identification, medication management, and tailored lifestyle improvement plans.

Download Matrix Medical Network's White Paper: "Improving Health Equity Through Whole-Person Care."

🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALK
CareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.

🎙️⚕️ ABOUT PATRICK J KENNEDY
Patrick Joseph Kennedy II is a retired American politician and mental health advocate. Serving as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Rhode Island's 1st congressional district from 1995 to 2011, Kennedy made history as the first Generation X member elected to Congress.

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⚙️CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.