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Coupon-Style Insurance: What It Actually Covers
What if your health insurance works more like a Bed Bath & Beyond coupon than a true safety net?
In this episode of The Talking Rehab Podcast, Dr. Fred Bagares, DO—Sports & Spine specialist and founder of MSK Direct Virginia Beach—breaks down why even the best insurance plan often leaves you paying more, waiting longer, and still not getting the care that matters most.
Through the story of Nate, a weekend pickleball player whose shoulder injury led him through the endless maze of copays, prior authorizations, and denials, you’ll see how the “coupon system” in healthcare rewards transactions—not outcomes.
Dr. Bagares explains why direct-care models are changing the game for people who want clarity, access, and results—not just coverage.
If you’ve ever wondered why your MRI, PT, or specialist visit feels like checking a box instead of getting better, this episode will help you understand what you’re really paying for—and when it’s worth stepping outside the insurance coupon aisle.
🕰 Timestamps + Key Themes
[00:00] The coupon analogy – why insurance feels like a discount that never applies
[01:00] Nate’s story – from shoulder pain to four months of red tape
[03:00] How “in-network” limits real choice and quality of care
[05:00] The fine print – what’s excluded even when you’re “covered”
[06:00] Prior authorizations and hidden hoops
[07:00] The illusion of savings – why EOB discounts aren’t real deals
[08:00] What insurance rarely covers: clarity, speed, and commitment
[09:00] Direct-care contrast – 90-minute visits, diagnostic ultrasound, PRP, shockwave
[10:00] How to use insurance for catastrophe—and care for recovery
[11:00] Two truths: Insurance protects • Direct care delivers
[11:30] Closing reflection – Stop letting a coupon decide your recovery
If this episode helped you see healthcare differently, hit subscribe and share it with someone stuck in the insurance maze.
For Clarity Visits and advanced treatment options like PRP, Shockwave Therapy, or Magnetic Peripheral Nerve Stimulation, visit
👉 MSKDirectVB.com or FredBagares.com.
Support the show
View all episodes
By Fred BagaresWhat if your health insurance works more like a Bed Bath & Beyond coupon than a true safety net?
In this episode of The Talking Rehab Podcast, Dr. Fred Bagares, DO—Sports & Spine specialist and founder of MSK Direct Virginia Beach—breaks down why even the best insurance plan often leaves you paying more, waiting longer, and still not getting the care that matters most.
Through the story of Nate, a weekend pickleball player whose shoulder injury led him through the endless maze of copays, prior authorizations, and denials, you’ll see how the “coupon system” in healthcare rewards transactions—not outcomes.
Dr. Bagares explains why direct-care models are changing the game for people who want clarity, access, and results—not just coverage.
If you’ve ever wondered why your MRI, PT, or specialist visit feels like checking a box instead of getting better, this episode will help you understand what you’re really paying for—and when it’s worth stepping outside the insurance coupon aisle.
🕰 Timestamps + Key Themes
[00:00] The coupon analogy – why insurance feels like a discount that never applies
[01:00] Nate’s story – from shoulder pain to four months of red tape
[03:00] How “in-network” limits real choice and quality of care
[05:00] The fine print – what’s excluded even when you’re “covered”
[06:00] Prior authorizations and hidden hoops
[07:00] The illusion of savings – why EOB discounts aren’t real deals
[08:00] What insurance rarely covers: clarity, speed, and commitment
[09:00] Direct-care contrast – 90-minute visits, diagnostic ultrasound, PRP, shockwave
[10:00] How to use insurance for catastrophe—and care for recovery
[11:00] Two truths: Insurance protects • Direct care delivers
[11:30] Closing reflection – Stop letting a coupon decide your recovery
If this episode helped you see healthcare differently, hit subscribe and share it with someone stuck in the insurance maze.
For Clarity Visits and advanced treatment options like PRP, Shockwave Therapy, or Magnetic Peripheral Nerve Stimulation, visit
👉 MSKDirectVB.com or FredBagares.com.
Support the show