Date: 7/22/24
Name of podcast: Dr. Patient
Episode title and number: 25 The Disadvantage of Medicare Advantage, Part 2

Episode summary: Part 2 discussing why Medicare Advantage plans are an actual DISadvantage for you and for our country's fiscal system. When you sign up for Medicare, you have a choice of Traditional/Original, Medicare or "Medicare Advantage", which is technically not Medicare and is instead a private health insurance company caring for you on their behalf, like a surrogate. The plans are Uber-restrictive and filled with hidden costs that many people don't recognize until it's too late. They often offer "zero dollar premiums" to lure folks in, then you might have trouble getting back into regular Medicare. Join Alexandra "Al" Eidenberg from The Insurance People, and me to hear all of the details.

Guest(s): Alexandra (Al) Eidenberg, President and Founder of The Insurance People

Key Terms: none

References:
The Insurance People homepage: www.theinsurancepeople.com
How to sign up for Medicare: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/sign-up/how-do-i-sign-up-for-medicare

Podcast website: www.drpatientpodcast.com

Podcast email, become a guest: [email protected]

Date: 6/16/24
Name of podcast: Dr. Patient
Episode title and number: 24 The Disadvantage of Medicare Advantage, Part 1

Episode summary:
Wow, I knew Medicare was complicated but didn't realize just how complicated. I've spent the last few weeks diving deep and was most curious about Medicare Advantage, Part C of Medicare, where beneficiaries can sign up for private health insurance. This week I'll be talking about how bad this is for our federal budget, and how the model simply doesn't work fiscally. Next week, in Part 2, I'll be talking with Al (Alexandra) Eidenberg about why it's also bad for the beneficiaries themselves.

Guest(s): none

Key Terms:
CMS - Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
HMO - Healthcare Maintenance Organization
Beneficiary or Enrollee - the person signing up for a health plan
Fee-for-service - a model of healthcare where a doctor or hospital gives a service and is then paid for it
Capitation - a monthly payment Advantage plans get per patient that are signed up on their plan

References:
Video by Congresspeople Mark Pocan, Jan Schakowsky and Ro Khanna
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
How the Government Updates Payment Rates for Medicare Advantage Plans
Understanding Medicare Advantage Payment
Medicare Advantage Risk Adjustment
US Sues Cigna for fraudulent diagnostic codes
Advantage plans overpaid by about $140 billion over last 12 years
Video: How to Sign up for Medicare
MedicareFAQ: Why Advantage Plans are Bad
Understanding Medicare Advantage Payment

Other podcasts on this topic:
Arm and A Leg
The Real Investment Show

Podcast website: www.drpatientpodcast.com

Podcast email, become a guest: [email protected]

Date: 6/18/24
Name of podcast: Dr. Patient
Episode title and number: 23 In Doctors We Trust

Episode summary: What is trust as it relates to the doctor-patient relationship? How is it fostered when the very healthcare system itself works against it? Why is it important, and what can you do to foster it with your doctor?

Guest(s): none

Key Terms: none

References:
Trust, Race and Risk in American Medicine: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/hast.1080

Patient Trust in Physicians:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1495476/

The importance of building trust in the physician-patient relationship:
https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/the-importance-of-building-trust-in-the-physician-patient-relationship

Physician perspectives on building trust with patients:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hast.1528?af=R

Summary table of survey questions of patients about trust:
https://www.drpatientpodcast.com/blog/eps-22-and-23-doctor-satisfaction-and-trust-in-doctors/

Podcast website: www.drpatientpodcast.com

Podcast email, become a guest: [email protected]

Date: 6/11/24
Name of podcast: Dr. Patient
Episode title and number: 22 Doctors in Distress

Episode summary: The majority of doctors today are dissatisfied with the healthcare system. That's not to say that they don't want to be doctors anymore. It's just that they're fed up with the same system that patients are stuck in and fed up with. It's important that doctors and patients see and understand each other more clearly to strengthen their relationships against the onslaught of external forces that are slowly degrading our health system in the US.

Guest(s): Dr. Karen Leitner

Key Terms: none

References:
Dr. Leitner's site: https://www.karenleitnermd.com/
NYTimes article (might require a sign-in, sorry): https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/15/magazine/doctors-moral-crises.html
Physicians Foundation report: http://physiciansfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/PF23_Brochure-Report_Americas-Physicians_V2b-1-2.pdf

Podcast website: www.drpatientpodcast.com

Podcast email, become a guest: [email protected]

Date: 6/4/24
Name of podcast: Dr. Patient
Episode title and number: 21 How We Learn to Be a Patient, Part 2

Episode summary: Continuing from the end of last season, Ep 12, where I talked with my own daughter about her experience going to an urgent care center alone for the first time, here's the follow up with a group of young women going through similar challenges of trying to understand health insurance, how to make an appointment, how to make healthcare decisions for themselves, and more.

Guest(s): Berit, JeeSoo, Maya, Gabby, Lena and Ashley

Key Terms: none

References: none

Podcast website: www.drpatientpodcast.com

Podcast email, become a guest: [email protected]

Date: 5/28/24
Name of podcast: Dr. Patient
Episode title and number: 20 Short Stories on Being a Patient

Episode summary:
I have this never-ending quest to help doctors and patients understand each other better. This collection of short stories on what it's like to be a patient are meant to do just that. These are a few years old - I wrote them when I had breast cancer in 2020-2021 and went through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Hope they paint a realistic picture for you.

Guest(s): none

Key Terms: none

References: none

Podcast website: www.drpatientpodcast.com

Podcast email, become a guest: [email protected]

Date: 5/21/24
Name of podcast: Dr. Patient
Episode title and number: 19 US Drug Costs Are Insane, Part 2

Episode summary: Part 2 follows the last episode, where I reviewed how we got to where we are with insane drug costs in the US and a bit on how the Pharma system works. This week I did a deep dive on how someone can save on their medication costs. I review some cost comparing websites, online pharmacies, direct discounts from manufacturers and more.

Guest(s): none

Key Terms: none

References:
Convoluted drug cost diagram from last episode: https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2023/12/14/pharmacy-benefit-managers-the-middleman-that-decides-what-you-pay-for-medications
How to shop around: https://www.webmd.com/health-insurance/features/medication-shop-around
How does a place like GoodRx work: https://support.goodrx.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004944026-What-is-GoodRx-How-does-it-work
Ozempic.com with discounts and coupon info: https://www.ozempic.com/savings-and-resources/save-on-ozempic.html?utm_medium=banner&utm_source=goodrx&utm_campaign=trizone&utm_content=wstpay25&utm_id=nmtDC00004081
General ideas on how to save: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/personal-finance/save-money-on-prescription-drugs/
How Medicare drug costs work: https://www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d/costs-for-medicare-drug-coverage
Getting help with Medicare drug costs: https://www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d/costs-for-medicare-drug-coverage/costs-in-the-coverage-gap/5-ways-to-get-help-with-prescription-costs
Overview of Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefits: https://www.kff.org/medicare/fact-sheet/an-overview-of-the-medicare-part-d-prescription-drug-benefit/

Cost comparing websites:
GoodRx
RxSaver
WebMDRx
RxPriceQuotes
SingleCare
NeedyMeds

Online pharmacies:
HoneybeeHealth
DiRX
Mark Cuban’s CostPlus Drugs
Marley Drug

Podcast website: www.drpatientpodcast.com

Podcast email, become a guest: [email protected]

Date: 5/07/24
Name of podcast: Dr. Patient
Episode title and number: 18 US Drug Costs Are Insane, Part 1

Episode summary: Wow, drug costs in the US have skyrocket in recent years. The popularity of Ozempic and other weight loss drugs have really brought this issue into the light lately. Why do our drugs cost so much more than the same medications sold in other countries? How is the system set up? Who sets the list price? Hear answers to all these questions and more in this episode, part 1 of a 2 part series. 

Guest(s): none

Key Terms: none

References:
CONVOLUTED DIAGRAM OF US DRUG COSTS: https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2023/12/14/pharmacy-benefit-managers-the-middleman-that-decides-what-you-pay-for-medications
Flow of Money Through the Pharmaceutical Distribution System: https://healthpolicy.usc.edu/research/flow-of-money-through-the-pharmaceutical-distribution-system/
Why do your prescription drugs cost so much: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/why-do-your-prescription-drugs-cost-so-much-202401183007
Prescription Drug Payment Policy: Past, Present and Future: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4193453/
Here's How Much More Ozempic Costs in the U.S. Compared to Other Countries: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/heres-how-much-more-ozempic-costs-in-the-u-s-compared-to-other-countries
Bernie Sanders's letter to Novo Nordisk CEO: https://www.sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Letter-from-Sen.-Bernard-Sanders-to-Novo-Nordisk.pdf
Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Industry: Definition: https://www.investopedia.com/articles/markets/070215/what-pharmacy-benefit-management-industry.asp
Acquired podcast episode that I mentioned on Novo Nordisk: https://www.acquired.fm/episodes/novo-nordisk-ozempic

Podcast website: www.drpatientpodcast.com

Podcast email, become a guest: [email protected]

Date: 4/30/24
Name of podcast: Dr. Patient
Episode title and number: 17 Big Hospital Break Up

Episode summary: I’m breaking up with my hospital. I live in Chicago, with its plethora of academic medical centers. I’ve long believed that these are generally good places to receive healthcare, but I’ve become exhausted at how hard I have to work to receive the actual care. As a retired physician, and a daughter and sister of physicians, I cannot help but to speak out about the troubling way that today’s healthcare is being practiced. I did not name the hospital out of respect, but I’ll be sending them a copy of this break up letter, and also releasing it as a mini-episode on my podcast, Dr. Patient.  

Guest(s): none

Key Terms: none

References: none

Podcast website: www.drpatientpodcast.com

Podcast email, become a guest: [email protected]

Date: 4/23/24
Name of podcast: Dr. Patient
Episode title and number: 16 Race and Healthcare: Teaching Med Students

Episode summary: Episode 3 of 3 of a miniseries on racial disparities in healthcare. We've heard from Linda Villarosa on how we got to where we are today and what some of the harsh realities of health disparities are, from Michael Tyler on a real life story of how his race actually impacted his care. Today we're pivoting towards solutions as I speak with Dr. Patricia Poitevien, Associate Dean at Brown University's medical school on how to teach this stuff to the next generation of physicians.

Guest(s): Dr. Patricia Poitevien, Senior Associate Dean of Diversity, Inclusion & Equity at Brown University's medical school. https://diversity.biomed.brown.edu/people/patricia-poitevien-md-msc-faap

Key Terms:
[22:57] MCAT - Medical College Admission Test; the test that college students take to be able to apply for medical school
[22:58] STEP - the examination that medical students take close to the end of school to be able to apply for residency training
[32:48] FTE - full time equivalent - 1.0 means a full time job

References: none

Podcast website: www.drpatientpodcast.com

Podcast email, become a guest: [email protected]