In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig sits down with Dr. Marion Mass, pediatrician and co-founder of Practicing Physicians of America, to uncover widespread fraud and abuse in the Medicare Advantage program. They break down how insurers use practices like upcoding, assigning patients exaggerated or false diagnoses, to collect billions in taxpayer dollars each year, with UnitedHealthcare highlighted as a major offender. Dr. Mass explains the systemic conflicts of interest, lack of accountability, and the urgent need for audits, penalties, and transparency to protect both patients and federal budgets. The conversation also highlights the importance of informed healthcare choices and explores how direct care models offer a more sustainable alternative. This episode is a must-listen for anyone concerned about Medicare, insurance oversight, and the integrity of America’s healthcare system.

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In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig talks with Dr. Shannon Decker, CEO of VBC One, about what value-based care (VBC) really means and how it differs from traditional fee-for-service models. Dr. Decker explains that VBC focuses on prevention, quality measures, total cost of care, and accurate risk adjustment. She discusses payment approaches like capitation with quality bonuses and highlights the practical needs for success, including strong EMR documentation, risk coding, clinician and patient engagement, interoperable data, and effective workflows. The conversation also covers pitfalls such as underreported chronic conditions, challenges with global risk contracts like ACO REACH, and the importance of contract protections and ongoing education. Dr. Decker emphasizes that with the right systems and trust between clinicians and patients, value-based care can improve outcomes and reduce costs, but it requires careful planning and implementation.

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In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig talks with Dr. Mala Kaul, a board-certified rheumatologist, about the growing crisis in autoimmune care. With too few specialists and rising patient demand, Dr. Kaul explains how rushed appointments and broken incentives are hurting patients. She also explains why early detection, lifestyle changes, and better coordination with primary care are key to improving outcomes. Dr. Kaul also shares why she believes direct specialty care could be the future of autoimmune treatment, giving doctors more time with patients and leading to better results.

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In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig speaks with Shannon Biergans, a longtime nurse practitioner and patient advocate, and John Hsieh, a direct primary care leader, about launching the Michigan chapter of the Free Market Medical Association (FMMA). They discuss how personal experiences and professional frustrations sparked a commitment to healthcare freedom, transparency, and reform. The conversation explores how the FMMA unites diverse stakeholders across healthcare to promote direct primary care, patient advocacy, and community engagement. Shannon and John share grassroots strategies like educational events and employer outreach to grow awareness in Michigan. Together, they emphasize the power of collaboration in building a simpler, more transparent healthcare system.

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In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig talks with Dr. Tom DiLorenzo, President of the Mises Institute, about how Austrian economics can help fix America’s broken healthcare system. They explore how government bureaucracy, inflation, cronyism, and rent-seeking drive up costs and reduce quality, while free market principles like competition and innovation offer a path to reform. Dr. DiLorenzo highlights the role of local initiatives, economic education, and grassroots efforts in creating meaningful healthcare change and emphasizes the need to treat healthcare as a market, not a government-run service.

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In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig talks with Charles Sauer, Founder and President of The Market Institute, about site neutrality, the idea that the same medical service should cost the same no matter where it's delivered. They explore how government price-setting and hospital consolidation are driving up costs, limiting patient access, and distorting the healthcare market. The conversation also looks at how past legislation and lobbying have shaped the current system and why now is the right time to push for change.

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In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig talks with Andrew Newland, Founder & CEO of Direct Primary Care Marketing, about overcoming marketing paralysis in independent healthcare practices. They discuss why many clinics struggle to establish an online presence and how to build a strong foundation with clear messaging and multi-channel strategies. Andrew emphasizes treating your website as a functional tool, not just a visual asset, and highlights the importance of trust in healthcare marketing. The conversation also covers budgeting, effective ad creation, and turning online engagement into real-world patient visits. It's a practical guide for any DPC provider looking to attract and retain more patients.

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In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig introduces a new monthly segment, Practice Makes Perfect, featuring Amanda Compton, Client Services Manager at Freedom Healthworks. Amanda brings her on-the-ground insights from managing DPC practices across the country and dives into the crucial role of communication in patient satisfaction and practice success. Plus, learn how patient expectations around accessibility can make or break your DPC practice, and what you can do about it.

Key takeaways include:

• Why "convenient communication" is essential for patient retention
• The dramatic difference timely responses make in converting leads into members
• How practices can create memorable experiences through small but meaningful follow-ups
• Amanda’s “Operational Gold” tip of the month

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In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig talks with Dr. Michael Havig about the rise of cash pay healthcare models. They explore the inefficiencies in traditional healthcare payment systems, the importance of price transparency, and how Dr. Havig’s company, HealthMe, is helping facilitate direct pay solutions for patients and providers. The conversation covers the challenges and opportunities of implementing cash pay models, as well as the future of direct pay in medical specialties. Dr. Havig also highlights the challenges faced by healthcare providers in navigating legal issues and the necessity for a shift towards patient empowerment in spending healthcare dollars. The episode concludes with Dr. Havig offering advice for physicians considering a transition to cash pay models.

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In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig speaks with Julie Baak, practice manager at the Arthritis Center in St. Louis, about the challenges of patient access to infusion therapy and the manipulative practices of insurance companies. Julie shares her experiences managing a large number of infusion patients and the burdens imposed by insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers. She discusses the role of social media in advocating for patients and how independent clinics can take back control of healthcare. The conversation highlights the need for reform in the healthcare system and the importance of patient-centered care.

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