What will healthcare look like in 2026—and how will it impact physicians and patients? This episode reveals the strategies insurance giants and policymakers are deploying, and what it means for your practice and community.

Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley discuss Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, and why the payers are going to push on provider groups to take pay cuts.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

In this episode of Inside Healthcare, Matthew Handley and Ron Howrigon delve into the complexities of healthcare costs and insurance denials. They discuss the financial incentives that drive insurance companies to deny claims and Ron's recent appearance on ‪CBS Sunday Morning‬ .Listen: Matthew and Ron talk to Dr. Dan Hurley about his cancer diagnosis and subsequent insurance denials

Watch: Why do insurance companies deny prior authorizations? Ron Howrigon explains on CBS Sunday Morning

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

On this episode of Inside Healthcare, Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley discuss the Affordable Care Act subsidies that were at the heart of the record long government shutdown. What do they do? Who are they for? And is it really “free” healthcare? All questions Ron and Matthew answer. Plus they take a look at a reform plan from Oscar Health CEO Mark Bertolini.

LIVE stock prices:

Oscar Health - $OSCR

Listen wherever you get your podcast or watch us on Substack and YouTube.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

Join Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley as they break down the latest in healthcare costs during the ongoing government shutdown. In this episode, they explore four GOP-backed compromise solutions and what they mean for consumers, while analyzing why fully insured plan premiums are projected to rise by 11%. Stay informed on healthcare trends, policy updates, and practical insights for navigating rising insurance costs.

Articles mentioned in this program:

US Health Insurers Face Rising Uncertainty from ACA Subsidy Expiration - Fitch Ratings

4 GOP ideas for an Obamacare subsidies compromise - POLITICO

How much and why premiums are going up for small businesses in 2026 - Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker

Listen wherever you get your podcast or watch us on Substack and YouTube.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

The US Senate could not agree on a budget and as a result, the government has entered a partial shutdown. We’ll talk about what healthcare spending will continue and what problems may arise at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Plus: What are those Affordable Care Act subsidies that Democrats are so concerned about?

Listen wherever you get your podcast or watch us on Substack and YouTube.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

Fulcrum Strategies President and CEO Ron Howrigon breaks down the problems with the "Make America Healthy Again" (or MAHA) movement. It's not that the goals and sentiment aren't good; it's that the process is extremely flawed.

Listen wherever you get your podcast or watch us on Substack and YouTube.

Learn more about what Fulcrum Strategies can do for your practice at FSDOC.com.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley are back with healthcare analysis and discussion on Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum Strategies.

In this episode, Ron and Matthew discuss claims by current Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. that there are no impending cuts to Medicaid and what physicians are really facing as a result of the Big Beautiful Bill. They also discuss the sudden change to Medicaid reimbursement in North Carolina.

Listen wherever you get your podcast or watch us on Substack and YouTube.

LIVE STOCK PRICES:

UnitedHealth Group: $UNH Elevance: $ELV CVS: $CVS Cigna: $CI Humana: $HUM Molina: $MOH

Learn more about what Fulcrum Strategies can do for your practice at FSDOC.com.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

The week on the FLATLINING Podcast, Matthew and Ron discuss several payer issues in the news including the firm "we're not for sale" by BlueCross BlueShield of Louisana, payers being fined by states, and the rare instance of an insurance company doing good for the community.

Further reading:
New Blue Cross CEO talks prospects of future sale, staying competitive - Greater Baton Rouge Business Report
9 payers recently fined by states - Becker's Payer Issues
Priority Health offering free telehealth to the uninsured - Becker's Payer Issues
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Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn.
Follow Ron on LinkedIn.
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Fulcrum Strategies is a healthcare consulting firm specializing in payer contract negotiation and strategic planning for physician practices.  Our firm has helped over 5,000 physicians in groups of all sizes and specialties across the country to significantly improve their contract language and reimbursement rates, strategically plan for the future, and achieve business success.  Learn more at FSDOC.com.

The week on the FLATLINING Podcast, Matthew and Ron discuss the roll healthcare might play in the 2024 presidential election.  Healthcare has made appeances at this week's Democratic National Convention in Chicago.  Will it sway voters?

Further reading:
Harris isn’t pushing Medicare for All anymore. Progressives say that’s OK. - Politico
Abortion rights and drug pricing program take spotlight at first night of DNC - STAT
Sally Pipes: How the GOP can get tough on health care - Boston Herald
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Subscribe to the FLATLINING Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the iHeartRadio app, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pandora, TuneIn, and Audible.
---
Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn.
Follow Ron on LinkedIn.
---
Fulcrum Strategies is a healthcare consulting firm specializing in payer contract negotiation and strategic planning for physician practices.  Our firm has helped over 5,000 physicians in groups of all sizes and specialties across the country to significantly improve their contract language and reimbursement rates, strategically plan for the future, and achieve business success.  Learn more at FSDOC.com.

This week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Matthew Handley and Ron Howrigon discuss the life of the late Dr. Dan Hurley with his wife Dr. Traci Hurley, his sister Christine, and his brother Tom. They shared memories of his life and why he fought so hard for transparency in our healthcare system.

Matthew and Ron spoke to Dr. Hurley last year on the FLATLINING Podcast after he was diagnosed with dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma and his insurance company had denied payment for radiology scans that would have aided his treatment.

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Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to podcasts and have every episode delivered to your email by subscribing at www.FLATLINING.net.
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Dan Hurley, M.D. Endowment Fund - CS Foundation
The Story of Dr. Dan Hurley - Ron Howrigon at FLATLINING.net
CLICK HERE to listen to our original conversation with Dr. Hurley

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Subscribe to the FLATLINING Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the iHeartRadio app, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pandora, TuneIn, and Audible.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net