In this timely episode of What's Best For The Patient Is Best For Business, host Jerry Durham is joined by two powerhouse voices in healthcare: Angela Diaz, PT, VP of Market Development at TailorCare, and Dana Strauss, PT, DPT, a physical therapist turned health policy strategist.

Recorded in the wake of CMS's monumental 2025 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule, this conversation is a masterclass in translating complex policy into actionable business strategy. Jerry, Angela, and Dana dissect the new regulations and mandatory models, moving beyond the headlines of reimbursement cuts to uncover the significant opportunities hidden within for forward-thinking physical therapy practices.

They break down the new ambulatory specialty model for low back pain, the WISER model aimed at reducing wasteful spending, and the TEAM model holding hospitals accountable for 30-day post-discharge care. The discussion provides a clear roadmap for PTs to pivot from being siloed service providers to becoming indispensable, collaborative partners in a value-based care system.

Key Takeaways:

• Why the conversion factor is only a small piece of the reimbursement puzzle and how PTs/OTs were inadvertently grouped with specialists, leading to a potential negative impact.

• How to leverage data to demonstrate your value to physicians and health systems participating in new mandatory models (like the ambulatory specialty model for low back pain), making you a sought-after partner instead of an ancillary service.

• The critical difference between capitation and true value-based care, and why attaching your payment to quality outcomes is the only sustainable path forward.

• A practical strategy for engaging referring physicians by focusing on their pain points and asking, "What can I do to help you be successful in this new model?"

• Why the future of PT isn't about doing less but about providing the right care at the right time—including phone calls, remote monitoring, and self-care guidance—to improve outcomes and reduce the total cost of care for a population.

Tune in for an empowering conversation that will change your perspective from one of uncertainty to one of opportunity, proving that by focusing on collaboration and patient outcomes, you can future-proof your practice and thrive in the new landscape of healthcare.

If you'd like to learn more about Strata EMR & RCM and achieving a 99.99% reimbursement rate for your PT, OT, or SLP Clinic head over to stratapt.com and book a demo with their team!

In this episode of What’s Best for the Patient Is Best for Business, Jerry welcomes back Angela Diaz, PT, VP of Market Development at TailorCare, to move from the “why” to the “how” of value-based musculoskeletal care.

They dive deep into the operational engine of TailorCare, a risk-based care navigation company that partners directly with payers to manage the entire MSK journey. Angela breaks down exactly how patients enter their system—through both inbound referrals from network providers and outbound, predictive data analytics that identify members at high risk for surgery months in advance.

Jerry and Angela explore the crucial performance metrics that define a "high-value" physical therapy partner in this new landscape, from risk-adjusted cost per episode and patient outcomes to timely access and reducing low-value care. This episode is a masterclass in future-proofing your practice, emphasizing that the transition to value-based care isn't a distant threat—it's an opportunity happening now.

Key Takeaways:

• The Payer-Partnered Model: Learn how TailorCare operates "at the top of the funnel" by taking on risk from payers and why collaboration is grouped by payer network (e.g., Humana) rather than by individual provider relationships.

• Data is the New Currency: Discover how performance data—like risk-adjusted visit counts, patient outcomes, and avoidance of low-value care—is used to identify and partner with top-tier physical therapy practices and orthopedic groups.

• Inbound vs. Outbound Patient Engagement: Understand the two primary pathways: inbound referrals from PCPs and orthopedists, and outbound predictive outreach to high-risk members to guide them to the right care before they need costly interventions.

If you'd like to learn more about Strata EMR & RCM and achieving a 99.99% reimbursement rate for your PT, OT, or SLP Clinic head over to stratapt.com and book a demo with their team!

In this episode of What’s Best For The Patient Is Best For Business, Jerry sits down with Dr. Todd Norwood, Senior Director of Clinical Services at Omada Health, a virtual care platform specializing in chronic disease management. With a background as a board-certified orthopedic and sports physical therapist, Todd shares his journey from traditional clinical practice to the forefront of digital health innovation—including his role in co-founding Physera, a telehealth startup later acquired by Omada.

Jerry and Todd dive deep into the critical role of patient engagement in modern healthcare, exploring how technology can enhance outcomes while maintaining high-quality care. Todd breaks down key insights from his research, revealing how simple actions—like regular messaging between visits—can compound into significant improvements in patient adherence and clinical results. They also discuss the importance of data in proving value, the evolving landscape of telehealth, and why physical therapists must embrace digital tools to stay ahead.

Key Takeaways:

• Patient engagement drives outcomes: Each additional weekly message from a PT increases patient compliance with home exercises by 11%—and these effects multiply over time.

• Early intervention matters: Starting care within 24 hours of sign-up boosts long-term engagement and success.

• Tech is just a tool: The real skill lies in knowing when and how to use digital platforms to enhance—not replace—clinical expertise.

• Data is non-negotiable: Accreditation and payer trust require proof of impact. PTs must measure outcomes rigorously to demonstrate their value.

• The patient’s core needs: Clear diagnosis, prognosis, and defined roles (patient + provider) are the foundation of trust and retention.

Todd’s research underscores a powerful truth: what’s best for patients is best for business. Whether you’re a clinician, practice owner, or healthcare innovator, this episode is packed with actionable insights to elevate care delivery in the digital age.

🔗 Read Todd’s research on patient engagement here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9214340/

If you'd like to learn more about Strata EMR & RCM and achieving a 99.99% reimbursement rate for your PT, OT, or SLP Clinic head over to stratapt.com and book a demo with their team!

In this insightful episode of What’s Best For The Patient Is Best For Business, Jerry sits down with Dr. Monique Caruth—home health physical therapist, entrepreneur, and founder of Caruth Staffing Agency. Dr. Caruth shares her inspiring journey from starting as a solo clinician to building a thriving home health business rooted in quality care, strong relationships, and intentional leadership.

Key Takeaways:

• The Power of Trust & Letting Go – Dr. Caruth discusses the challenges of transitioning from clinician to CEO, learning to delegate, and trusting her team to uphold her business’s mission.

• Culture Over Scale – Why prioritizing emotional intelligence and soft skills in hiring leads to better patient care and team longevity—even if it means saying no to rapid growth.

• Resilience in Business – From losing major contracts to overcoming health setbacks, Dr. Caruth reveals how adversity refined her focus on what truly differentiates her agency.

• The Value of Authentic Connections – Why saying "yes" to mentoring others and staying open to learning from every interaction can be pivotal to a person’s success.

Tune in for a masterclass in building a purpose-driven business that balances compassion with strategy—and discover why Dr. Caruth believes your struggles could be someone else’s survival guide.

If you'd like to learn more about Strata EMR & RCM and achieving a 99.99% reimbursement rate for your PT, OT, or SLP Clinic head over to stratapt.com and book a demo with their team!

In this episode of What’s Best For The Patient Is Best For Business, Jerry sits down with Dr. Alex Chan Yoon, founder of EverEx, and Ellen Morello, PT, DPT, U.S. General Manager for EverEx, to discuss how their Remote Therapeutic Monitoring platform is revolutionizing patient engagement and rehabilitation.

Alex shares the inspiring story behind EverEx—born from his frustration as an orthopedic surgeon seeing patients struggle with post-surgical rehab compliance. Recognizing the gap in care, he developed EverEx to bridge the divide between clinic-based therapy and at-home recovery, ensuring patients stay engaged and accountable.

Ellen dives into the platform’s user-friendly features, including personalized exercise programs, real-time feedback, and automated patient-provider communication—all designed to improve adherence and outcomes. She highlights how EverEx empowers clinicians to monitor progress, adjust care plans, and deliver high-value care beyond the clinic walls.

Key Takeaways:

• Patient-Centered Design: EverEx was built by clinicians, for clinicians, with a focus on improving rehab adherence and outcomes.

• Seamless Integration: The platform simplifies workflows—bundling exercises, tracking compliance, and automating check-ins—without adding extra burden to providers.

• Data-Driven Results: Research shows that remote monitoring leads to better recovery rates, reduced no-shows, and stronger patient-provider relationships.

• Beyond Billing: While RTM codes offer financial benefits, the real value lies in delivering better care—keeping patients motivated and connected throughout their rehab journey.

Tune in to learn how EverEx is helping clinics enhance patient outcomes while optimizing business success—because what’s best for the patient truly is best for business.

🔗 Learn more: everex.kr/en

If you'd like to learn more about Strata EMR & RCM and achieving a 99.99% reimbursement rate for your PT, OT, or SLP Clinic head over to stratapt.com and book a demo with their team!

In this episode of What's Best For The Patient Is Best For Business, Jerry sits down with Patrick Tarnowski, PT, MBA, Chief Commercial Officer of OneStep, a groundbreaking mobile app that measures key mobility data to help identify fall risks and improve patient outcomes.

Patrick shares his extensive background in physical therapy, healthcare administration, and payer-side insights, emphasizing the critical role of objective mobility data in improving patient care and business success. He dives into how OneStep leverages smartphone sensors to analyze gait and movement, providing real-time insights that enhance clinical decision-making, reduce fall risks, and even optimize post-surgical recovery.

Key Takeaways:

• Gait as a Vital Sign: Mobility data is a powerful predictor of health risks—slower gait speed correlates with higher fall risk, mortality, and cognitive decline.

• Seamless Workflow Integration: OneStep fits naturally into existing care models, using devices patients already own (smartphones) to capture actionable data without extra burden.

• Remote Monitoring & Value-Based Care: The app enables providers to track patients remotely, bill for remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM), and justify extended care with insurers using objective metrics.

• Proving Impact: With tools like OneStep, clinics can demonstrate reduced hospital readmissions, shorter skilled nursing stays, and improved outcomes—key for payer negotiations and value-based contracts.

• Expanding Opportunities: From senior living communities to orthotics/prosthetics and cancer rehab, mobility analytics is transforming care delivery across healthcare.

Tune in to learn how leveraging technology doesn’t mean more work—it means better care, stronger data, and smarter business growth.

🔗 Connect with Patrick: [email protected] | Visit: onestep.co

If you'd like to learn more about Strata EMR & RCM and achieving a 99.99% reimbursement rate for your PT, OT, or SLP Clinic head over to stratapt.com and book a demo with their team!

In this episode of What’s Best For The Patient Is Best For Business, Jerry is joined by executive coach Steve Allred for a thought-provoking discussion on why understanding your healthcare practice’s current operations is the key to navigating—and thriving in—a rapidly changing industry.

Six months after their last conversation, Jerry and Steve revisit the critical need for practice owners to optimize their businesses before adding new revenue streams, technology, or expansion strategies. From financial literacy to efficient systems and leadership delegation, they break down the foundational elements that allow clinic owners to adapt to industry shifts—whether it’s value-based care, direct-to-employer models, or AI integration.

Key Takeaways:

• Master Your Metrics: If you don’t understand your financials, workflows, and key performance indicators, you’re unprepared for change—and risk being left behind.

• Systems Over Hustle: You can’t scale or innovate if you’re bogged down by day-to-day operations. Build systems that free up your time to lead and strategize.

• Adapt or Get Replaced: Complaining about insurers, regulations, or competitors won’t move the needle. The future belongs to those who leverage technology, data, and new care models proactively.

• Opportunity in Disruption: From hybrid care to primary care PT, those who embrace change (instead of resisting it) will find untapped revenue and impact.

Steve also shares a free financial tool to help practice owners model the true cost and ROI of hiring a new clinician—because decisions should be driven by data, not fear.

Whether you’re a solo practitioner or a multi-clinic owner, this episode is a wake-up call: Get your house in order now, or risk being outpaced by those who do.

Check out Steve's customizable financial model at this link: https://subscribepage.io/9jHCI8

Website: practicefreedomu.com
Email: [email protected]

If you'd like to learn more about Strata EMR & RCM and achieving a 99.99% reimbursement rate for your PT, OT, or SLP Clinic head over to stratapt.com and book a demo with their team!

In this solo episode of What’s Best For The Patient Is Best For Business, Jerry recaps his experience at the Future of Rehab Therapy Summit 2025, hosted by the APTA. This episode is a deep dive into Jerry’s key takeaways from the event, where thought leaders gathered to discuss the evolving landscape of rehab therapy.

Jerry shares his biggest insights, including the undeniable impact of AI on the healthcare industry—emphasizing that AI will replace those who don’t understand their role’s value in the broader workflow. He challenges listeners to become "AI management agents," mastering their workflows to stay ahead of automation. Another critical takeaway? The need to shift focus beyond just providers and embrace the entire care team—including patients, front desk staff, and billing specialists—to drive meaningful change in the industry.

From discussions on AI-powered billing and patient engagement to the importance of preventing problems before they arise (rather than just managing them), Jerry leaves no stone unturned. He also reflects on the inspiring conversations he had with industry leaders like Michael Silva, Alex Bendersky, and even the legendary Stanley Paris.

Tune in for a thought-provoking episode that will push you to rethink your role, leverage AI strategically, and prioritize the patient journey in every aspect of your business.

Key Takeaways:

• AI is here to stay—and it will replace those who don’t understand their workflow’s value.
• Become an "AI management agent" by mastering your role and integrating AI where it enhances efficiency.
• Focus on the entire care team, not just providers, to unlock untapped potential in patient care.
• Prevent problems upstream—don’t just react to them—to save time and improve outcomes.
• Adapt quickly—the future belongs to those who embrace change and learn from mistakes early.

Don’t miss this energizing recap packed with actionable insights for rehab therapy professionals and healthcare leaders alike!

If you'd like to learn more about Strata EMR & RCM and achieving a 99.99% reimbursement rate for your PT, OT, or SLP Clinic head over to stratapt.com and book a demo with their team!

In this solo episode of What's Best For The Patient Is Best For Business, Jerry dives into Part 2 of the Front Desk Selling Series, focusing on the power of permission-based questions during initial patient phone calls. This episode is all about sharing his expert insights on refining front desk communication to improve patient engagement and conversion.

Building on the foundational concept of acknowledgment (covered in Part 1), Jerry explains how permission-based questions help control the conversation while making the caller feel heard and valued. He breaks down real-world examples, demonstrating how to steer discussions away from premature cost inquiries and toward understanding the patient’s needs, ultimately leading to better outcomes for both the patient and the business.

Key Takeaways:

• Control the conversation by asking the most questions—the person guiding the dialogue shapes the process and results.

• Permission-based questions build trust by signaling active listening and putting the patient’s input at the center.

• Defer cost discussions strategically by acknowledging the question, then redirecting to the patient’s goals first.

• Practical scripts for front desk staff to seamlessly integrate acknowledgment and permission-based questioning into calls.

Whether you're a clinic owner, front desk staffer, or just looking to improve patient interactions, this episode is packed with actionable techniques to turn phone inquiries into scheduled appointments. Tune in, take notes, and start implementing these strategies today!

If you'd like to learn more about Strata EMR & RCM and achieving a 99.99% reimbursement rate for your PT, OT, or SLP Clinic head over to stratapt.com and book a demo with their team!

In this solo episode of What's Best For The Patient Is Best For Business, Jerry dives into the critical first step of front desk sales—acknowledgement—during initial patient phone calls. As Part 1 of his Front Desk Sales Series, Jerry shares invaluable insights from his 15 years of experience, emphasizing how early interactions shape a patient’s entire journey.

Key Takeaways:

• The Golden Moment: When a potential patient reaches out, the first 30 seconds of the call set the tone for trust, expectations, and long-term retention.

• Power of Acknowledgement: Simply repeating back what the caller says (e.g., "Hi Jerry, I’m sorry to hear about your back pain—we help a lot of people with that!") signals that your practice is different and builds immediate rapport.

• Control the Conversation: Proper acknowledgement prevents callers from derailing the discussion and guides them toward scheduling—without feeling rushed or ignored.

• Prevent Problems Early: Many cancellations and no-shows can be avoided by mastering this initial step, as it aligns patient expectations from the start.

Jerry breaks down real-world examples, revealing common pitfalls and actionable scripts to transform your front desk’s phone game. Whether you’re a clinic owner or a front desk team member, this episode is packed with strategies to turn inquiries into loyal patients.

Tune in and learn why this simple skill—listening and acknowledging—can be your most powerful sales tool.

Listen now and stay tuned for Part 2!

If you'd like to learn more about Strata EMR & RCM and achieving a 99.99% reimbursement rate for your PT, OT, or SLP Clinic head over to stratapt.com and book a demo with their team!