Podcasts about caretalk

Send us a textEmployers struggle with rising healthcare costs, and their usual approach is to work with a bevy of vendors, including insurers, provider networks, point solution providers, and HR supply chain vendors. But these vendors are awfully hard to optimize and costs seem to keep on climbing.In this episode of the HealthBiz Podcast, David Neikrug, CEO of Optimatum Solutions, joins host, David E. Williams, to explain how poor vendor management fuels rising employer healthcare costs and what to do about it.

Send us a textWhat if better care starts with more trust and understanding?In this episode of CareTalk, Violet CEO Gaurang Choksi joins John Driscoll to explore why care can't be one-size-fits-all and what happens when providers actually understand the identities and experiences of the people they treat. Drawing from his journey as a gay immigrant and early leader at Oscar Health, Gaurang shares how culturally competent care leads to stronger relationships and better outcomes for the patients who've long felt unseen.

Send us a textThe FDA is charging ahead with generative AI, claiming it can cut scientific review times from days to minutes. But is this innovation or recklessness? In this episode of CareTalk, David Williams and John Driscoll debate whether the FDA's rapid deployment of AI is a smart move or a potentially dangerous shortcut.Stream our episode with FDA leader, Dr. Marty Makary, here. 

Send us a textEntrepreneurs are addressing problems in US healthcare like access to primary care, but they need mentors and investors to scale up and make a real impact. Private equity has some bad connotations, especially in healthcare delivery. Why is that and what are investors doing to prove their worth?Ariez Dustoor, Partner at NB Group Investors, joins us to talk about what thoughtful, long-term health care investing actually looks like—from scaling prevention-first primary care to avoiding the pitfalls that have plagued bigger players.

Send us a textObesity is a pressing and complex challenge. GLP-1 meds are a game changer, but on their own, they may just bankrupt insurers without doing a whole lot to improve health. Can we build a better system for weight management that's clinically sound cost effective and scalable?In this episode of the HealthBiz Podcast, we're joined by Elina Onitskansky, Founder & CEO of Ilant Health. Elina explains why the current approach to obesity care is broken and how Ilant Health is making treatment more accessible by making it affordable, available, and accepted through value-based care.

Talk 1: Maria Mury, Cancer Institute New South Wales: CINSW, supporting clinical trials and cancer careTalk 2: Dr Matthew Krebs, Manchester Cancer Research Centre: Practical aspects on new generation precision medicine in 2025

Send us a textIn this episode of the HealthBiz Podcast, host David Williams sits down with Terry Myerson, CEO and co-founder of Truveta, to explore how aggregated electronic medical record (EMR) data can drive groundbreaking insights in clinical research, drug development, and healthcare innovation. Terry shares his journey from mechanical engineering to tech entrepreneurship, his years at Microsoft, and how Truveta is using data to improve patient outcomes and save lives.

Send us a textMeasles is making a comeback, and with it comes a heated debate on vaccine mandates, public health, and personal freedom. In this episode of CareTalk, Michael F. Cannon (Director of Health Policy Studies, Cato Institute) joins hosts, David E. Williams and John Driscoll, to debate the challenges of balancing individual rights with public safety, why vaccine mandates can backfire, and how misinformation fuels the controversy. 

Send us a textIs smarter decision support the key to unlocking value-based success?In this episode of the HealthBiz Podcast, Thaddeus Fulford-Jones, CEO of Radial, joins host David Williams to explore how Radial's AI-powered decision support software merges cutting-edge data science with clinical best practices to enhance patient outcomes, reduce costs, and optimize value-based provider operations.Thaddeus Fulford-Jones' book recommendation: Reservations for Nine by Dr. George Beauregard

Send us a textIn this episode of CareTalk, John Driscoll sits down with Oron Afek, CEO of Vim, to discuss how Vim is transforming healthcare by creating a smarter, more connected ecosystem for doctors and patients. Oron shares his entrepreneurial journey, from his early days in the Israeli military to building a healthcare platform that integrates seamlessly with electronic health records (EHRs) to improve clinical decision-making. Learn how Vim's technology is helping doctors make better decisions at the point of care, streamlining workflows, and driving better patient outcomes, all while empowering developers to build innovative healthcare solutions.

The HealthBiz podcast is moving to the CareTalk: Healthcare Unfiltered Channel. From now on, when you want to listen to HealthBiz, head over to one of these links:Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2GTYhbNnvDHriDp7Xo9s6ZApple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caretalk-healthcare-unfiltered/id1532402352YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CareTalkPodcastCareTalk website  https://www.caretalkpodcast.com/ I launched the Health Business Blog exactly 20 years ago, on March 1, 2005 to provide my perspectives on healthcare business and policy. I wrote thousands of posts and started sprinkling in audio interviews with healthcare CEOs in 2007 –long before the podcast boom.  My blog became very popular and as a result I even switched the name of my healthcare consulting firm to Health Business Group to take advantage of the blog's brand equity.The biggest podcast highlight of that era came in 2014, when I interviewed all 9 candidates for Governor of Massachusetts about their plans for healthcare. It was my goal to help elevate the political debate.In 2017, I started co-hosting the CareTalk podcast with John Driscoll, then CEO of CareCentrix and now Chairman of the UConn Health System. We recorded monthly, in-person and experimented with a variety of formats.When the pandemic arrived, John and I switched to remote recording and began taping weekly. There was so much to discuss about COVID-19 and we made the most of it. Our producer, Vincent Grippi masterfully built up our show to one of the top few on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.Meanwhile, I also shifted the Health Business Blog to an all-podcast format in September 2020, about six months into the pandemic, with Dafna Williams taking over as producer. I called it the HealthBiz podcast and we released a new episode every week on all the major audio channels plus YouTube. We're now well over 200 episodes.In 2024, we tested out the idea of melding HealthBiz and CareTalk by adding HealthBiz Briefs to the CareTalk channel. The experiment was a success, generating substantial engagement.In 2025, we're going all the way by moving all of HealthBiz over to CareTalk. You can listen or subscribe using the links in the show notes.You'll now have the chance to experience HealthBiz along with a bunch of great CareTalk content, including one -on-one shows with John and me, plus John's own interviews with executives and policy leaders.So that's it for the first 20 years of the Health Business Blog and HealthBiz Podcast. I'd like to thank you, my listeners and viewers, and my producer, Dafna Williams.I'm looking forward to the next podcast chapter. I hope you'll join me for it.Meet me on CareTalk! https://www.caretalkpodcast.com/ As of March 2025 HealthBiz is part of CareTalk. Healthcare. Unfiltered and can be found at the following links: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2GTYhbNnvDHriDp7Xo9s6Z Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caretalk-healthcare-unfiltered/id1532402352 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CareTalkPodcast CareTalk website https://www.caretalkpodcast.com/ Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Episodes through March 2025 were produced by Dafna Williams.

Send us a textAI, behavioral science and digital communications are transforming how patients interact with the healthcare system. But are they actually improving outcomes or just adding noise and costs?In this episode of the Health Biz Podcast, host David Williams speaks with Robert Farrell, CEO of mPulse, about how AI-driven personalization is transforming patient engagement. They discuss how conversational AI, behavioral science, and predictive analytics are helping healthcare organizations improve outcomes, boost health literacy, and engage patients more effectively.

Send us a textWhole-person care is the gold standard for treating elderly patients by delivering care where they need it when they need it, but traditional healthcare models make it tough to scale.Can value-based care and home-based medicine change that?In this episode of CareTalk, host John Driscoll speaks with Jeffrey Kang, CEO of WellBe, to explore the challenges and opportunities of geriatric care, the evolution of Medicare risk adjustment, and why integrating whole-person care into value-based models is key to keeping vulnerable patients healthier.

Send us a textValue-based care is a great concept, providers get paid to keep patients healthy rather than just for treating them when they're sick.But it's not easy, and the results don't always meet the potential.Can technology and AI help?In this episode of the HealthBiz Podcast, host David E. Williams speaks with Jay Ackerman, CEO of Reveleer on how AI can automate time-consuming tasks, streamline fragmented workflows, and consolidate critical risk adjustment to improve value-based care.

Send us a textInteroperability has long been a buzzword in healthcare In an ideal world, our healthcare system would exchange timely, high-quality data to empower patients, improve clinical quality, and keep costs under control. How close are we to making this a reality?In this episode of the HealthBiz Podcast, host David E Williams talks with Dr. Donald Rucker, Chief Strategy Officer at 1upHealth, about how their health data management platform is transforming the way healthcare organizations access, share, and leverage patient data to improve outcomes, enhance efficiency, and drive more personalized care.TOPICS(0:25) Introduction(0:52) How Dr. Donald Rucker Got Into Healthcare(2:54) Rucker's Educational Path and Career(11:14) What Does 1upHealth Do?(21:13) Why Are CMS APIs So Important?(25:15) How Do APIs Affect Prior Authorization?(31:37) Book Recommendations from Dr. Donald Rucker

Send us a textA New York doctor has been indicted for prescribing abortion pills to a patient in Louisiana, sparking a legal showdown between the two states.Now, New York is striking back with a law to shield physicians. Which state will prevail?In this episode of CareTalk, hosts David E Williams and John Driscoll unpack the fight over abortion pill prescriptions and what it means for the future of reproductive rights across the country.TOPICS(0:20) Introduction(0:35) Why Did Louisiana Indict a Doctor from New York?(2:04) The Impact of Political Strategy on Healthcare(3:29) The State's Role in Abortion Policy(6:48) How New York and Abortion Advocates Are Striking Back(7:28) Understanding Laws Protecting Providers(10:09) How Trump Will Influence Abortion Policy(11:23) How Pharmacies Are Reacting to Conflicting Policies(13:22) Hope for the Future of Healthcare in America

Send us a textArtificial intelligence is destined to play a big role in the pharmaceutical industry in 2025.With this rapid growth, what specific changes can we expect in patient support and pharmaceutical marketing?And how will that impact healthcare costs and patient experience?In this episode of the HealthBiz Podcast, guest William Grambley, CEO of AllazoHealth, discusses how artificial intelligence and patient-level data can lower operating costs, improve medication adherence, and create tailored solutions for patients at every stage of their journey.TOPICS(0:23) Intro(1:02) Background on William Grambley(2:34) How Naval Service Shaped William Grambley(3:23) The Role of Experience and Work History(6:38) What Brought William to AllazoHealth(9:05) Understanding Compliance, Persistence, and Adherence(10:36) Examining Low Levels of Adherence(12:28) How Issues with Medication Adherence Have Changed Over Time(15:00) Distinguishing Between Adherence and Therapy Initiation(17:32) The Importance of Personalization(20:35) The Future of Pharma and AI in 2025(25:02) Dynamic Change and Personalization(27:36) GLP-1s and Adherence(30:30) Book Recommendations from William Grambley

Send us a textNo doubt 2025 will be a wild year for healthcare.But what can we expect from AI, GLP-1s, and a second Trump administration?In this episode of HealthBiz Briefs, host David Williams dives into his predictions for 2025, looking at the coming changes to the biggest stories in healthcare.

Send us a textOpioid makers and distributors are paying over $50 billion to settle lawsuits with states and cities.But how is this settlement money being spent?And is the opioid crisis nearing an end?In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll explore the impacts of recent opioid lawsuits and whether they could finally put an end to the crisis.TOPICS(0:30) Examining the Opioid Settlement(2:50) The Difference Between the Opioid and Tobacco Settlements(4:47) What Are the Settlement Funds Being Used For?(7:09) What's the Impact of the Opioid Settlement?(8:40) What Should States Do With Their Settlement Money?(9:06) The Waves of the Opioid Epidemic(12:50) Combating Waves of Fentanyl and Stimulants(13:53) The Pitfalls in Opioid Addiction Treatment(16:08) Preventing Opioid Addiction(18:27) The Role of Mental Health in Opioid Addiction(20:44) Avoiding Fentanyl With Test Strips

Send us a text2024 shook up the healthcare world, and 2025 is gearing up to be just as transformative.With big changes coming from the new Administration, the AI boom taking healthcare by storm, and the rapid rise of GLP-1s, next year is shaping up to be a wild ride.Join David E. Williams and John Driscoll on CareTalk as they dust off their crystal ball and explore what's in store for healthcare in 2025!This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS(0:30) Sponsorship(1:50) Thank You to Our Audience(2:47) Predictions for GLP-1s(8:28) The Rise of AI in Healthcare(12:12) How the New Administration Will Affect Public Health(15:05) Healthcare on the Defense(18:54) Boosting Primary and Value-Based Care(22:06) The Growth of the Healthcare Market

Send us a textAdministrative hassles and mountains of paperwork remain some of the biggest challenges in healthcare today.Every day, critical time and resources are diverted from doctors, nurses, and other medical staff to navigate inefficient prior authorizations and overwhelming paperwork. Isn't it time we find a better solution?In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll sit down with Anterior Founder and CEO Abdel Mahmoud to explore the burden of administrative tasks on healthcare and how AI can bring clarity and efficiency to the chaos.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS(0:28) Sponsorship(1:40) Dr. Abdel Mahmoud's Military Experience(3:05) The Personal Journey of Dr. Abdel Mahmoud(5:35) Understanding Large Language Models(7:59) The Journey of Anterior(10:49) AI's Role in Managed Care(14:22) How Anterior is Different(15:52) How Anterior Uses Language Learning Models(20:27) The Future of Anterior(22:42) Using AI as Support(24:01) How Anterior Differentiates from the Competition(26:15) The Future of AI in Healthcare

Send us a textPrimary care is the foundation of a strong healthcare system, but it faces mounting challenges, from workforce shortages to reimbursement struggles. Is advanced primary care the solution and what would that model look like?In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll sit down with Dr. Kate Goodrich, Chief Medical Officer of Humana, to explore the critical role of primary care and how it must evolve to meet the growing demands of patients, providers, and the healthcare system as a whole.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS(0:21) Intro(0:34) Sponsorship(2:05) The Advantages of Primary Care(3:51) Understanding Primary Care(5:06) Why Is Primary Care Struggling(6:55) The Current State of Primary Care(7:57) How Primary Care Is Changing(10:18) The Promise of Care Coordination in Primary Care(12:51) What Does Advanced Primary Care Look Like(15:20) Measuring Success in Primary Care(18:32) What Is Direct Primary Care(19:51) The State of Medicare Managed Care(23:43) Why Are Primary Care Physicians Unhappy

Send us a textGLP-1 medications like Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Ozempic are taking the market by storm.With demand soaring, many patients are realizing these medications are either not being covered or simply too expensive.Is this all due to provider greed or is the issue more complicated?In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll discuss how the growing demand for weight-loss drugs is creating a conundrum for providers, forcing them to decide between avoiding the costs associated with at-risk patients or investing upfront for long-term savings.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS(0:38) Sponsorship(2:06) Obesity in America(2:40) The State of Insurance Coverage for GLP-1s(3:27) Background on Obesity Drugs(4:45) Formation of GLP-1 Use(7:20) The Cost Conundrum of Weight-Loss Drugs(10:16) How Insurance Impacts Weight-Loss Drug Coverage(11:30) Understanding Adverse Selection(14:30) How Insurers Prevent Coverage(15:04) Decisions on Weight-Loss Drug Coverage(16:07) What Makes GLP-1s Unique for Cost Coverage(18:00) Will Weight-Loss Drugs Become Cheaper?(21:22) Medicare's Role in Weight-Loss Drugs(22:17) Examining Side Effects of Weight-Loss Drugs

Send us a textWhat if you could get personalized medical solutions tailored exactly to your needs, diagnosis, and even genetics?Personalized medicine may have sounded like a pipe dream a few years ago, but it's fast becoming a major sector of the industry.In this episode of CareTalk, David Williams and John Driscoll sit down with Bradley Bostic, Founder and CEO of hc1 and managing director at Health Cloud Capital, to explore how diagnostics and AI are transforming personalized healthcare through data-driven innovation.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS(0:16) Intro(0:32) Sponsorship(2:11) Congratulations to Marty Makary(2:51) How Important Is Lab Testing for Healthcare?(4:38) Going Beyond Basic Lab Data(7:49) How Tests Lead Into Personalized Medicine(10:41) Looking at Data More Effectively(15:00) Will Changes in the Healthcare System Affect Lab Data?

Send us a textWord-of-mouth recommendations are great for picking a restaurant or movie, but are they the best way to find a doctor?What if there was a better way to use data to find the right doctor every time?In this episode of CareTalk, David Williams talks with Nick Reber, Founder and CEO of Garner Health, about how they're leveraging detailed data, including physician history and patient outcomes, to match patients with high-quality doctors.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS:(0:15) Sponsorship(1:45) Why Nick Reber Started Garner Health(4:50) Using Data to Find the Best Doctors(7:13) How Hedge Funds Relate to Healthcare(9:25) Measuring Patient Outcomes and Costs(11:20) Building Patient Trust(14:32) Dealing with Fragmented Data(16:29) Deciphering Complex Data to Determine Outcomes(20:24) Garner Health's Relation to Value-Based Care(23:18) Advice for Someone Starting a Healthcare Company

Send us a textWith the election decided and over, Americans are looking at Republicans to make good on their campaign promises.One important promise to voters was to make America healthy again.But what does this agenda entail?And what impacts can we expect to see in healthcare?In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll discuss the framework of Make America Healthy Again, covering what they have right, what they have wrong, and how it is set to change healthcare.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS(0:32) Sponsorship(1:59) Positives of Make America Healthy Again(3:31) Examining Chronic Disease Rates(4:54) Framework of Chronic Diseases(5:56) Health Policies on Pollution(7:02) The Gun Safety Epidemic(8:08) Government Regulations and Health Track Record(9:16) Contradictions in Make America Healthy Again(12:04) Hope for Change in American Healthcare

Send us a textReceiving a rare genetic disease diagnosis for yourself or a loved one is devastating news, especially when the diagnosed is a child.For families, navigating the challenges of these diagnoses requires more than just medical care, it takes a strong, compassionate support system.In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll sit down with Effie Parks, advocate and host of the Once Upon a Gene podcast, to dive into the critical role of community during a rare disease diagnosis and the strong support system that has developed around parenting those afflicted.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS(0:36) Sponsorship(1:52) Welcome Effie Parks(2:31) Effie Parks' Journey into the Rare Disease Community(4:31) Why Effie Parks Started Once Upon a Gene(6:18) Advice to Families in the Rare Disease Community(7:12) Grappling with Grief and Guilt(10:45) Understanding Why We Experience Guilt(12:18) Examining Healthcare Policies That Impact Rare Diseases(14:43) How Healthcare Professionals Can Be More Sensitive to Families(16:27) Building a Supportive Rare Disease Community(18:19) Advice for Government Agencies When Approaching Rare Disease Policy(20:09) Engaging Patients and Families in Healthcare Policy(20:50) How the Entire Healthcare Ecosystem Can Become More Involved(22:46) Creating a Virtual Event for the Rare Disease Community(24:20) Areas of Hope in Rare Diseases

Send us a textMedical gaslighting is when a provider shirks a patient's concerns and leaves them without a diagnosis or treatment plan.Unfortunately, this experience is all too common for patients, especially women.So, how can patients tackle the problem and get the care they need?In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll meet with guest Ilana Jacqueline, patient advocate and author of “Medical Gaslighting,” to discuss why medical gaslighting occurs and what patients can do to get the care they deserve.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS:(0:21) Sponsorship(1:40) Meet Ilana Jacqueline(2:21) Ilana Jacqueline's Experience with Medical Gaslighting(5:51) How Women Experience Medical Gaslighting(7:34) The Consequences of Medical Bias(9:54) Why We Need a Guide to Combat Medical Gaslighting(11:36) How Patients Should Handle Undiagnosed Conditions(13:26) Recognizing the Signs of Medical Gaslighting(15:18) The Moment Ilana Jacqueline Took Control of Her Health Journey(17:14) Bringing Awareness of Gaslighting to Providers(19:30) Approaching Pain Management as a Patient(22:50) Do Medical Providers Actually Review Feedback?

Send us a textAs AI becomes more integrated into our lives, many believe it will revolutionize nearly every industry, with healthcare being one of them. Ed Zitron is not one of those people.In this episode of CareTalk, David Williams speaks with Ed Zitron, CEO of EZPR, on why he believes AI is a bubble ready to burst and the ramifications of AI on everything from patient care to climate change.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS(0:24) Intro(0:43) Sponsorship(1:58) Should We Be Optimistic About AI?(2:52) Will AI Investments Be Worth It?(4:42) Why Are People Excited About AI?(6:34) AI's Role in Capitalism(8:24) Are You the Customer or the Product?(9:34) Is It AI or Just a Chatbot?(11:47) Can AI Improve Healthcare Efficiency?(14:55) Can AI Improve After-Appointment Care?(17:29) The Ethical Issues with AI(19:32) Will Nuclear Power Fix AI's Eco-Damage?(20:42) Will the AI Bubble Pop?(23:11) Is There a Role for Regulators in AI?(24:18) How Should the Public Think About AI?

Send us a textNearly all insured Americans have prescription medication benefits.So why are so many Americans struggling to afford those prescriptions?Shouldn't these benefits cover the cost? In this episode of CareTalk, David Williams speaks with Kyle Kiser, CEO of Arrive Health, to explore the factors driving the disconnect between consumer needs and prescription pricing, and how point-of-prescribing technology can serve as a patient-centered solution. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS(0:17) Sponsorship(2:01) Why Is Medication Access an Issue?(4:23) What Happened to Affordable Medicine?(5:14) The State of Prior Authorization(7:08) Why Hasn't Electronic Prescribing Solved Consumer Constraints?(8:58) What Is Patient-Centered, Provider-Friendly Tech?(13:18) The Issues with Preferred Pharmacies(15:34) How Have Pharma Support Programs Evolved?(18:12) The Role of Biosimilars in Reducing Prices(19:38) What Should a Patient Know When Dealing with Prescription Costs?

Send us a textIt's no secret that medical drug prices have been out of control for most Americans.However, one hospital group has a novel idea to control drug spending.Blue Shield of California is bypassing PBMs by negotiating directly with the manufacturer of a biosimilar for Humira.Is this a one-off experiment or the start of a bigger trend that can drive industry-wide impact?In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll discuss these price negotiation tactics and what they see as the long-term results of Blue Shield of California's attempt to lower pharmaceutical prices.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS(0:34) Sponsorship(1:50) Understanding the Complex Nature of Deals with PBMs(2:40) Examining the Humira Deal(3:18) Is the Humira Deal a Trend in Healthcare?(5:43) Will Deals Like Humira Lower Drug Costs?(7:30) Will Patients See Lower Drug Costs?(9:58) How PBMs Factor into Lowering Drug Costs(11:58) The Investor's Perspective on the Blue Shield Deal(13:20) How Patients Factor into Drug Negotiations(16:48) Exploring Cost Plus's Pricing Deals(20:30) PBMs, Inflation, and the Future of Drug Costs

Send us a textSurprise, surprise, the US healthcare system is still the most expensive and lowest performing. That's the message from the latest Commonwealth Fund report called Mirror, Mirror 2024: A Portrait of the Failing U.S. Health System.   In this episode of CareTalk, John and David dive into the report's findings to uncover why U.S. healthcare remains so broken—and explore what, if anything, can be done to fix it.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.

Send us a textA lot can be learned by monitoring individual customer service calls, analyzing patient experience, and optimizing call performance, but a systemic and scalable approach has always seemed out of reach.But new AI technologies are flipping the script on this age-old roadblock.In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll are joined by Amy Brown, CEO of Authenticx, to explore how AI can improve patient experiences, efficiently gather and analyze data from call centers, and what the future of AI in healthcare holds.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS(0:23) Sponsorship(1:58) Taking on Patient Experiences in Healthcare(3:54) How Has the Patient Experience Evolved After COVID?(6:06) Why Aren't We in the Golden Age of Patient Experience?(9:28) What Is the Eddy Effect?(12:33) How to Improve Customer Service in Healthcare?(14:08) Improving Prescription Renewal Processes(16:38) Structuring Solutions for Patient Experiences(20:52) Technology's Role in Improving Patient Experiences(24:24) Why Was Amy Brown Skeptical of AI?(25:24) How Can Call Centers Operate Differently with AI?(28:23) Getting at the Ground Truth of Patient Needs

Send us a textBlind spots in our thinking and decision-making are an inevitable part of the human experience. But what does this mean in the context of medicine?In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll explore these challenges with guest Dr. Marty Makary, author of Blind Spots, delving into our natural resistance to new ideas, the impact of these tendencies on healthcare, and strategies for addressing blind spots in modern medicine.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS(0:25) Sponsorship(2:01) What got Dr. Makary into Medical Blind Spots?(3:40) The Biggest Blind Spots in Medicine(5:26) Looking Into the Questionable Data Around HRT and Cancer(7:48) Where did Peanut Allergies Come From?(10:08) Do Eggs Cause Heart Attacks?(12:32) Understanding Dietary Cholesterol (13:47) How to Reestablish Trust Between Patients and the Medical Community(16:19) Exploring Historical Blind Spots(18:19) How Human Nature Affects Medical Progress(22:49) What Blind Spots will There be in the Future?(25:00) How Should Patients Approach Blind Spots in Medicine?

Send us a textDespite ongoing attention and investment, significant disparities persist in the U.S. healthcare system.A clear example of these disparities can be seen within the legacy of racial discrimination present in healthcare for Black communities.In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams meets with Caretha Coleman, board chairman of the Black Directors Health Equity Agenda, to discuss the state of healthcare in the Black community, how disparities and racial biases are costing lives, and the efforts of leaders like her to drive change, equity, and progress.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS:(0:26) Sponsorship(2:07) Understanding the key health issues facing Black Americans(3:07) Looking at a legacy of racial disparities(6:19) How health issues disproportionally affect the Black community(8:52) The rates of infant and maternal mortality within the Black community(11:49) Are racial disparities recognized in healthcare?(14:26) Improving results with better minority care(16:25) Shorting the good from the bad in race-based algorisms(20:20) The Role of the Black Directors' Health Equity Agenda(24:44) How her career and life experiences have driven Caretha Coleman(26:44) What is driving the push-back against DEI and what can be done about it

Send us a textChances are you've been hit with a medical bill far more expensive than you expected.If so, you're not alone.In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll dive into the complex, confusing, and often painful world of medical billing, discussing how you can protect yourself from unethical and erroneous charges.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS:(0:24) Sponsorship(1:26) Why You Never Know How Much Your Medical Bill Will Cost(2:29) How Complex Healthcare Systems Confuse Billing(3:16) Why You Should Contest Your Bill(5:45) Can Extroverts Demand Lower Medical Costs?(8:11) Examining Itemized Billing(9:06) How the Biden Administration is Fighting for Medical Cost Transparency(10:00) Can you Plan for Medical Expenses?(11:55) Understanding Medical Bill Payment Plans(13:47) Doctors, Insurance, and Your Role in Medical Billing

Send us a textThere's no doubt that physicians who take money from pharmaceutical companies prescribe more expensive drugs.But is that really best for patients? And what are the real dangers of these financial incentives? In this episode of CareTalk, David Williams and John Driscoll talk with Dr. Aaron Mitchell, a genitourinary medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, about the precarious role of financial incentives on physician behavior.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS(0:22) Sponsorship: BetterHelp(1:44) Why Should We Care About Incentives in Healthcare?(2:40) The Nature of Relationships Between Doctors and Pharma(4:48) The Average Size of Incentives(6:53) The Impact of Incentives on Prescribing Patterns(7:45) How Pharma Justifies Financial Incentives(12:05) When Financial Incentives Lead to Prescribing Worse Drugs(14:44) A Doctor's Perspective on the Ethics of Incentives (17:31) Branded Drugs Versus Unbranded Drugs(20:26) How Doctors Have Reacted to Findings on Financial Incentives (23:26) Should Patients be Afraid of Getting the Wrong Drug?(27:15) What's Next for Dr. Aaron Mitchell?

Send us a Text Message.Presidential candidate Kamala Harris has positioned herself as a strong advocate for female reproductive rights and progressive policies.As she seeks to distinguish herself from the former president, does her stance on broader healthcare issues change as well?In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll explore presidential hopeful Kamala Harris' views and potential future policies on everything from reproductive freedom to drug pricing and access to care.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk  and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS(0:23) BetterHelp Sponsorship(1:30) Why Kamala Harris Matters for Healthcare(2:10) Understanding Kamala's Role in Healthcare as VP(3:04) The Impacts of Overturning Roe vs. Wade(4:29) Looking at the Rights Associated with Reproductive Freedoms(5:10) Women's Views on Abortion Access(6:46) Looking at Harris' Wider Healthcare Policy(7:39) The Problems with Prenatal Care in the U.S(10:17) How Harris Will Tackle Discrimination in Healthcare(11:46) Grappling with Pharmaceutical Pricing(13:02) What will Harris' Impact be on Medicare and Healthcare Mergers?(14:38) How J.D. Vance Contrasts with Kamala Harris on Healthcare Policy(17:26) Will Kamala Harris Implement Universal Healthcare?(19:36) Will Harris' Stances on Healthcare Have an Impact on Her Electability?

Send us a Text Message.With JD Vance recently announced as Trump's running mate, many are seeking answers to where he stands on issues such as the opioid crisis, abortion, access to care, and the overall healthcare industry.Does his record, opinions, and voting history provide insights into his potential impacts if elected as vice president?In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll explore how JD Vance's views could impact his campaign and what a potential vice presidency might mean for the future of healthcare policy and reform.TOPICS0:19 Sponsorship1:24 Who is JD Vance?2:23 How will JD Vance impact healthcare policy?4:30 Understanding Vance's views on abortion5:40 How will Trump's governing style mesh with Vance?6:57 Understand possible policies on DACA and healthcare8:08 Vance's history with the opioid crisis8:59 Why was Vance picked as Trump's running mate9:41 Revisiting the East Palestine disasterThis episode is brought to you by Matrix Medical Network. Matrix Medical Network is an independent, at-scale provider of comprehensive in-home health assessments. The company's national network of nearly 3,000 clinicians delivers comprehensive, personalized care for Medicare Advantage, Managed Medicaid, and Commercial patients across all 50 states.Care visits include diagnostic testing, risk identification, medication management, and tailored lifestyle improvement plans.Download Matrix Medical Network's White Paper: "Improving Health Equity Through Whole-Person Care"

Send us a Text Message.Recent political events have brought mental and cognitive health into the national spotlight.As more Americans confront mental health crises, the urgency for both heightened attention and effective treatment solutions has never been greater.According to MentalHealthAmerica, nearly 20% of adults are currently experiencing a mental illness, which translates to approximately 50 million Americans.In our latest episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll welcome Patrick J. Kennedy for a compelling discussion on the complex and escalating challenges of mental health in the US, exploring their intersections with current political events and insights from his new book, Profiles in Mental Health Courage.TOPICS1:03 Understanding the President's Decision to Step Down6:00 Holding our Leaders to a Standard of Cognitive Competence7:50 The Momentous Opportunity of New Mental Health Rulings12:43 Profiles in Mental Health Courage14:29 Has the Public Understanding of Mental Health Needs Changed?17:10 Critical Conversations of Early Treatment Needs18:45 What is the Role of Employers in Mental Health21:06 Looking to Global Solutions for Mental Health Treatment23:50 The Role of Tech in Mental Health Care26:35 Patrick J Kennedy's Role in Mental Health Advocacy This episode is brought to you by Matrix Medical Network.  Matrix Medical Network is an independent, at-scale provider of comprehensive in-home health assessments. The company's national network of nearly 3,000 clinicians delivers comprehensive, personalized care for Medicare Advantage, Managed Medicaid, and Commercial patients across all 50 states. Care visits include diagnostic testing, risk identification, medication management, and tailored lifestyle improvement plans.Download Matrix Medical Network's White Paper: "Improving Health Equity Through Whole-Person Care"

Send us a Text Message.As the U.S. population continues to age, Medicare is rapidly consuming a larger portion of the federal budget.In 2023, Medicare expenditures reached a staggering $1 trillion, accounting for approximately 3.1% of the U.S. GDP.Looking ahead, Statista projects that Medicare outlays will soar to $2.1 trillion by 2034, representing around 4.2% of the anticipated U.S. GDP.Such a trajectory of unsustainable spending necessitates innovative and effective solutions.Tune in to this week's episode of CareTalk, where host David Williams is joined by Matrix Medical Network's CEO Catherine Tabaka and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael Cantor, as they reveal why whole-person care is the critical solution for improving health equity.TOPICS:0:55 How much is the U.S spending on Medicare?3:18 How did Medicare start?5:18 What are Dual Eligibles?9:37 What are the challenges of Dual Eligibles?13:33 What is whole person care?19:03 What are the motivations for Health Equity Initiatives?26:58 Are disparities in care increasing?29:29 Should the government-sponsored medical insurance work as social welfare?33:17 Understanding in-home and whole-person careDownload Matrix Medical Network's White Paper: "Improving Health Equity Through Whole-Person Care"

Send us a Text Message.A recent Supreme Court ruling has granted local officials the authority to arrest homeless individuals found sleeping in public spaces.According to Security.com, the number of homeless Americans has risen to over half a million and shows no signs of slowing down.With homelessness growing nationwide, what will be the impact of this decision?Will it effectively reduce homelessness by directing unhoused individuals to local resources?Or does it represent a harsh and unusual punishment that criminalizes homelessness?In this week's episode of CareTalk, hosts David E. Williams and John Driscoll explore the implications of this landmark ruling and its far-reaching effects on affected individuals and communities nationwide.TOPICS0:52 What is the new ruling on homeless encampments?3:11 How will other recent rulings affect healthcare?3:53 How should cities and states grapple with the homelessness crisis?4:55 Are homeless people still receiving care?6:15 Why do homeless people need easy access to care?7:20 What is the impact of relocating homeless people?10:48 How many homeless people are there nationwide?13:30 Should housing be classified as healthcare?16:06 Can recent rulings help with homelessness?

Send us a Text Message.Just a few short years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc across the globe, leaving economies in tatters, claiming millions of lives, and fundamentally altering the world as we knew it. Yet, scarcely after the dust settled from that crisis, virologists are now raising urgent concerns.The specter of the bird flu looms large as it breaches the species barrier, with an alarming number of cows falling victim, and a recent human transmission case being confirmed.With a nearly 50% mortality rate according to @Yale Medicine, the bird flu is making global headlines.In the face of these developments, the question begs: how concerned should we be?Tune in to the latest episode of @CareTalk, featuring discussions with @David E. Williams and @John Driscoll, alongside guest @Rick Bright, Former Head of the @Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, as they delve into the escalating fears surrounding a potential new pandemic and the tangible threats posed by the bird flu.TOPICS(2:14) The last pandemic and sounding the alarm on Covid (5:41) What is the bird flu?(10:12) Why should Americans care about the bird flu?(13:16) Who's most at risk for contracting the bird flu?(15:48) How viruses and the bird flu evolve(17:55) Can we prevent the next pandemic?(20:44) The dangers of a slow response to bird flu(23:13) Screening and testing for the bird flu(25:06) How worried should we be about the bird flu?

Ozempic and Wegovy are all the rage as everyone tries to lose weight. But despite the epidemic of obesity, very few physicians are trained to address it. In this episode of CareTalk, Dr. Katherine Saunders (Co-Founder & EVP, Intellihealth) joins John and David to discuss scaling obesity treatment by enabling providers with technology. But can a technology-enabled approach keep up with demand? Listen to the episode to find out! TOPICS(5:52) What is it that makes obesity a disease? (7:43) Advancements in anti-obesity medical interventions(8:45) Why are GLP1s so popular and are they the singular solution to obesity?(11:38) Barriers to obesity treatment(13:08) How does the issue of weight bias come into play? (14:29) The disconnect between supply and demand in obesity and geriatrics specialties(17:10) What are the cardio-related benefits of GLP1s?(20:43) Is it true that over 75% of Americans are overweight? 

Thanks to all our listeners for making 2023 CareTalk's best year yet. With 650,000 streams across 55 new episodes, it's been a year to remember. We really appreciate your support!Some of the year's big stories were AI in healthcare, abortion restrictions following the Dobbs decision, and approval of the world's first CRISPR gene editing therapy.John and I have polished off our crystal ball to see what's ahead for 2024. Let's have a look!TOPICS(1:06) Telehealth without doctors(5:53) Using AI for culturally competent care(11:17) Real world evidence in clinical trials(16:07) The abortion debate (19:05) An optimistic prediction about lifespan and healthspan.

Choosing between Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage is hard, but the stakes are even higher for cancer patients. Does the flexibility to choose any hospital or doctor under traditional Medicare outweigh Medicare Advantage's enhanced benefits like dental, vision and OTC drugs?In this episode of CareTalk, John and David weigh the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage for cancer patients.TOPICS(01:52) How Medicare Works(03:17) What is Medicare Advantage?(04:12) Traditional Medicare vs Medicare Advantage(06:01) Access to Specialized Cancer Care(08:30) Importance of Cancer Research Centers  (12:32) Drug Coverage Differences(16:30) Switching Medicare Plans(18:29) Weighing Cancer RiskGET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterShop official CareTalk merchFOLLOW CARETALKSpotifyApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsFollow us on LinkedIn#healthcare #healthcarepolicy #healthcarebusiness #healthcaretechnology #medicareadvantage #medicare #healthinsurance #oncologySupport the showCareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing

Dr. Megan Ranney joins CareTalk to discuss innovative public health approaches to prevent violence and related behavioral health problems.

Dr. David Shulkin was appointed by President Obama, then promoted to the Cabinet to head the Department of Veterans Affairs and eventually fired by President Trump. Now in the private sector he's a dogged advocate for veterans and involved in everything from drug pricing to living to 100.In this episode, Dr. Shulkin joins CareTalk to discuss everything from rural health to improving veteran care in the US.

Eclipses are easier when we release what we need to release.This week is a massive week in terms of working with the Moon. We have New Moon Eclipse taking place in Libra. We are also having a Mercury-Chiron opposition. Eclipses can be intense and are not always easy or happy-making. But they can be the change you have to have. This Eclipse is a good time to think about what you have been holding onto that you now need to let go. I will be holding a FREE workshop called Love & the Libra Eclipse on October 14, 7 PM UK Time.This New Moon is all about a restart. Eclipses are easier when we release and let go. It is meant to nudge us back to the path we are destined for that we drifted from for many reasons - whether it is because of ego, fear, or our unwillingness to change.  Rather than fighting against the tide, now is the time to face the things in your life that you know deep down, needs to be let go.Straight out of the Eclipse, we have a Mercury-Chiron opposition which could go either way. Be careful if you are in a tense situation with someone. You can have healing or hurting conversations.Libra is all about finding balance in relationships. This week, here are some things you can do to make the most out of the Astrology this week:Look at your most important 1:1 relationships.Ask yourself: Are you giving too much or taking too much?Prioritise open communicationIf you're single, the New Moon is a good time to think about the partner you want to attract for your next relationship. Pay attention to signs and synchronicities - the Universe is always giving us directions!Tap into the Libra Energy!Declutter your homeNow is a good time for self-careTalk to the Goddess Lakshmi (Libra is ruled by Venus and Lakshmi is the Goddess of Beauty)Engage in activities that encourage collaboration. This is a good time to create new partnershipsKeep a journal of your experiences and your thoughts this week to better understand how the Eclipse affects youOn October 22, we will get Venus harmonising with Jupiter so this month will not be all challenging. Use this New Moon to set intentions for your relationships, whether platonic, romantic, or professional.I will be doing my usual New Moon Ceremony, head over to https://moonmessages.com/fbevents to join me.If you are a member of my Mainly Moonology Membership, we have sent to your inbox a PDF that details how the Eclipse will be affecting each sign.Join me in my FREE workshop called Love & the Libra Eclipse on October 14, 7 PM UK Time.Listen to more of Yasmin Boland: https://mainlymoonologymembership.com/––Follow Yasmin on socials: ✨ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yasminbolandmoonology ✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moonologydotcom/––Mainly Moonology is a podcast for people looking to manifest their dream life leveraging the power of the moon. Tune in each week for accessible moon teachings, weekly readings, discussions about the Law of Attraction, and everything in between! Follow us for more.

The behavioral health crisis is in full swing.  It's well known that there's a shortage of providers. But that's just the first step. We also need to make sure people are getting the right care for them, that quality is measured and tracked, and that patients have long term support on their care journeys.Christina Mainelli (CEO, Quartet Health) joins us to discuss how Quartet is working to build a better mental healthcare system.