11. Unveiling the Truth: Financial Incentives in Healthcare

One of the questions I am asked most often by patients is this:“Don’t doctors get paid to prescribe medications?”It is a fair question. And if you have ever left a medical visit feeling rushed, unheard, or confused about why a prescription was offered when you wanted to talk about lifestyle change, you are not alone.The short answer, from my experience, is no. Doctors are not paid directly for writing prescriptions. I have never seen that arrangement in my own career. But the longer and more important answer is where things get complicated, and where a lot of patient frustration actually starts to make sense.In this episode, I share how modern healthcare really works behind the scenes, specifically the metric driven systems that shape many outpatient medical visits, often without patients ever being told those systems exist.Insurance contracts commonly withhold a portion of physician reimbursement. That money can only be earned back if certain population level targets are met. These targets include cancer screening rates, blood pressure control, diabetes markers, depression screenings, and age based testing requirements.These systems were created with good public health intentions. On a population level, they aim to reduce disease, improve outcomes, and lower long term healthcare costs. But in real life, they can unintentionally distort the patient experience.When metrics drive behavior, office visits can become crowded with checklists, screenings, and documentation that have little to do with the reason you came in that day, whether that is back pain, fatigue, brain fog, or something else entirely.This helps explain why you may feel frustrated when:You are asked the same questions at every visitScreenings feel unrelated to your concernLifestyle conversations feel rushed or absentMedications are offered before behavior change has time to workThis episode is not about blaming doctors. I speak honestly about the difficult position many clinicians are placed in. They are often caught between wanting to support their patients and being financially penalized if metrics are not met by the end of the calendar year.I also explain why lifestyle change, while essential, often does not move the numbers fast enough for these systems. That reality can quietly influence medical decisions, especially late in the year, even when a patient is motivated and ready to make change.This conversation is about clarity, not conspiracy. It is about helping you understand why healthcare can feel transactional, why visits sometimes miss the mark, and how understanding the system can help you advocate for yourself more effectively.My goal is not to create fear or distrust. It is to offer context, compassion, and empowerment.If you have ever wondered why your healthcare experience feels the way it does, this episode is for you.Let’s get real and get results.Ready to stop guessing and finally get a clear plan?Join Dr. Su for the Ask Dr. Mark Clinical Q&A Call, a small-group call limited to about five people each month where you can bring your real questions and get real direction.Book your spot: https://go.rootseekhealth.com/askdrmarkOr download the free Lab Results Guide if you have ever been told your labs are normal while still feeling terrible: https://labsoptin.rootseekhealth.com/labs/Connect with Dr. Su: IG | @rootseekhealthDisclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only.  Information discussed is not intended for diagnosis, curing, or prevention of any disease and is not intended to replace advice given by a licensed healthcare practitioner. This podcast and its guests may have direct or indirect financial interests associated with products mentioned.