EP483 (Part 1): To Contain Skyrocketing Healthcare Costs or Renewals, You Gotta Understand How the Flywheel Works, With Jonathan Baran

In this episode Stacey Richter speaks with Jonathan Baran, CEO of Self Fund Health in a detailed exploration of what they term the 'Flywheel Downward Spiral' of American healthcare costs. The conversation delves into how electronic health records (EHR) and the incentives driving insurers, brokers, and hospital systems contribute to consistently rising healthcare premiums. 

Key points include how insurers profit from high premiums, the misleading marketing focus on discounts rather than actual costs, and the role of EHR systems in maximizing hospital profits rather than improving patient care. The episode sets the stage for a subsequent discussion on reversing these trends, aiming to align healthcare outcomes with cost reductions.

Self Fund Health, I am so pleased to tell you, as I am always so pleased to tell you, did make such a kind offer to help out Relentless Health Value financially. You and the tribe here are really, really great folks who I truly appreciate. Please support Self Fund Health if you are in Wisconsin.

This episode is sponsored by Self Fund Health.

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08:46 Entering the health system "flywheel" at the renewal phase.

09:46 What goes on in the renewal season that contributes to the health system "flywheel"?

12:28 Why is the standard 9% increase in healthcare costs during renewal season actually problematic?

13:22 How does the purchase of discounts contribute to the skyrocketing cost of healthcare and distract from discussing the actually underlying cost of healthcare?

16:07 EP465 with Chris Crawford.

17:01 Why do employers need to learn to buy healthcare and not insurance?

20:32 Rina Tikia's post on self-funded plans.

23:18 Why are hospital executives incentivized to buy and own all of the primary care in a market?

26:35 How big electronic medical record systems play into this increase in healthcare costs.

28:27 Acquired podcast on one EHR system.

31:09 What needs to happen to reverse this flywheel of increasing healthcare costs?