Broken Healthcare

She billed me $902 for a two-second X-ray. The insurer pays $78. In this episode of Broken Healthcare, Ray Kober sits down with Dr. Dana Mincer DO - physician, Direct Primary Care founder, and certified yoga instructor - to break down what really happens when a doctor becomes a patient and gets the bill.Dana slipped on the ice on New Year's Eve, fractured her elbow, spent an hour in the ER, saw a PA for 7 minutes, and never met a physician. The bill? Over $3,300. She brought slides.In this episode:→ The itemized bill from Sentara Health - and what insurers actually pay for the same procedures→ Why a physician was billed who never walked into the room - and what happened when Dana called to dispute it→ How CPT billing codes work and why hospitals always bill at the highest possible level→ Why the chargemaster means the same procedure has hundreds of different prices at the same hospital→ Why most US hospital systems are for-profit organizations operating under nonprofit status→ How auto-adjudication works - and why insurance companies are blindly paying claims nobody is reviewing→ Why self-funded employers using United, Cigna or Aetna as their TPA are paying full retail. Always.→ What PREVENT Consent is and why you should know it before you ever need an ER→ How to cite EMTALA - and why it immediately changes the conversation with hospital administrators→ Why by 2035 healthcare premiums could exceed 50% of annual household income→ What Direct Primary Care actually looks like - same day appointments, your doctor's cell phone, no insurance billing→ Why Ray is now 3 months alcohol-free - and what Dana thinks about it as a physician who ran an addiction medicine centerPlus: less than 400 food additives are approved in Europe. The US has over 10,000. They get into that too.If you're an employer, a CFO, an HR Director, a patient, or just someone who has ever been shocked by a medical bill - this episode was made for you.🔗 Love Health DPC: LoveHealthDPC.com📱 Dana's Instagram: @drdanalovehealth🎙️ Subscribe to Broken Healthcare: youtube.com/@BrokenHealthcarePodcastTimestamps:0:00 Introduction & How Ray and Dana Met4:37 Ray's Magic Mushroom Experience & Sobriety9:06 Dana's Response as a Physician & Addiction Medicine13:56 The Vibroacoustic Table & Teaching the Body Calm22:06 Hospital Consolidation & Energy Medicine in Practice26:00 The Broker Problem & How Insurance Incentives Work30:11 Nonprofit Hospitals Masquerading as For-Profits33:00 Food Additives, Glyphosate & RFK Jr.50:35 Dana's New Year's Eve ER Visit - The Story Begins1:01:00 The Bill Arrives - What She Expected vs Reality1:07:00 CPT Codes Explained & How Hospitals Maximize Billing1:17:10 What Insurers Actually Pay vs What You're Billed1:23:01 The Sentara Numbers Revealed - The Real Data1:30:00 How Self-Funded Employers Pay Full Retail1:37:00 How to Challenge Your Bills & Independent Auditing1:44:00 PREVENT Consent, EMTALA & Your Patient Rights1:57:00 Direct Primary Care Explained - The Alternative2:03:50 Love Health DPC & How to Find Dana#BrokenHealthcare #DrDanaMincer #HospitalBills #HealthcareBilling #MedicalDebt #HealthcareTransparency #DirectPrimaryCare #DPC #HealthSharing #EMTALA #HealthcareCosts #CFO #EmployerHealthcare #NonprofitHospitals #PriceTransparency #Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yeah, this one's different.No guests. No healthcare policy. No claims data. Just me, sitting down and talking about something I've never talked about publicly before.For years, a couple of drinks at the end of the day was just part of life. Business dinners, networking, winding down. A few glasses of Don Julio. Nothing dramatic - just a quiet daily habit that, somewhere along the way, became more than I wanted it to be.A guided psilocybin journey changed that. And I haven't had a drink in over two months.I'm not a doctor. I'm not here to tell anyone what to do. This is just my story - and I'm sharing it because I think too many people, especially in business, are carrying things they don't talk about. The shame around that needs to stop.In this episode I talk about the months of preparation before the journey, what the experience actually felt like, the memories that surfaced - including seeing my dad, who passed away when I was two years old, and reliving the hardest conversation I ever had with my kids, but this time through their eyes. I talk about what changed after. The calm. The presence. The fact that I just... stopped thinking about drinking.I also talk about what my doctor said when I told him. That part stuck with me.This isn't a healthcare episode. It's a human one. If it helps one person feel less alone - that's why I recorded it.⚠️ Not medical advice. Psilocybin can be dangerous for people with certain mental health histories or on specific medications - please speak to a medical professional before considering anything like this, and check the legal status in your area.brokenhealthcarepodcast.com youtube.com/@BrokenHealthcarePodcast linkedin.com/in/raykober/#BrokenHealthcare #Psilocybin #MagicMushrooms #MentalHealth #PsychedelicTherapy #Sobriety #PersonalGrowth #RayKober #MensHealth #Healing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your healthcare claims have an error rate of 8 to 12%. Most employers have no idea.In this episode of Broken Healthcare, Ray Kober sits down with Stephen Carrabba - CEO and Co-Founder of Claim Informatics - to break down what's really happening behind the scenes in healthcare claims, payment integrity, and fiduciary oversight.Stephen's team recently found $7.4 million in improperly paid claims for a single client. In two months. At a 10.9% error rate.And the fix isn't complicated. It just requires someone with no conflicts of interest to actually look.In this episode:→ Why 8-12% of healthcare claims are paid incorrectly→ The "sub $15,000" TPA story that should make every CFO furious→ Why the shared savings model creates perverse incentives and what Claim Informatics does differently→ How AI is being used to analyze 15,000 pages of contracts and find violations hiding in plain sight→ Why combining two clauses on page 1 and page 111 of your ASO can legally authorize spread pricing — and nobody catches it→ The fiduciary exposure every plan sponsor is carrying right now→ Why post-payment recovery gets harder over time and why prepayment is the smarter play→ What Marilyn Bartlett found when Montana finally just asked some simple questions ($113 million, as it turns out)→ Why "garbage in, garbage out" applies to AI - and why building a real system took 8 monthsIf you're an employer, CFO, HR leader, broker, TPA, or benefits consultant.. this episode will change how you think about every claim your plan has ever paid.🔗 Claim Informatics: claiminformatics.com📊 Independent assessment for employers: benefixa.com/#consult🎙️ Subscribe to Broken Healthcare: youtube.com/@BrokenHealthcarePodcastTimestamps:0:00 Why Healthcare Claims Feel Broken2:12 How Stephen Got Into the Space5:10 From Pharma Audits to Claim Informatics8:20 Why Medical Claims Are More Complex11:35 The Broker and TPA Problem14:20 What Changed After the CAA17:10 Why Data Access Matters20:20 How Claims Are Audited23:35 Prepayment vs Post-Payment27:00 Real Savings at Scale30:15 How Their Fee Model Works33:20 Why Shared Savings Creates Conflicts36:40 Independent Oversight and Fiduciary Risk40:05 Why Recovery Gets Harder Over Time43:10 How Much Money Gets Missed46:20 Why Contracts Matter49:30 The AI Layer53:05 What Employers Should Demand57:00 Final Thoughts#BrokenHealthcare #HealthcareClaims #ClaimInformatics #StephenCarrabba #PaymentIntegrity #ERISA #CAA #FiduciaryDuty #HealthcareTransparency #AIinHealthcare #EmployerBenefits #HealthcareCosts #TPA #SelfFundedHealthcare #Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katy Talento joins the show in-studio to share her unique journey from religious life to advising on healthcare policy at the highest levels of government - and what she believes it will take to fix the U.S. healthcare system.With a background in epidemiology, public health, and federal policy, Katy brings rare insight shaped by her experience working in the U.S. Senate and advising on healthcare issues at the White House. Her career spans global public health work, infectious disease research, and shaping national healthcare policy that impacts employers, patients, and the broader healthcare system.In this conversation, Katy shares how her early desire to change the world led her into public health, policy, and ultimately into healthcare reform efforts in Washington. She explains how incentives inside the healthcare system influence decision-making, why meaningful reform can be difficult to achieve, and why healthcare costs continue to rise despite ongoing policy changes.We also discuss how employer-sponsored healthcare plays a central role in the U.S. system, why prevention-focused models such as Direct Primary Care (DPC) are gaining attention, and how transparency may help improve healthcare outcomes over time.Subscribe for more conversations focused on improving healthcare outcomes and fixing the broken healthcare system.#HealthcareReform #HealthPolicy #HealthcareCosts #DirectPrimaryCare #EmployerHealthcare #HealthcareInnovation #HealthcareLeadership #HealthInsurance #PublicHealth #HealthcareTransparency00:00 Intro00:23 Welcome Katy Talento01:30 Early life and desire to change the world04:30 Faith journey and decision to enter religious life08:00 Global public health work and infectious disease research12:30 Working internationally in public health16:00 Entering Washington health policy20:00 Writing healthcare legislation in the U.S. Senate24:00 How healthcare policy is shaped in Washington29:00 Speechwriting and political communications32:30 Industry influence in healthcare policy36:00 Why healthcare reform is difficult to achieve40:00 How incentives influence healthcare decisions45:00 Employer-sponsored healthcare and system complexity52:00 Insurance incentives and unintended consequences58:00 Why healthcare costs continue to rise1:05:00 Transparency and accountability in healthcare1:12:00 Direct Primary Care and prevention-focused models1:18:00 Where meaningful reform may come from1:25:00 The future of healthcare policy1:31:00 Final thoughts on fixing U.S. healthcare Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Fox joins the show in-studio to explain why healthcare costs keep rising and how incentives inside the traditional health insurance system often work against employers and patients.Drawing on her experience inside the industry, Emma breaks down how compensation structures, carrier incentives, and consolidation influence employer-sponsored healthcare decisions. She explains why more organizations are exploring self-funded health plans, independent TPAs, direct primary care, and reference-based pricing as alternatives to traditional insurance models.We also discuss how collaboration between employers, advisors, and physicians can help create more transparent healthcare strategies, and why education initiatives like Symposium are helping drive innovation across the healthcare ecosystem.If you are an employer, advisor, HR leader, or healthcare professional trying to better understand rising healthcare costs, this conversation offers practical insight into how the system works and where change may happen.Subscribe for more conversations focused on improving healthcare outcomes.#HealthcareCosts #SelfFundedHealthPlans #HealthInsurance #EmployerBenefits #HealthcareInnovation #HealthcareTransparency #DirectPrimaryCare #ReferenceBasedPricing #BenefitsStrategy #HealthcareReform #TPA #HealthcareEconomics #HealthcareLeadership #BUCAIncentives 00:00 Intro 01:10 Emma’s journey from the UK to U.S. healthcare03:00 Starting in life insurance and entering the insurance industry08:30 Understanding health insurance incentives12:00 Ethical conflicts inside traditional insurance models15:00 Advisor compensation structures and industry challenges18:00 Capitalism and healthcare economics21:00 Government influence and healthcare policy realities23:00 The employer’s role in fixing healthcare27:00 The origin of Symposium30:00 Bringing employers, advisors, vendors, and physicians together32:00 Why physicians must be part of the healthcare conversation35:00 Private equity and healthcare delivery challenges38:00 Collaboration between doctors and advisors42:00 Purpose-driven advisory models45:00 Vision for improving the healthcare system52:00 Advice for employers evaluating healthcare strategies58:00 Industry collaboration and future outlook1:04:20 How to connect with Emma Fox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Organ, CEO of the Health Business Growth Collective, joins the show in-studio to discuss why the traditional healthcare system focuses on symptoms instead of root cause - and how functional medicine is changing the future of patient care.Tim shares his personal health transformation, including reducing body fat, optimising metabolic health, increasing protein intake, and improving longevity through lifestyle changes. He explains how functional medicine identifies underlying causes of illness, why regenerative therapies may reduce the need for surgery, and how practitioners are building independent health businesses outside the insurance model.We also explore AI-driven healthcare tools, preventative testing, and why the future of medicine may be more personalised, data-driven, and focused on long-term health outcomes.📌 Subscribe for more conversations on fixing the broken healthcare system.#FunctionalMedicine #Longevity #RootCause #MetabolicHealth #PreventativeHealth #RegenerativeMedicine #HealthcareInnovation #Biohacking #HealthOptimization #FutureOfHealthcare #Wellness #AIHealthcare 01:00 Tim Organ & Health Business Growth Collective 04:20 Personal health transformation & body composition changes 07:00 Protein intake, diet tracking & metabolic health 10:00 Lifestyle habits & fitness discipline 13:30 Longevity fundamentals: exercise, diet & sleep 16:30 Functional medicine vs symptom-based healthcare 20:00 Finding the root cause of chronic illness 23:00 Tim’s healthcare career journey 27:00 Digital healthcare systems & medical technology 29:30 Why practitioners are leaving insurance-based models 33:00 Challenges doctors face inside traditional healthcare 36:00 Regenerative medicine vs surgery 41:00 Why many orthopaedic procedures may be avoidable 45:00 AI in healthcare & interpreting lab data 48:30 Expanding access to functional medicine 51:00 Food systems, nutrition & chronic disease 54:00 Personal responsibility & preventative health 57:00 The future of personalised medicine 1:02:00 Business models for modern practitioners 1:07:00 Technology & data-driven health insights 1:12:00 Longevity mindset & maintaining muscle as we age 1:17:00 Final thoughts on fixing broken healthcare Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Slepak & Caleb Parker (Angle Health) on fixing the broken U.S. healthcare system.Why do healthcare costs keep rising? Why do employers feel stuck? And what would it actually take to fix the experience?In this episode of Broken Healthcare, we break down what’s really driving costs, what most plans get wrong, and how smarter design + technology could reshape employer healthcare.#BrokenHealthcare #AngleHealth #HealthInsurance #EmployerBenefits #HealthcareCosts #HealthcareInnovation #AIinHealthcare #Podcast #BenefitsConsulting #HealthcareLeadership0:00 Why Healthcare Feels Broken1:02 From State Farm to Fixing Healthcare5:02 What Makes Angle Health Different7:02 Bad Benefits vs Bad Experiences11:00 The Tech + AI Advantage16:00 Why Speed Wins in Healthcare21:00 Palantir Roots & Data Strategy24:30 Why Costs Keep Exploding30:00 The Insurance Card Problem34:30 Fixing Friction in Healthcare40:00 Guiding Patients to Better Care44:00 Why Legacy Carriers Struggle49:00 Incentives That Actually Work57:00 The Truth About Pharmacy Spend59:30 Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sanju Sriram on fixing one of the most overlooked problems in business: IRS compliance.Why do so many companies miss required filings? Why are IRS forms so difficult to understand? And what would it take to simplify a system that frustrates even experienced professionals?In this episode of Broken Healthcare, Ray sits down with Sanju — CEO of Simple Tax Suite — to talk about her journey from Silicon Valley gaming engineer to building an IRS-authorised platform that has processed more than 5 million filings.🔗 Learn more: https://simple720.com/ - Use code BROKEN for 10% off#BrokenHealthcare #TaxCompliance #IRS #Fintech #HealthcareCompliance #EmployerBenefits #CFO #BusinessFinance #Startup #Podcast 0:00 Intro + Why IRS Compliance Confuses Businesses 2:05 Sanju’s Background (Gaming + Engineering Journey) 5:10 How She Got Into Tax Technology 7:15 The Moment IRS Forms Didn’t Make Sense 10:05 Partnering With the IRS 13:10 Identifying the Compliance Gap 16:00 What Businesses Get Wrong About Reporting 19:30 What Is PCORI (Explained Simply) 23:15 Who Needs to File + Deadlines 27:00 Why Companies Miss Required Filings 30:10 Paper Filing vs Electronic Reality 33:20 Avoiding Penalties & Getting It Right 37:10 Forms Explained (720, ACA, 5500, 5330) 41:45 Working With Brokers, TPAs & Employers 46:30 Small Businesses vs Enterprise Clients 50:10 AI + Automation in Compliance 54:30 The Future of Tax Compliance 58:20 Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is a healthcare court case unfolding right now that could have massive implications for patients, employers, and how hospital consent is interpreted across the entire system.In this critical episode of Broken Healthcare, host Ray Kober sits down with healthcare outcomes expert and Validation Institute founder Al Lewis to break down a real case involving OhioHealth, a 29-hospital system in Ohio, that is now testing how consent and payment agreements actually work in practice.In this case, treatment was provided and accepted without objection. Payment was then sent via check clearly marked as payment in full for the agreed-upon amount. The check was cashed.But the story didn’t end there.After accepting and cashing the payment, additional demands for thousands more followed — raising serious questions about how consent, financial responsibility, and patient agreements are enforced in healthcare.This case is now becoming a powerful test of how consent is used — and why patients and employers need to understand exactly what they are agreeing to.One of the most important takeaways Al shares is simple but critical:Always ask for a printed copy of anything you sign in a healthcare setting.Because consent forms often contain language that can have long-term legal and financial consequences most people never fully realize.In this episode, you’ll learn:• The OhioHealth court case and why it could impact healthcare nationwide• How hospital consent forms actually work in practice• Why accepting treatment can sometimes be interpreted as accepting consent• Why requesting printed copies of consent forms is essential• How employers may unknowingly expose themselves to significant financial risk• The mission behind Quizzify and how it helps people make smarter healthcare decisions• How the Validation Institute independently verifies healthcare solutionsMost people assume healthcare is straightforward.But the reality is far more complex.This conversation exposes how the system actually works — and why awareness is one of the most important protections you have.⚠️ This episode is essential viewing for:• Employers and benefits leaders• Healthcare executives and advisors• HR professionals• Anyone who has signed hospital paperwork• Anyone who wants to understand their rights and risks in healthcareBecause what you sign — and what you don’t question — can matter more than you think.👤 About Al LewisAl Lewis is founder of the Validation Institute and Quizzify, and one of the most respected and outspoken healthcare outcomes experts in the country. His work focuses on bringing transparency, accountability, and evidence-based validation to healthcare.🎙 About Broken HealthcareHosted by Ray Kober, Broken Healthcare explores the real drivers of healthcare costs, consent, incentives, and accountability — and brings clarity to leaders navigating one of the most complex systems in the world.No spin. Just reality.🔔 Subscribe to Broken HealthcareIf you want to understand how healthcare really works — and how to protect yourself and your organization — subscribe and turn on notifications.💬 Join the conversationHave you ever signed healthcare paperwork without fully understanding it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when Sir Winston Churchill walks into a modern podcast studio… and then steps out of character?In this unforgettable episode of Broken Healthcare, host Ray Kober sits down with Randy Otto — a financial advisor, historian, and the only man ever endorsed by the Churchill family to portray Sir Winston Churchill.For over 54 years, Randy has embodied Churchill on stages around the world. In this conversation, he does something extraordinary:🎩 Part one: He is Winston Churchill — recounting war, leadership, failure, resilience, and the legendary “black dog” in Churchill’s own voice.🧠 Part two: He steps out of character as Randy Otto, revealing what decades of studying Churchill taught him about creativity, mental health, destiny, money, and leadership.You’ll hear:- How Churchill survived his greatest failure (Gallipoli)- Why painting saved his life — and his mind- The real story behind the “black dog” of depression- Leadership lessons forged in war that still apply today- What it means to believe in destiny — and fight for itThis isn’t history class.This is living history, performed by the man who knows Churchill better than anyone alive.🎙️ Sit back, listen closely — and decide for yourself when the character ends and the wisdom begins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America doesn’t have a healthcare problem.It has a healthcare business problem — and we’re all trapped inside it.In this powerful episode of Broken Healthcare, host Ray Kober sits down with Chris Deacon — attorney, healthcare policy expert, former Director of State Health Benefits for New Jersey, and author of The Great American Healthcare Heist — to expose how America’s healthcare system became a $5 trillion machine that patients, employers, and taxpayers can’t escape.Chris isn’t a theorist.She ran healthcare for nearly 800,000 lives and managed a $6–7 billion annual healthcare budget inside government.What she discovered changed everything.In this episode, you’ll learn:- Why Americans are paying $17,000–$50,000 per family per year and still can’t afford care- How insurers, PBMs, and hospitals operate as vertically integrated monopolies- Why “nonprofit” hospitals behave like Wall Street corporations — without paying taxes- How consolidation destroyed community hospitals and accountability- Why politicians of both parties are trapped by lobbying and reelection incentives- How young government staffers are “educated” by industry lobbyists- Why $1.5 BILLION in savings was realistically achievable — without cutting benefits- How employers blindly write healthcare checks they’d never approve anywhere else- Why Americans are handed a $50,000 system with no instruction manual- How the healthcare system itself can become dangerous if navigated incorrectlyChris delivers one of the most important analogies in healthcare today:“We hand people a $50,000 Volvo and say ‘good luck’ — no driving lessons, no instruction manual — and then blame them when it goes wrong.”This conversation isn’t partisan.It’s not theoretical.And it’s not about selling you anything.It’s about education, accountability, and taking control of a system that quietly drains families, employers, and communities.If you’ve ever:1- Been afraid to seek care because of cost2- Opened a medical bill and thought “this can’t be real”3- Managed employee benefits and felt completely boxed in4 - Wondered why healthcare feels impossible to fixThis episode will change how you see everything.Watch. Share. And start asking better questions.ABOUT CHRIS DEACONChris Deacon is an attorney, healthcare policy expert, former Director of State Health Benefits for New Jersey, national speaker, whistleblower, and featured voice in the documentary It’s Not Personal, It’s Just Healthcare. She oversaw healthcare for nearly 800,000 public employees and dependents and managed one of the largest state healthcare budgets in the country.She now focuses on education, policy consulting, and public advocacy to help employers, policymakers, and the public understand how the system actually works — and how it can be improved.PURCHASE HER BOOKThe Great American Healthcare Heist by Chris DeaconAvailable at:AmazonMajor online book retailersIndependent bookstores (by request)(Search: The Great American Healthcare Heist – Chris Deacon)HOW TO CONTACT CHRIS DEACONLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cdeaconc/Active on LinkedIn with regular healthcare insights and commentaryLong-form writing available via Substack: https://substack.com/@chrisdeaconahealthcareheistOpen to messages, dialogue, and education-focused engagementSUPPORT THE SHOWIf this episode resonated:Like the videoSubscribe to Broken HealthcareShare with someone who’s tired of the status quoHealthcare doesn’t change without informed pressure — and that starts here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Broken healthcare is failing millions of Americans — especially hourly and frontline workers.In this episode of the Broken Healthcare Podcast, host Ray Kober sits down in-studio with Lexie Leitner, PA-C, Vice President of Clinical Operations at River Health, to unpack why the traditional U.S. healthcare system no longer works — and what it will take to fix it.Lexie shares her journey from family medicine to healthcare innovation, and explains how River Health is rethinking access, affordability, and care delivery for workers who are often left behind by employer-sponsored insurance.One of the most powerful parts of River Health’s model? Mental health is treated as essential care — not an add-on. Members receive unlimited virtual therapy plus free access to the Calm app, helping address anxiety, burnout, depression, and everyday stress without barriers, copays, or long wait times.In this episode, we cover:Why high-deductible health plans leave Americans functionally uninsuredHow hourly workers fall through the cracks of traditional healthcareThe real reason healthcare costs keep rising (and who actually pays)How River Health delivers unlimited virtual primary care, labs, prescriptions, imaging, and urgent care access for a flat monthly costWhy unlimited teletherapy and Calm access are critical in today’s mental health crisisHow employers can support workforce health without $40,000 insurance plansThe difference between insurance and actual access to careHow healthcare became so complex — and what simplicity looks like againIf you’re an employer, HR leader, healthcare professional, or someone frustrated with the cost and confusion of U.S. healthcare, this conversation will challenge how you think about coverage, value, and care.🎧 Subscribe to Broken Healthcare for real conversations about what’s broken — and what can actually fix it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The U.S. healthcare system is broken — and doctors are burning out just as fast as patients.In this powerful in-studio episode of the Broken Healthcare Podcast, host Ray Kober sits down with Dr. Dana Mincer, a board-certified osteopathic physician and Direct Primary Care (DPC) doctor, to expose what’s really happening behind the scenes of American healthcare.Dr. Mincer shares her raw, unfiltered journey — from medical training and provider burnout to mental health struggles, patient advocacy, and ultimately walking away from the insurance-driven system to build a direct primary care practice centered on time, transparency, and human connection.In this episode, we cover:- Why traditional insurance-based healthcare is failing both patients and doctors- What Direct Primary Care (DPC) actually is — and why it works- The healthcare insurance cartel, price opacity, and hospital consolidation- Doctor burnout, moral injury, and why so many physicians want out- Mental health, ADHD, anxiety, and the limits of medication-only care- Why relationship-based medicine leads to better outcomes and lower costs- How free-market healthcare models are restoring trust and autonomyThis conversation is a must-watch for patients, employers, physicians, and anyone who knows the system feels wrong but hasn’t been able to put it into words.🎙️ If you care about:✔ Broken healthcare✔ Direct primary care✔ Medical burnout✔ Mental health reform✔ Free-market healthcare solutions— this episode is for you.👉 Subscribe for more conversations on fixing the U.S. healthcare system from the inside out.👉 Like & comment to help this message reach more people who need to hear it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America doesn’t have a healthcare system — it has a sick care system.In this powerful episode of the Broken Healthcare Podcast, host Ray Kober sits down with Dr. Kyle Rickner, a pioneer of the Direct Primary Care (DPC) movement and co-founder of Primary Health Partners, to expose why U.S. healthcare is failing patients and doctors — and what it will take to fix it.Dr. Rickner shares his journey from being an employed physician inside a hospital system to breaking free and helping build a multi-state Direct Primary Care network that puts doctors and patients back in control.If you’ve ever wondered:Why healthcare costs keep explodingWhy doctors are burned out and leaving medicineWhy insurance dominates every medical decisionHow Direct Primary Care actually worksHow employers can slash healthcare costs without sacrificing careThis episode will change how you think about healthcare forever.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why insurance and hospital systems broke healthcareHow Direct Primary Care eliminates middlemenWhy doctors have lost autonomy — and how DPC restores itThe truth about cash-pay healthcare and transparent pricingHow employers are quietly escaping traditional insuranceWhy prevention actually works when doctors have timeWhat it takes to scale DPC nationallyWhy this fight is about saving doctors’ lives, not just moneyWhat Is Direct Primary Care?Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a membership-based healthcare model where patients pay a flat monthly fee for unlimited access to their doctor — no insurance billing, no copays, no rushed visits.Patients get:✔ Longer appointments✔ Same-day or next-day access✔ Direct communication with their doctor✔ Transparent pricing✔ Better outcomes at lower costDoctors get:✔ Autonomy✔ Time with patients✔ Freedom from insurance bureaucracy✔ A sustainable career🔔 Subscribe for More Conversations That Expose Broken HealthcareIf you’re tired of confusing bills, rushed visits, and a system that puts profits over people — subscribe to Broken Healthcare for real conversations with doctors, employers, and innovators rebuilding healthcare from the ground up.👍 Like💬 Comment🔔 Subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Broken Healthcare, host Ray Kober sits down with Karen Van Caulil, President & CEO of the Florida Alliance for Healthcare Value — one of the nation’s most respected employer coalitions driving real healthcare reform.Karen shares insider-level insights from 14+ years of working with public and private employers to reduce costs, improve quality, and fight back against the entrenched interests that keep U.S. healthcare expensive, confusing, and opaque.What We Cover in This Episode:- Why U.S. healthcare remains broken — and what employers can realistically do about it- The truth about PBMs, 340B, and the lack of price transparency- Why employers still struggle to obtain their own claims data (despite the law)- How the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) changes employer fiduciary responsibility- How business coalitions (like the Florida Alliance) are reshaping healthcare markets- Real-world examples: Rosen Hotels, MarineMax, and employers who cracked the code- The role of brokers — and how misaligned incentives block meaningful change- What policymakers get wrong — and why employer voices matter more than ever- Practical steps employers can take right now to protect their plan, members, and dollarsIf you’ve ever wondered how employers can fight back against waste, fraud, and abuse in a $5 trillion system — this is the episode you need.About Karen Van Caulil: Karen leads the Florida Alliance for Healthcare Value, representing 80+ employers across the state and nationally. With a deep background in health policy, administration, and clinical planning, she is one of the leading voices advocating for employer-led healthcare reform, transparency, and accountability.Connect with Karen: https://flhealthvalue.org/https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenvancaulilphd/Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders fixing U.S. healthcare from the inside out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tiffany Ryder walked into the studio like she walks through life — calm, confident, and not here for anybody’s nonsense. A former NFL cheerleader turned physician assistant, Tiffany has seen the best and worst of America’s healthcare system, and this episode hits on everything people wish they could ask their doctors but never do.Tiffany grew up in rural Louisiana with almost no access to care. Later she found herself working with wounded veterans at Walter Reed, studying medicine in Germany, and eventually serving on the front lines of emergency medicine — right through COVID.In this conversation, we get into:• why so many patients get bad advice• the stuff you’re not told about vaccines, Tylenol, metabolic health & chronic disease• what really happens behind the scenes in emergency rooms• how she reversed prediabetes and PCOS with lifestyle changes her doctor never mentioned• why she believes you are the only true advocate for your health• how politics has hijacked medicine — and the cost of staying silent• what she learned treating wounded service members• the culture of “diagnose & prescribe” that keeps people sick• her transition from NFL cheerleader to PA• and what she’s working on through her Substack, Signal and NoiseTiffany keeps it real. She doesn’t sugar-coat and she’s doing something incredibly rare in this space:She’s using her press access to cover FDA and HHS to actually ask the questions most people are afraid to touch.This episode is packed with perspective, data, lived experience, and a level of honesty that’s rare in healthcare conversations. If you care about your health, your kids, or the future of medical transparency, this one’s worth every minute.Subscribe to Signal and Noise on Substack: https://signalandnoise.online/p/welcome-to-signal-and-noise-c79 Connect with Tiffany on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanyryder/If you want Tiffany to cover a topic, she’s an open book — just send her a message.Drop a comment with your thoughts, your story, or your biggest takeaway from Tiffany’s journey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does Wall Street have in common with America’s broken healthcare system?In this powerful in-studio conversation, host Ray Kober sits down with Barbara Delaney, a trailblazing financial leader who’s been shaping the retirement and fiduciary landscape since 1981.Barbara shares her incredible journey—from being the only woman in her Wall Street training class at EF Hutton, to transforming the retirement industry, to exposing the hidden parallels between finance and healthcare.They dive deep into:The fiduciary crisis in both finance and healthcareHow ERISA laws tie Wall Street and health benefits togetherWhy employers are unknowingly running “mini healthcare companies”Lessons learned from the 2008 crash and how they apply to today’s healthcare costsHow transparency, accountability, and fiduciary duty could finally fix what’s brokenIf you care about money, healthcare, or the future of fiduciary responsibility, this episode is a must-watch.🎧 Listen now and join the movement to fix the system.🔗 Subscribe for more episodes of Broken Healthcare with Ray Kober.#BrokenHealthcare #BarbaraDelaney #FiduciaryDuty #WallStreet #HealthcareReform #FinancePodcast #ERISA #RayKober Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the dojo to the battlefield to the operating room — this is the story of a real-life warrior healer.In this episode of Broken Healthcare, host Ray Kober sits down with Dr. Demetrio Aguila — a plastic and nerve surgeon, U.S. Air Force veteran, and lifelong martial artist on a mission to fix America’s broken healthcare system.🥋 Martial Arts. He earned his first black belt at 13, mastered Aikido, and became a 4th-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do. The discipline, focus, and humility he learned on the mat shaped the surgeon he became.✈️ The Air Force. As a combat surgeon in Afghanistan, Dr. Aguila performed life-saving operations under fire — and saw firsthand the cost of pain, trauma, and courage.🩺 The Surgeon. Back home, he’s changing lives through nerve surgery and pain elimination, helping patients walk again, smile again, and live again — often after decades of suffering.💜 The Mission. Through Healing Hands of America and Operation Warrior’s Hope, Dr. Aguila and his team provide affordable, debt-free surgeries — including free care for Purple Heart veterans who’ve been told “nothing more can be done.”⚡ In this episode:• How martial arts discipline shaped his surgical precision• Lessons from Afghanistan and the battlefield of modern medicine• The truth about Tylenol, data, and dangerous misinformation• Why faith and focus belong in healthcare• How free-market medicine is restoring hope to patients nationwide💡 About Dr. Aguila:Dr. Demetrio Aguila is a board-certified plastic and peripheral nerve surgeon, founder of Total Pain Solutions and Healing Hands of America, and a 4th-degree Tang Soo Do black belt. His work merges science, soul, and service to bring healing back to healthcare.🗣️ Join the Movement:Comment, share, and subscribe if you believe healthcare can be human again.#BrokenHealthcare #DrDemetrioAguila #MartialArts #AirForceVeteran #PainManagement #NerveSurgery #HealingHandsOfAmerica #OperationWarriorsHope #FaithInMedicine #HealthcareReform #PurpleHeartVeterans #TangSooDo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This dermatologist just changed cancer detection forever.In this powerful episode of Broken Healthcare, host Ray Kober sits down in studio with husband-and-wife innovators Dr. Mike and Elizabeth Webb, the creators of CheckMySpot — a revolutionary app that lets anyone screen potential skin cancers from their phone.Dr. Webb, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon, shares his 30-year journey in medicine, from tackling advanced skin cancer cases to developing a simple, life-saving technology. Elizabeth reveals how a small-town problem inspired a nationwide solution — helping people get faster access to care when it matters most.Together, they unpack:✅ Why early detection means a 99% survival rate for melanoma✅ How the broken healthcare system delays life-saving diagnoses✅ The science and myth of sun exposure and sunscreen safety✅ What “appraisal delay” is — and how it costs lives✅ How Check My Spot eliminates wait times and saves employers money✅ Why validation from the Validation Institute proves this app worksWhether you’re a patient, healthcare leader, or benefits advisor — this episode will open your eyes to what’s truly possible when innovation meets compassion.🧠 Key Takeaways:- 1 in 5 people will develop non-melanoma skin cancer.- Early detection = 99% cure rate; late detection can drop survival below 40%.- Access to care is one of the biggest failures in modern healthcare.- Check My Spot empowers users to get fast, expert triage for suspicious moles.- Validation Institute confirmed the app’s clinical and financial impact.- The Webbs’ goal: democratize dermatology and save lives through technology.📱 Connect & Learn More:🔗 Download the app: CheckMySpot💼 https://www.checkmyspot.com/how-it-works Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 3 of 3 - Woody WatersThis is the final chapter — an unfiltered, eye-opening conversation with Woody Waters, co-founder of Reference-Based Pricing and Imagine360In this finale, Woody and Ray pull no punches. They uncover why real healthcare reform will never come from Washington — and why business leaders must take control of their plans, their costs, and their people’s wellbeing.Woody reveals why Imagine360 had to bring every solution under one roof — handling balance bills, claims, and member advocacy in-house to deliver the service excellence employers and employees deserve. You can’t rely on the same system that broke healthcare to fix it.He also shares a shocking discovery: after hiring a consultancy to survey brokers and producers, over 70% claimed to be experts in Reference-Based Pricing — but only three could accurately explain how it works. The takeaway? The market is flooded with noise, and true expertise is rare.In this episode:- Why healthcare reform starts with leadership, not legislation- How Imagine360 solves every issue under one roof — and why that matters- The shocking truth about “RBP experts” who don’t understand the model- Why owning a TPA became mission-critical for lasting change- How empathy, transparency, and courage drive real reform🎙 Hosted by Ray Kober💬 Featuring Woody Waters, Founder of Reference-Based Pricing & CEO of Imagine360 (https://www.imagine360.com)👉 Watch the full Broken Healthcare trilogy here: https://www.youtube.com/@BrokenHealthcarePodcast#BrokenHealthcare #WoodyWaters #Imagine360 #HealthcareReform #Leadership #RBP #HealthcareCosts #BusinessChange #PodcastSeries Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America spends $5 TRILLION on healthcare… and ranks DEAD LAST. Ask yourself WHY?!The Senate hearing on the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda was a circus — and what happened to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. proves just how broken our system is.I feel it’s my personal duty to bring you the facts the media won’t. In this video, I break it all down:- Why I stand with RFK Jr. after watching the abuse he took in this hearing- The shocking truth from CommonwealthFund.org — the U.S. spends $5 TRILLION on healthcare yet ranks dead last worldwide- A live screen share of OpenSecrets.com showing six-figure campaign donations — conflicts of interest that drive healthcare costs through the roof- The ugly reality of PAC money and agency corruption- Why we’re being lied to about what’s possible in healthcare — and how we can actually cut costs in half while getting better careYou’ll also see a raw, unfiltered clip of the Senate grilling — the kind of footage you won’t find on the news or any mainstream outlet.Healthcare shouldn’t be political. But as long as money and corruption run the show, we’ll all keep paying the price.#RFKJr #MAHA #HealthcareCorruption #SenateHearing #FollowTheMoney Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 2 of 3 – Woody WatersIn this powerful second installment of Broken Healthcare, host Ray Kober continues his deep, unfiltered conversation with Woody Waters, the co-founder of Reference-Based Pricing and a pioneer determined to expose what’s really happening inside America’s healthcare system.Woody pulls no punches as he reveals how corruption, greed, and broken incentives have turned healthcare into a profit machine — one that’s stacked against patients, families, and even well-intentioned brokers.In this episode:- The brutal truth about how big insurers, PBMs, and politicians keep costs sky-high- Why companies like Coca-Cola and Delta could change everything — but won’t- How business leaders can fix what the government can’t- The shocking story of how one mother’s fight against hospital overbilling changed everything- And the unsung heroes behind Woody’s mission: military spouses, teachers, and social workers — empathetic people who left everything behind to help patients fight back against an unfair system“You can’t teach empathy,” Woody says. “That’s why we hire people who already care — military spouses, former teachers, social workers — people who understand what it means to serve.”This is the human side of healthcare reform — the real people behind the fight to take back control from corporate greed.👉 Don’t miss Part 3 — coming next week — as we uncover what it will really take to rebuild the system from the ground up.🎧 Catch Up:🔹 Part 1 – The Origin of Reference-Based Pricing → https://youtu.be/dcmFlDerEnA🔹 Subscribe & hit the bell so you don’t miss the finale.#BrokenHealthcare #WoodyWaters #HealthcareCorruption #HealthcareReform #ReferenceBasedPricing #RayCober #MedicalCosts #HealthcareSystem #MilitarySpouses #EmpathyInAction #BusinessLeadership #Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former hospital CEO Darrell Moon ran ten hospitals before walking away — disillusioned by how America’s healthcare system rewards sickness instead of health. Today, he’s on a mission to help CEOs take control of the second-largest expense in business and lead the revolution to fix healthcare.In this powerful episode of The Broken Healthcare Podcast, host Ray Kober and Darrell unpack: 🏥 Why hospitals are incentivized to keep beds full — not people healthy. 💰 How misaligned incentives have CEOs unknowingly funding their own rising costs. 📊 Why Darrell believes CEOs — not HR, not brokers — must own healthcare decisions if real change is ever going to happen. 🌎 The NUKA System of Care: how a Native Alaskan community built the best healthcare model in the world at half the cost. ❤️ How relationships and trust — not procedures — hold the key to better outcomes and lower costs.This is a masterclass in understanding America’s $5 trillion healthcare problem — and what real leaders can do about it.📘 Darrell’s book: Make Healthcare Work for You (available on Amazon) 🔗 Follow us for insights that challenge the status quo and inspire action.#BrokenHealthcare #DarrellMoon #HealthcareReform #EmployerLeadership #HealthRosetta #HealthcareRevolution #RayKober #CEOs #HealthcareCosts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wondered where Reference-Based Pricing (RBP) came from — or who helped create it? In this episode, host Ray Kober sits down with Woody Waters, one of the original founders of RBP and a true pioneer in bringing transparency and fairness to healthcare costs.Woody shares his 33-year journey through the insurance world — from his early days as a broker to co-founding the model that reshaped how employers manage healthcare spending. Learn how his work helped lay the foundation for what eventually became Imagine360 (👉 imagine360.com).💬 In this episode:The origin story of Reference-Based PricingWhy healthcare pricing became so brokenHow employers can regain control of their healthcare costsWhat “cost + Medicare” pricing really meansThe truth about self-funded and level-funded plans🔥 Don’t miss Part 2 next week, where Woody dives deeper into how RBP evolved and what’s next for employers and employees in the healthcare space.👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you don’t miss Part 2 and future episodes of the Broken Healthcare Podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The U.S. healthcare system is failing millions of patients with diabetes and chronic disease. My guest, Dr. Arti Thangudu, an endocrinologist, disruptor, and patient advocate, saw it firsthand—and decided to do something radical.After leaving one of the largest endocrine clinics in the country, Dr. Thangudu launched her own direct care practice, Complete Medicine, proving that real outcomes—lower A1Cs, fewer hospitalizations, and better lives—are possible when doctors put patients first.In this powerful conversation, we cover:✅ Why traditional healthcare is broken for patients with chronic disease✅ How direct care endocrinology works (and why it’s a game-changer)✅ The shortage of endocrinologists across the U.S.—and what that means for patients✅ Dr. Thangudu’s inspiring journey from journalism student to physician entrepreneur✅ The truth about hormone replacement therapy (HRT/MHT): why women were misled, what the science really shows, and how the right treatment can be life-changing✅ How she’s rebuilding trust in medicine, one patient at a timeIf you’ve ever wondered why our system feels so impersonal—and what can actually be done to fix it—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more stories on how we can rebuild healthcare together.#BrokenHealthcare #DiabetesCare #DirectPrimaryCare #ArtiThangudu #HormoneReplacementTherapy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The U.S. healthcare system is broken—and today, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood programs driving billions of dollars in drug pricing.In this episode of Broken Healthcare, Ray Kober sits down with Thomas Johnson—an attorney by trade and Executive Director of the Alliance to Save America’s 340B Program (ASAP 340B)—to uncover the truth about how the 340B drug pricing program, originally designed to help underserved communities, has ballooned into a $120+ billion system with little oversight.Thomas’s career is rooted in public policy and advocacy. While working with the Medical Society of DC, he helped get the city council to pass the first comprehensive anti-smoking ban in the country—a groundbreaking public health milestone that shaped his commitment to reform.🔎 You’ll learn:How the 340B program started with good intentions but drifted far from its missionWhy hospitals are marking up drugs by 500–1000% and who really pays the priceThe staggering 20% annual growth of the program and its hidden impact on businesses and patientsWhy transparency, accountability, and reform are urgently neededHow ordinary people can take action to demand change🔥 Thomas: “Let’s get back to our mission of making sure that covered entities can help those who are in underserved areas.”If you care about healthcare costs, patient access, or just want to understand how Washington works behind the scenes, this is a must-listen.🌐 Connect with Thomas Johnson & ASAP 340B 👉 Website: https://www.asap340b.org📌 Support the Show If you found this eye-opening, hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Together, we can fix America’s broken healthcare system. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re live in Salt Lake City at Ascend 2025 with the incredible Naama O. Pozniak — entrepreneur, meditation guide, health insurance disruptor, and true believer that we can turn “sick care” into real healthcare.In this episode, Naama shares her journey from running an insurance agency to leading global meditation sessions, her chance encounter with Deepak Chopra, and why meditation is more than just a practice — it’s medicine for our broken healthcare system.We dive into: ✨ The power of yoga + meditation in transforming health ✨ How to bring mindfulness into corporate America ✨ Why blockchain + healthcare might be the future ✨ A guided meditation you can join in right from the podcastThis one is equal parts soulful and practical — perfect for anyone curious about better healthcare, wellness, or just needing a reset.Together, we can make healthcare better for everyone.#Healthcare #Meditation #Blockchain #NaamaPozniak #Ascend2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Take a mindful pause with Naama O. Pozniak as she leads a powerful guided meditation — recorded live at Ascend 2025 in Salt Lake City.In just a few minutes, Naama helps us: ✨ Release stress + tension ✨ Reconnect with breath, body, and spirit ✨ Center ourselves with gratitude and compassionWhether you’re new to meditation or a longtime practitioner, this short session is the perfect reset for your day.#Meditation #GuidedMeditation #NaamaPozniak #Ascend2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this in-studio episode of the Broken Healthcare Podcast, host Ray Kober sits down with David C Smith, Senior Vice President at eBen Benefits, for a powerful conversation on how employers can finally take control of their healthcare costs while improving care for employees.David’s path is unique: he went to law school and worked as an attorney before ultimately finding his calling in the benefits and insurance industry. That legal foundation gives him a sharp perspective on contracts, compliance, and the forces shaping healthcare costs — insights he now uses to help organizations save millions.“We’ve been told healthcare is unfixable — but the truth is, employers have more leverage than they realize.” – David SmithWhat you’ll learn in this episode:✅ How David’s legal background informs his approach to healthcare strategy✅ Why healthcare costs keep climbing despite worsening employee experience✅ The hidden forces inflating employer healthcare spend✅ How eBen Benefits is helping organizations break free from the status quo✅ Practical strategies to save money and improve employee benefits✅ Why lasting reform starts with business leaders, not WashingtonIf you’re a CEO, CFO, HR leader, or benefits strategist, this conversation is a must-watch.🔗 Learn more about David & eBen Benefits:🌐 Website: https://www.ebenbenefits.com/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidcurtissmith/ 📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to the Broken Healthcare Podcast for more conversations on fixing America’s healthcare system.#BrokenHealthcarePodcast #DavidSmith #eBenBenefits #EmployerBenefits #HealthcareReform Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful live episode of the Broken Healthcare Podcast, recorded at ASCEND 2025 in Salt Lake City, host Ray Kober sits down with Jessica Brooks-Woods, CEO of the Executive Leadership Council and former CEO of the Pittsburgh Business Group on Health, to discuss how employers can transform healthcare for their people.Jessica brings a unique perspective on the intersection of equity, business, and healthcare strategy. She shares why employers must go beyond “buying benefits” and start driving real change in cost, quality, and access.“Healthcare is broken, but employers have more power than they think to fix it. We have to shift from being passive purchasers to active shapers of the system.” – Jessica Brooks-WoodsKey topics we cover: ✅ Why healthcare inequities persist—and how employers can close the gaps ✅ How rising costs are impacting both business growth and employee well-being ✅ The role of leadership and advocacy in fixing a broken system ✅ Practical steps organizations can take to save money and improve outcomes ✅ Jessica’s vision for a more sustainable, equitable healthcare futureIf you’re a CEO, CFO, HR leader, or benefits strategist, this is a must-hear conversation that could change the way you approach employee healthcare. 💼 LinkedIn: (7) Jessica Brooks Woods CEO, MPM, PHR | LinkedIn 🌐 NABIP: http://www.nabip.org📌 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more conversations with leaders driving change in healthcare.#BrokenHealthcarePodcast #JessicaBrooksWoods #HealthcareEquity #EmployerBenefits #ASCEND2025 #HealthcareLeadership Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of the Broken Healthcare Podcast, filmed live at ASCEND 2025 in Salt Lake City, host Ray Kober sits down with David Kinsey, Vice President of Partnerships & Sales for TempoPay and PayMedix, to discuss how his companies are helping employers and employees take control of rising healthcare costs.David shares powerful insights into the financial struggles employees face today:“60% of the U.S. population can’t afford a $1,000 out-of-pocket medical expense.”With TempoPay, employers can offer their workforce interest-free credit lines (from $500 to $5,000) for medical expenses, prescriptions, dental, vision, and even veterinary care—with no credit checks required.“We’re leveling the playing field. Even people with a credit score below 350 can now access the care they need—without resorting to high-interest credit cards.”Meanwhile, PayMedix ensures providers are guaranteed payment for patient responsibility, improving access to care while reducing bad debt. Employers benefit from lower turnover, improved presenteeism, and reduced healthcare trend—running 2% below market average.David also explains why this matters for every employer, not just those with lower-wage workforces:“Even higher-paid populations often struggle with high deductibles and HSAs. We give them a budgetable way to pay for care, while preserving their savings.”Key takeaways from this episode:✅ Employers can save money while supporting employee health✅ Employees avoid financial stress and delayed care✅ Providers reduce uncompensated care and secure payments✅ Everyone wins with a more sustainable, affordable healthcare model🔗 Learn more & connect with David Kinsey:🌐 https://www.tempopay.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kinsey-cltnc/ If you’re an employer, advisor, or healthcare leader, this conversation is a must-watch. Discover how TempoPay and PayMedix are transforming the future of healthcare affordability.👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the Broken Healthcare Podcast for more strategies to cut costs and fix healthcare.#HealthcareCosts #EmployerBenefits #TempoPay #PayMedix #HealthcareSavings #BrokenHealthcarePodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🔥 Live from Ascend 2025 in Salt Lake City! Host Ray Kober sits down with Trace Voshell of GoGoMeds for a powerful conversation on fitness, discipline, pharmacy disruption, and why fixing healthcare starts with doing the uncomfortable work — in and out of the gym.Trace brings his background in college baseball, CrossFit, bowhunting, and pharmaceutical sales to shed light on how GoGoMeds is shaking up the industry with affordable generics, white-labeled pharmacy solutions for DPC clinics, and no-nonsense pricing for employers.🎙 In this episode:Why your primary care doctor might be your best pharmacy partnerThe power of CrossFit mentality in life and businessHow self-funded employers can save thousands without PMPM gimmicksThe growing DPC movement — and what it means for real healthcare reformA few laughs, lessons in grit, and... Trace’s sweet tooth 🧁This isn’t just another pharmacy sales pitch — it’s a conversation about leadership, lifestyle, and building a healthcare model that actually works for people.📦 Want to save on prescriptions or empower your employees with smarter benefits? Learn more at: https://www.gogomeds.com🔗 Connect with Trace Voshell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trace-voshell🎧 Subscribe to The Broken Healthcare Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@BrokenHealthcarePodcast 👇 If this episode made you think — or made you laugh — drop a like, comment, and share. Let’s fix what’s broken.#BrokenHealthcare #HealthcareReform #DPC #PBMTransparency #GenericMeds #GoGoMeds #Ascend2025 #RayKober #TraceVoshell #CrossFitMindset #Podcast #HealthTech #DirectPrimaryCare #EmployerBenefits Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is your company overpaying for healthcare? Discover how captive insurance is changing the game for employers in this episode of Broken Healthcare.Host Ray Kober sits down with Phil Holowka, founder of Complete Captive and MedTrans Ltd., and Rob Zwirn, CFO of Action Ambulance, to unpack the truth about employer healthcare spend—and how to take back control.💥 Key Takeaways:What exactly is a captive insurance model—and how it worksHow employers can turn a healthcare expense into a strategic assetWhy captive insurance isn’t for everyone (and who it is for)Real-world savings: How Rob’s company cut costs by nearly 50%Why having access to claims data is a total game-changerHow employers can maintain national carrier networks (like Cigna) without being stuck in the BUCA systemThe compliance wake-up call: CAA & fiduciary duty in healthcareCommon misconceptions about self-funding and PHI accessAnd how employers can start evaluating whether captive is right for them💼 Whether you're a CFO, HR leader, benefits consultant, or just fed up with the status quo in employer healthcare—this episode is a must-watch.📩 Want to connect with Phil or Rob?Visit:🔗 https://completecaptive.com🔗 https://medtransltd.com🔗 https://actionems.com👍 Like, comment, and subscribe to join the conversation and help fix our broken healthcare system.🔔 Don’t forget to hit the bell so you never miss a new episode!#CaptiveInsurance #HealthcareSavings #EmployerBenefits #BrokenHealthcare #StopLoss #SelfFunding #InsuranceInnovation #RayKober #PhilHolowka #RobZwirn #CompleteCaptive #MedTrans #HealthcareReform Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this eye-opening episode of Broken Healthcare, host Ray Kober sits down with Shawn Gremminger, President & CEO of the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions, to expose why healthcare feels out of control — and what employers can actually do about it.Shawn brings decades of insider knowledge from Capitol Hill, lobbying firms, and national coalitions to reveal how policy, politics, and industry forces shape the $5 trillion U.S. healthcare system — and why employers have far more power than they realize.🔎 In this episode:The truth about lobbyists, money in politics, and how healthcare laws really get madeThe story behind the No Surprises Act and why it almost didn’t passWhy most employers are “self-funded” in name only — and how to fix thatHow the National Alliance influences policy for 90M+ livesWhy regional coalitions may be the key to reshaping healthcare at scaleA behind-the-scenes look at working in D.C. — and why compromise still matters💬 “We can’t keep pretending we have no control. Employers have more leverage than they realize — they just need to organize, get loud, and push back.” – Shawn GremmingerIf you're a CFO, CHRO, benefits leader, or policy junkie, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.📺 Watch now and subscribe for more real talk from the front lines of healthcare reform.#BrokenHealthcare #ShawnGremminger #RayKober #EmployerBenefits #HealthcarePolicy #NationalAlliance #NoSurprisesAct #SelfFundedPlans #HealthcareReform #DCPolitics #HealthcareLeadership #HealthPlanStrategy #CFO #CHRO Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode of Broken Healthcare, host Ray Kober sits down with Jeff Bak, CEO of Imagine360, to dismantle the myths around employer-sponsored healthcare and reveal how reference-based pricing (RBP) is slashing costs, improving care access, and offering a real alternative to bloated PPO plans.🚨 If you're an employer, broker, CFO, or HR leader sick of runaway healthcare costs — this is the episode you can't afford to miss.🔍 Topics We Cover:How Imagine360 evolved from ELAP Services to a full-scale alternative health planWhat reference-based pricing really is — and why it’s not “voodoo”Real-world strategies to cut 20–30% in healthcare spendInsider tactics to negotiate provider rates and eliminate overbillingWhy traditional PPO plans keep employers trapped — and how to break freeHow employers like hospitals and transportation companies are using RBP to take back control💡 Whether you're new to self-funding or already exploring innovative solutions, this episode offers hard-won lessons, real data, and a roadmap to building a sustainable, transparent healthcare plan for your organization.🔗 Subscribe for more bold, no-BS conversations about fixing American healthcare.#BrokenHealthcare #ReferenceBasedPricing #HealthcareReform #EmployerHealthcare #Imagine360 #JeffBak #RayKober #ELAP #SelfFundedPlans #StopLoss #RBP #HealthPlanStrategy #CFOHealthcare Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if your city could save millions AND give employees better healthcare?In this eye-opening episode of Broken Healthcare, host Ray Kober sits down with Jolee Perez, Director of Employee Benefits for the City of McAllen, Texas. She shares how her team broke away from the broken system, embraced Direct Primary Care, and revolutionized healthcare for over 3,000 lives—saving the city $8 million in just two years.👉 Discover how a dysfunctional system was transformed with common sense, courage, and care.🔥 Topics Covered:The brutal reality of rising healthcare costsHow Direct Primary Care became a game-changerWhy most brokers don’t offer real solutionsThe shocking difference in employee satisfactionSimple strategies that any employer can adoptWhat the future of healthcare SHOULD look like💬 “I thought change was impossible…until I saw $8 million in savings.”Whether you're an HR leader, policymaker, or just fed up with the status quo, this episode will show you what's possible—and what's next.📌 Subscribe for more conversations that challenge the system and offer real solutions.#BrokenHealthcare #RayKober #JoleePerez #HealthcareReform #DirectPrimaryCare #HealthBenefits #HRLeadership #HealthcareSavings #McAllenTexas #FixHealthcare #DPC #EmployeeBenefits Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when two badass HR rebels crash the Broken Healthcare podcast? A hilarious, brutally honest takedown of burnout, broken systems, and the BS that’s choking workplace sanity.Join host Ray Kober as he welcomes Keri Ohlrich, PhD, and Kelly Guenther, co-authors of “Whatever the Hell You Want”, for an unfiltered convo on:🔥 The real reason HR gets a bad rap (spoiler: it's not just The Office)📉 How broken benefits and health plans sabotage your people and your bottom line🧠 Psychology, purpose & giving the middle finger to outdated expectations💥 What HR and CEOs really need to hear about fixing healthcare—without slashing any tiresWhether you're in HR, leadership, or just hate corporate buzzwords, this episode will have you laughing, thinking, and maybe even plotting your own workplace revolution. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, smash that like, and hit the bell icon so you never miss a chance to un-break healthcare!#BrokenHealthcare #HRLeadership #CultureMatters #BenefitsReform #Healthcare #Leadership #Podcast #PeopleFirst #WhateverTheHellYouWant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this eye-opening episode of Broken Healthcare, host Ray Kober sits down with Shay Forbes, Head of Employer Solutions at Turquoise Health, to expose the shocking truth about healthcare pricing.💥 Shay shares how the same MRI can cost $4,000 at a hospital—or just $450 across the street. Together, they dig into the hidden world of machine-readable files, price transparency laws, and how employers can take control of skyrocketing healthcare costs.👉 You’ll learn:- What the Hospital Price Transparency Act means for you- How “machine-readable files” are changing the game- Why your surgeon might be in-network—but the facility isn’t- What employers can do to cut costs and improve care- How Shay’s personal $27,000 medical bill inspired his mission💡 Whether you're an HR leader, CFO, healthcare professional, or simply fed up with outrageous medical bills—this episode will give you tools, insight, and hope.📍 Learn more at: https://turquoise.health📘 Recommended read: Never Pay the First Bill by Marshall Allen📲 Follow Shay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shay-forbes-a3579ba4/🎧 Subscribe now and help us fix America's broken healthcare system—one episode at a time.#BrokenHealthcare #HealthcareTransparency #TurquoiseHealth #ShayForbes #MedicalCosts #PriceTransparency #HealthPlans #RayKober Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode of Broken Healthcare, host Ray Kober sits down with healthcare transformation leader Keith Pinter, CEO of AristaMD, to expose the truth about America's healthcare crisis — and reveal the revolutionary solutions that are already changing the game.From jaw-dropping stories of medical inefficiency and outrageously long wait times to innovative tech that empowers primary care doctors and slashes unnecessary specialist visits, this conversation pulls no punches. 🚑Keith shares hard truths, personal stories, and real-world examples of how AristaMD is eliminating waste, improving outcomes, and restoring trust in a system that's been failing millions.📉 Why are we paying $40,000 a year for insurance and still waiting 3 months to see a doctor?📈 How can technology and smart care coordination actually save lives — and billions?💡 What does the future of healthcare really look like?🔔 Subscribe and join the movement to fix what’s broken. Healthcare shouldn’t be this hard.#BrokenHealthcare #KeithPinter #HealthcareReform #PrimaryCare #RayKober #AristaMD #Telehealth #ValueBasedCare Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerhouse episode of Broken Healthcare, host Ray Kober sits down with Dr. Mary O’Connor — a former Olympic-level rower, nationally recognized orthopedic surgeon, and trailblazer for healthcare equity. From her protest days at Yale that reshaped Title IX enforcement to leading at Mayo Clinic and reforming care delivery at Vori Health, Dr. O'Connor's journey is anything but ordinary.We dive deep into:The emotional toll of missing the 1980 OlympicsHer historic Title IX protest that made national headlinesThe realities of being a female pioneer in orthopedic surgeryWhy our healthcare payment system is fundamentally brokenHow equity, diversity, and team dynamics can transform outcomesThe truth behind hospital incentives and why the system fails patientsHow personal values shaped her mission in fixing American healthcareThis is not just a conversation about healthcare — it's a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and reimagining what’s possible.🎧 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you care about building a better healthcare system.👉 Learn more about our mission: https://benefixa.com#BrokenHealthcare #MaryOConnor #HealthcareReform #OrthopedicSurgery #TitleIX #WomenInMedicine #VoriHealth #OlympianDoctor #RayKober #DiversityInHealthcare Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

📣 In this explosive episode of Broken Healthcare, host Ray Kober sits down with bestselling author and marketing strategist Steve Napolitan — a man who built a thriving business with clients like Apple and Intel… then walked away from the grind after life hit hard.💥 After being diagnosed with Guillain–Barré Syndrome (GBS) — a rare neurological disorder that left him temporarily paralyzed — Steve was forced to confront the high cost of the hustle. His body shut down, but his mind woke up.This is the story of how one of the sharpest business minds in the game reclaimed his health, time, and purpose — and how you can too.🔥 We dive deep into:Steve’s GBS diagnosis and recovery — and what it taught him about health, stress, and slowing downWhy more hours ≠ more success — and how working less can actually make you wealthierThe broken mindset driving burnout in American cultureWhat Europe gets right about living wellThe insane (true) story of a staged NASCAR heist that launched a multimillion-dollar brandWhy most people chase money blindly — and the ONE question you need to ask instead⚠️ Whether you're a healthcare pro, entrepreneur, or high achiever ready to rewrite your path — this episode is your wake-up call.🎧 Watch now, then ask yourself: What will having “more” really do for you?🔔 Subscribe and tap the bell — let’s rebuild life, work, and wellness from the inside out.#SteveNapolitan #GuillainBarreSyndrome #WorkLifeBalance #BurnoutRecovery #BrokenInHealthcare #RayKober #MoreBusinessMoreLife #Entrepreneurship #Wellness #Productivity #Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you provide quality healthcare to thousands of employees—many of them hourly, spread across multiple states—with costs rising and transparency shrinking?In this eye-opening episode of Broken Healthcare, host Ray Kober sits down with seasoned HR leader Amanda White, who pulls back the curtain on what it's really like to manage benefits for a workforce where affordability isn’t a perk—it’s survival.🎧 What you'll hear:The impossible decisions HR must make between cost and care.The truth about GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic—and why they’re exploding your plan.How "free" benefits like amusement park discounts matter more than you think.The quiet war between HR, brokers, and big insurance—and who really wins.Why avoiding high-deductible plans might be the smartest move you've never made.This isn’t theory. This is real-world leadership in a broken system.🔔 Subscribe for honest, practical conversations that expose the cracks in U.S. healthcare—and spotlight the people fighting to fix it.👉 Share this episode with your HR and benefits team. It might save your company—and your people.#BrokenHealthcare #HRLeadership #HealthcareReform #AmandaWhite #GLP1 #EmployerHealthcare #BenefitsStrategy #HealthcarePodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Broken Healthcare, host Ray Kober sits down with Mike Stancil, a reform-minded healthcare executive and former CEO of the Pittsburgh Business Group on Health. Now at the forefront of ethical PBM transformation with AffirmedRx, Mike unpacks the dysfunction of the U.S. pharmacy benefit system — from opaque rebate schemes to profit-driven care decisions — and lays out a bold new model that puts people before profit. 💊 What does a Public Benefit Corporation PBM look like? 💥 Why are legacy PBMs compared to car salesmen with rigged pricing? 💡 How can employers and patients escape the grip of the Big Three PBMs?If you're an employer, a healthcare insider, or just sick of rising drug costs, this conversation is your blueprint for change.👉 Subscribe for more real talk from the front lines of healthcare reform.#BrokenHealthcare #PBMReform #PharmacyCosts #AffirmedRx #HealthcareTransparency #PatientsOverProfit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Broken Healthcare, host Ray Kober sits down with Carey and Batya from The Big Plan to unpack one of the most disruptive ideas in employee healthcare benefits today — ICHRAs (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements).✅ What is an ICHRA and why should employers care?✅ Can it actually lower costs and offer better employee coverage?✅ Why more brokers and businesses are waking up to this game-changing strategy✅ And how a tech-powered platform (with a squirrel mascot!) is flipping traditional group benefits on its headFrom insurance flukes to Medicare reimbursements, this is a fun, smart, and brutally honest look at the future of healthcare benefits in America. Whether you're a business leader, HR professional, or just curious about why your premiums keep climbing, this is one conversation you can't afford to miss.👂 LISTEN NOW and learn how to give your employees more choice, your company more control, and your healthcare plan a much-needed overhaul.📌 Learn more: https://thebigplan.com📌 Connect with Ray: https://benefixa.com#BrokenHealthcare #ICHRA #HealthcareReform #TheBigPlan #RayKober #EmployeeBenefits #HealthcarePodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From a small town in South Carolina to leading healthcare efforts in Abu Dhabi, Zack Cooper’s journey is anything but ordinary.In this powerful episode of Broken Healthcare, host Ray Kober sits down with Zack — a nurse, global health advocate, and executive director of an addiction treatment organization — to explore the deeper issues behind America’s broken healthcare system.🎙️ What you'll learn:Why the U.S. system is failing both patients and providersHow international healthcare models highlight what we’re getting wrongThe human side of addiction — and how treatment should really workWhat meaningful, compassionate innovation in healthcare actually looks likeWhether you're a healthcare professional, policymaker, or just tired of high costs and low value, this conversation will shift your perspective.📺 Watch now and join the movement to reimagine American healthcare for the better.👉 Subscribe for more bold, unfiltered conversations.📌 Learn more about the show: https://www.brokenhealthcarepodcast.com#BrokenHealthcare #ZackCooper #HealthcareReform #AddictionTreatment #HealthEquity #GlobalHealth #NursingLeadership #Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this explosive episode of Broken Healthcare, host Ray Kober sits down with Dae Lee—a PharmD, attorney, and certified pharmacy benefit specialist—who is on the front lines of one of healthcare’s biggest battles: taking on the 3 powerful PBMs (Pharmacy Benefit Managers) that control 80% of U.S. prescription drug claims.💣 What you'll learn:- How PBMs manipulate drug pricing and hurt patients- Why employers are at legal risk under the Consolidated Appropriations Act- How Dae Lee helps pharmacies and plan sponsors fight back in court- Real-world lawsuits against giants like CVS Caremark, OptumRx, and Express Scripts- What every employer must do now to avoid being sued by their own employeesIf you're a business leader, healthcare professional, or just sick of overpaying for prescriptions—you can’t afford to miss this.👉 Subscribe for more eye-opening interviews exposing the rot in America’s healthcare system.#PBM #PharmacyBenefitManagers #DaeLee #BrokenHealthcare #HealthcareLawsuits #BigPharma #PharmaCorruption Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when the system meant to protect your health becomes the very thing that threatens it? In this explosive episode of Broken Healthcare, host Ray Kober sits down with Dan LaBroad—activist and outspoken advocate for medical freedom.Dan shares his firsthand experience battling a healthcare system plagued by bureaucracy, political interference, and corporate greed. From confronting insurance nightmares to standing up against government mandates, Dan’s journey is a powerful call to action for anyone who’s ever felt powerless in the face of “healthcare.”👉 We cover:The truth about medical mandates and patient rightsHow insurance companies and big pharma profit off your painWhy real healthcare reform must start at the grassrootsStories that will shock you—and inspire you📣 Whether you’re a patient, a provider, or just someone who cares about bodily autonomy, you won’t want to miss this.🔔 Subscribe for more raw, honest conversations on the fight to fix our broken system. 🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform. #BrokenHealthcare #DanLaBroad #MedicalFreedom #HealthcareReform #PatientRights #BigPharmaExposed #BodilyAutonomy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this explosive episode of Broken Healthcare, host Ray Kober sits down with Joe Shields, Executive Director of Transparency-Rx, to reveal the truth about pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)—and why most employers are unknowingly bleeding money in a rigged system.From hidden fees and offshore rebate schemes to broken fiduciary responsibilities and regulatory wake-up calls, this conversation pulls back the curtain on how the “healthcare” system works against the very people it's supposed to serve.🎯 Topics include:The PBM rebate racket: who’s getting rich and who’s paying the priceHow “fully insured” and “self-funded” really play out in practiceWhy most brokers and carriers are protecting their own profitsThe growing legal risks for employers under the CAAWhat Transparency-Rx is doing to help fix this broken system📢 If you’re a CEO, CFO, or HR leader spending 7+ figures on employee healthcare, this episode could save your company—and protect your people.🎧 Watch now and take control. 🔗 Full docuseries at Benefixa.com#BrokenHealthcare #PBMTransparency #HealthInsuranceReform #EmployerBenefits #FiduciaryDuty #HealthcareScam #CostContainment #JoeShields #RayKober #TransparencyRx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode of the Broken Healthcare podcast, host Ray Kober sits down with Robert Baird, President of the National Cancer Treatment Alliance (NCTA), to uncover the hidden truths about cancer care in America. Discover how self-funded employers are unknowingly overspending by millions—and what you can do to take back control.We cover:The shocking cost disparities in cancer treatmentHow to spot and fix hidden waste, abuse, and markup in your healthcare planWhy independent oncology practices offer better care at a lower costThe future of precision medicine and gene therapiesActionable strategies for employers to fulfill their fiduciary duty under the CAAIf you're a CEO, CFO, HR leader, or Benefits Consultant—this is the episode you can’t afford to miss.🎧 Brought to you by Benefixa – Empowering smarter healthcare.👉 Subscribe for more unfiltered healthcare truth and transformation.Get in touch with Robert here: National Cancer Treatment Alliance (NCTA)#cancercare #healthcarecosts #employeebenefits #NCTA #brokenhealthcarepodcast #oncology #fiduciaryresponsibility #selfinsured #raykober #robertbaird #brokenhealthcare Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when an HR leader says “enough” to the broken U.S. healthcare system? Stephanie Koch, VP of HR at Hendry Marine Industries, shares her extraordinary journey from corporate gatekeeper to pioneering healthcare reformer.In this compelling episode of Broken Healthcare, host Ray Kober dives deep with Stephanie to uncover how she saved lives, slashed costs, and transformed employee benefits—without sacrificing care. From navigating reference-based pricing to launching an on-site clinic that detected stage 4 cancer in time to save a life, this is a masterclass in courageous, data-driven leadership.👉 Whether you're in HR, a business leader, or just fed up with sky-high premiums, this episode is for you.🎧 Topics Covered:HR’s role in driving healthcare changeWhat reference-based pricing really looks likeHow to build trust with employees through benefitsSaving money and lives with strategic care modelsCreating a $0 cost healthcare path that works🔗 Subscribe for more real talk with industry innovators.#BrokenHealthcare #HRLeadership #EmployeeBenefits #HealthcareReform #StephanieKoch #ReferenceBasedPricing #CostSavingStrategies #WorkplaceWellness #HendryMarine #OnSiteClinic #HumanResources Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.