Take Charge with HELPcare

Why do we wait until people are “sick enough” before helping them get healthy?In this episode of the Take Charge with HELPcare Podcast, Lee Aase and Dan Hinmon welcome Sara Persinger, DNP, one of HELPcare’s newest nurse practitioners. Sara shares her journey from growing up on a Wisconsin dairy farm to working at Mayo Clinic and ultimately finding her calling in relationship-based primary care.They talk about the difference between managing disease and pursuing optimal health, why the traditional system often misses early warning signs, and how the HELPcare model allows practitioners to spend the time needed to truly understand and help patients.Sara also shares a powerful story about how slowing down in a patient visit created space for a conversation that turned out to be far more important than the reason the patient came in.If you’ve ever felt rushed through a healthcare visit or wondered why prevention often comes too late, this conversation will give you a new perspective.It’s time to Take Charge of your health.

What does it look like when a nurse practitioner with surgical experience, wound care expertise, and a deeply personal understanding of caregiving joins HELPcare?In this episode of Take Charge with HELPcare, Lee Aase and Dan Hinmon welcome Karen Popp, CNP, to the team — and to the podcast.Karen shares her journey from growing up on a Minnesota farm to working in orthopedic surgery, nursing homes, wound care, and solo primary care. She opens up about caring for her parents through Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s — and how that experience shaped her empathy, decision-making, and passion for adult and geriatric care.We also talk about:Why she was drawn to the Direct Primary Care modelWhat surprised her most about HELPcare’s comprehensive lab panelsThe freedom of practicing medicine without insurance constraintsWhy 60-minute visits change the patient experienceThe power of collaboration among cliniciansIn the old system, care is rushed, testing is limited, and insurance drives decisions.In our model, membership means:More time.More thorough testing.Predictable costs.Real relationships.No surprise bills.Most of the care you need — covered.If you’ve ever felt like your care was fragmented or rushed, this episode will show you there’s another way.It’s time to Take Charge.

What if your doctor could catch health problems while your body is still whispering instead of waiting until it’s shouting?In this episode of Take Charge with HELPcare, founder Lee Aase and co‑host Dan Hinmon introduce Dr. Dawn Jacobson, the newest physician joining HELPcare Clinic Rochester on January 6.Dr. Jacobson is board certified in preventive medicine and integrative and functional medicine. She blends advanced lab testing, lifestyle medicine, and a body–mind–spirit perspective to help patients prevent and even reverse chronic disease before it fully takes hold.You’ll hear Dr. Jacobson explain:What integrative and functional medicine actually are, in plain language How she uses expanded lab panels (often 70+ markers) to see what’s happening at the cellular levelWhat she calls the body’s “whispers” – subtle symptoms many people are told to ignore – and how she investigates them The four types of data she uses to guide care: labs, your daily habits, how you feel, and current medical evidence Why gut health, toxins, infections, hormones and lifestyle can all drive issues like fatigue, skin problems, joint pain, mood changes and more Her training in the Bredesen Protocol for dementia and Alzheimer’s prevention, and practical steps to start protecting your brain now How HELPcare Clinic’s direct primary care membership model gives her the time and flexibility to do deep preventive, root‑cause workDr. Jacobson will provide specialty integrative and functional medicine visits at HELPcare Clinic Rochester, building on the extensive lab testing already included in HELPcare Premier membership.If you’ve ever been told “your labs are normal” but you still don’t feel well, or you’re worried about long‑term brain health and dementia risk, this conversation will give you a hopeful, science‑based path to start taking charge.Learn more about HELPcare Clinic or explore membership at HELPcare.health.

Open enrollment is more complicated—and more important—than ever. In this episode of Take Charge with HELPcare, Lee Aase sits down with licensed insurance expert Kelly Connaughty of HealthMarkets to break down the seismic shifts happening in Medicare Advantage, MnSure exchange plans, and the individual insurance market.Kelly has great experience guiding individuals and families through the enrollment process, including many HELPcare Clinic members, and he brings a clear, practical perspective to issues affecting Minnesotans this year.In this episode, you'll learn:Why major Medicare Advantage plans are disappearing across SE MinnesotaHow Mayo Clinic’s network changes affect your coverage optionsWhat rising premiums and the 2026 subsidy “cliff” mean for familiesHow recent HSA enhancements open new opportunities to saveWhy Bronze plans now pair better than ever with Direct Primary CareReal-life examples of families saving thousands by switching smartWhy working with a MnSure assister costs nothing—and can save you a lotWhether you're reviewing your current plan, exploring HELPcare Clinic membership, or just trying to understand your choices, this episode gives you the tools to navigate open enrollment with confidence.Hosted by:Lee Aase, HELPcare FounderDan HinmonGuest:Kelly Connaughty, Licensed Insurance Agent, HealthMarkets

🎉 Big news for Albert Lea!In this special episode of Take Charge with HELPcare, host Lee Aase joins co-host Dan Hinmon to share an exciting announcement: HELPcare Clinic is expanding to Albert Lea, Minnesota, with a brand-new clinic opening in early 2026!Lee tells the inside story of how everything came together — from discovering the perfect location in Skyline Plaza (the former VA outpatient clinic space) to connecting with two talented nurse practitioners who will be joining the HELPcare team.You’ll also hear why this expansion means so much to the community. After years of frustration with limited local healthcare options — including the closures of Mayo Express Care and MercyOne — HELPcare is stepping in to provide something truly different: affordable, unhurried, relationship-based primary care that helps members take charge of their own health.Lee and Dan also preview the upcoming HELPcare Community Kickoff event on Wednesday, November 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club in Albert Lea. The free event will feature:A documentary screening of It’s Not Personal, It’s Just HealthcareIntroductions to HELPcare’s new practitionersReal stories from current HELPcare membersDetails on a special early-bird membership offer💚 HELPcare Clinic’s direct primary care model is all about putting people first. Members enjoy unlimited primary care for a flat monthly fee, longer visits, and lab testing included — all without insurance hassles or surprise bills.Whether you’re in Albert Lea, Austin, or anywhere looking for a better healthcare experience, this episode explains how HELPcare is helping members truly take charge of their health.🎟️ Reserve your free ticket for the community kickoff at helpcare.health📍 Learn more about HELPcare Clinic – Albert LeaEpisode highlights:Why HELPcare Clinic is expanding to Albert LeaHow direct primary care empowers patientsWhat makes HELPcare’s membership model uniqueDetails on the community kickoff eventReal stories from members who’ve experienced the HELPcare differenceKeywords: HELPcare Clinic, Albert Lea healthcare, direct primary care, Lee Aase, Take Charge podcast, healthcare innovation, Minnesota primary care, affordable healthcare

In Part 1, we uncovered how America’s healthcare system became what Chris Deacon calls a “coordinated heist.” Now, in Part 2, we focus on the solutions—and how employers, unions, and individuals can take charge of healthcare and make it work for real people again.Chris, author of The Great American Healthcare Heist and former director of one of the largest public-sector health plans in the U.S., shares practical, hopeful steps toward reform. We explore how restoring trust, rebuilding relationships, and removing middlemen can transform both patient and provider experiences.👉 In this episode, we discuss:How direct primary care (DPC) brings patients and doctors closer togetherWhy investing in primary care is the smartest move employers can makeHow high-deductible health plans and misaligned incentives discourage careThe new role of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) in funding DPC membershipsWhat 501R hospital charity programs can do to protect patients from medical debtHow reform benefits not just patients—but also doctors—by restoring joy and purpose in medicineAt HELPcare Clinic, we believe in making healthcare personal, transparent, and affordable again. This episode with Chris Deacon will inspire you to see that change isn’t just possible—it’s already happening.💬 “Anything that moves the patient and provider closer together is the right direction,” Chris says—and that’s exactly what we’re working toward.🎧 Listen now and learn how we can all help fix what’s broken.Southern Minnesota Employers: Request your FREE copy of Chris Deacon's book.📘 Learn more about Chris’s book The Great American Healthcare Heist🌐 Explore HELPcare Clinic’s direct primary care model.#TakeChargeWithHELPcare #ChrisDeacon #HealthcareReform #DirectPrimaryCare #EmployerHealthcare #HealthRosetta #HELPcareClinic #PrimaryCareInnovation #RestoringTheSoulOfHealthcare

Why does American healthcare cost so much—and deliver so little?In this eye-opening episode of Take Charge with HELPcare, we talk with Chris Deacon, author of The Great American Healthcare Heist and featured voice in the documentary It’s Not Personal, It’s Just Healthcare. Chris has spent years inside the system—first as a lawyer, then as the director of one of the largest public-sector health plans in the country, covering more than 820,000 New Jersey employees and retirees.From that insider perspective, she shares why she calls our healthcare system a “coordinated heist.” Hospitals, insurers, and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) all play their parts in keeping costs high and transparency low—while the rest of us foot the bill.👉 In this conversation, we cover:How Chris’s journey from public service to advocacy revealed the system’s deep flawsWhy she describes American healthcare as a “heist” — and who’s really profitingThe misaligned incentives that reward growth and sickness over health and preventionThe role of hospitals, insurers, and PBMs in driving up costsHow “vertical integration” lets giant corporations profit from every part of your careChris brings candor, courage, and clarity to a topic that affects every American household. Her book, The Great American Healthcare Heist, breaks down a complex system into simple truths—and our conversation does the same.🎙️ Tune in to understand why we’re paying more, getting less, and what it will take to change it.📘 Learn more about Chris Deacon’s book: The Great American Healthcare Heist🌐 Explore HELPcare Clinic’s direct primary care model: 🔔 Subscribe to Take Charge with HELPcare for the next episode, where we explore real solutions for taking charge of your healthcare.

For more than two decades, Christy Haag lived with the exhaustion, brain fog, and frustration of Hashimoto’s disease. Despite countless doctor visits, she was told her labs looked “normal.” But she didn’t feel normal—and she was ready for a change.In this episode of Take Charge with HELPcare, Christy shares her powerful journey of transformation:How personalized care at HELPcare Clinic helped her finally understand her thyroid and trust her body againThe one-on-one coaching that guided her through real-life challenges—even a cruise buffet lineThe lifestyle changes that led to a 38-pound weight loss, renewed energy, and a calmer spiritHow her husband joined her journey and lost 45 pounds tooChristy’s story is a reminder that you don’t have to settle for “normal.” With the right support, you can take charge of your health—and your future.👉 Learn more about HELPcare Clinic at HELPcare.health

What if your company could dramatically reduce healthcare costs while improving quality of care? In this episode of Take Charge with HELPcare, guest Matt Ohrt shares how employers can stop overpaying for overpriced procedures, embrace direct primary care as the heartbeat of smarter health plans, and give employees better access to the care they deserve.Matt joins hosts Lee Aase and Dan Hinmon to break down practical strategies that HR leaders and business owners can use to manage claims, avoid runaway premiums, and put people—not insurance companies—back at the center of healthcare. From real-world cost comparisons to the power of local, community-based solutions, this conversation reveals how cutting costs doesn’t mean cutting care.

When rising healthcare costs threatened Merrill Steel, HR leader Matt Ohrt pioneered a direct primary care clinic that saved millions and improved employee health. Now as Executive Director of the Free Market Medical Association and co-founder of new health plans, Matt shares how direct primary care (DPC) and direct specialty care (DSC) are transforming healthcare for employers, patients, and communities.

In this episode of Take Charge with HELPcare, hosts Lee Aase and Dan Hinmon talk with Dr. Steve Borene, an anesthesiologist and co-founder of Renovo Health, about how direct specialty care is challenging the traditional healthcare system—and winning.Dr. Borene shares real stories of patients avoiding care due to high costs, and how transparent, bundled pricing through direct specialty care is helping people get the treatment they need without fear of surprise bills. From $17,000 colonoscopies reduced to under $3,000 to companies saving thousands per employee, this episode reveals how simple shifts in the delivery model can drive massive improvements in access, affordability, and outcomes.Whether you're a patient, employer, or healthcare provider, you’ll learn how direct care restores relationships, reduces costs, and puts the focus back where it belongs—on people, not paperwork.🎧 Subscribe for more insights into direct primary and specialty care.#DirectCare #HealthcareReform #TakeChargePodcast #SteveBorene #RenovoHealth #TransparentPricing #MedicalInnovation #PatientCenteredCare

In this episode of Take Charge with HELPcare, we welcome our newest nurse practitioner, Kristen Ehmke, to the team! Hosted by Lee Aase and Dan Hinmon, this conversation explores Kristen’s 12-year journey in nursing, her passion for serving rural communities, and why HELPcare’s relationship-based approach to care felt like the perfect fit.Kristen shares what inspired her to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice, how mindfulness plays a role in both patient care and provider wellbeing, and what she hopes to accomplish as she begins seeing patients in our Austin clinic. You'll also hear about her interest in dermatology, her commitment to long-term patient relationships, and the future she envisions within the HELPcare model.If you’re curious about what makes HELPcare different—or just want to hear from a compassionate provider who truly cares—this episode is a must-listen.📍 HELPcare Clinic | Austin & Rochester, MN🩺 Relationship-Based Primary Care | Time-Rich Appointments | Member-Focused Healthcare

In this episode of Take Charge with HELPcare, host Lee Aase is joined once again by healthcare policy expert John Kelly for an in-depth look at how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is reshaping healthcare options for employers—especially those in high-cost regions like southern Minnesota.John breaks down what the new law means for benefit plan design, including:Why Direct Primary Care (DPC) is no longer considered insurance—and why that mattersHow employers can now pair DPC with traditional insurance or offer it as a standalone benefitUpcoming changes in 2026 allowing HSA funds to cover DPC subscriptionsThe increasing viability of self-funded and level-funded plans for small businessesHow employers can support low-wage workers through complex Medicaid renewal processesA look at Medicare Advantage MSA Group Waiver Plans, and how they can include DPC coverage for Medicare-eligible employees or dependentsIf you're a business owner, HR professional, or benefits advisor, this episode offers valuable insights into building smarter, more affordable, and employee-friendly healthcare plans under the new legislation.🎧 Listen now to take charge of your healthcare strategy.Learn more at helpcare.health

Health policy expert John Kelly joins us to discuss an important change contained in the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which makes direct primary care memberships such as at HELPcare Clinic an eligible expense for people with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).

Healthcare has become too rushed, too impersonal, and too controlled by outside forces. In this episode, we explore how HELPcare is restoring the soul of medicine through relationship-based care, practitioner ownership, and a model built on values that truly matter.

In this episode of Take Charge with HELP Care, Lee Aase and Dan Hinmon engage with Rick and Sally Kennedy, exploring their journey from graphic design to creating a mission-driven agency. They discuss the importance of branding in healthcare, emphasizing that effective branding goes beyond visuals to include company culture and values. The conversation highlights the role of user experience in website design and the significance of collaboration in achieving shared goals. The episode also touches on the impact of COVID-19 on their business purpose and the empowering nature of the direct primary care model.

In this conversation, Lee Aase and Colton Storla discuss the challenges and opportunities in employer health plans, focusing on cost containment strategies, the role of pharmacy benefit managers, and the benefits of direct primary care. They explore how modernized health plans can align incentives for employers and employees, ultimately leading to reduced healthcare costs and improved access to care.

In this episode of Take Charge with HELPcare, hosts Lee Aase and Dan Hinmon delve into the transformative practice of fasting. They explore Lee's personal journey with fasting, its health benefits, and practical advice for incorporating fasting into daily life. The conversation covers various fasting methods, including intermittent and extended fasting, and discusses the science behind how fasting affects insulin levels, weight loss, and overall health. Listeners are encouraged to consult healthcare providers before starting fasting and to utilize available resources for support.

Everybody agrees health care in the U.S. is way too expensive. Our guest this week on Take Charge with HELPcarehas devoted himself to learning the reasons why, and to developing health plans for employers that enable them to provide better benefits for employees while keeping costs under control.Colton Storla from North Risk Partners has been a trusted partner for us in developing employer health plans that have HELPcare Clinic membership as the foundation, which we call Health Insurance with HELPcare.

In this episode of Take Charge with HELPcare, Margo White shares her inspiring journey from military service to becoming the clinic director at HELPcare Clinic. She discusses her diverse nursing background, the challenges she faced, and her passion for patient care. Margo emphasizes the importance of sincerity in healthcare and the supportive environment at HELPcare Clinic, which fosters teamwork and patient-centered care. She also offers advice for those interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, highlighting the fulfillment that comes from working in a compassionate and dedicated team.

Two of HELPcare Founder Lee Aase's children, Rachel Borg and Joe Aase, play crucial roles in on the Leadership Team for HELPcare LLC, the management services provider for HELPcare Clinic. In this episode they discuss the HELPcare family roots that have borne fruit in a more personal, affordable model of health care.

Nurse Practitioner Danae Boorsma describes her health care journey that led to a literal journey for herself and her family, leaving her traditional insurance-based practice in southern California to move to southern Minnesota to join HELPcare Clinic.We're growing and planning expansion, so we're looking for more practitioners who resonate with this approach to primary care and share our GOT LIFE values. If that's you, we'd love to start a conversation with you as we did with Danae last year about being part of the HELPcare Clinic team. Check out our HELPcare Careers page.If this type of care is what you've been looking for as a patient, see how our membership approach can work for you.If you're an employer looking for better care for your employees while keeping health plan costs under control, learn more about Health Insurance with HELPcare.

In this episode, Physician Assistant Elizabeth Hedlund shares her journey from traditional family medicine to joining HELPcare Clinic. She discusses the challenges faced in the conventional healthcare system, emphasizing the importance of time and personal connection in patient care. Elizabeth highlights the benefits of the HELPcare model, which allows for longer appointments and fewer insurance hassles, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes. She encourages other practitioners feeling frustrated in their roles to explore alternative healthcare models that prioritize patient relationships and holistic care.

In this episode of Take Charge with Help Care, HELPcare Founder Lee Aase and co-host Dan Hinmon interview Stephanie Kimmes, a nurse practitioner with a diverse background in pediatrics and family medicine. Stephanie shares her journey from nursing school to her current role at HELPcare, highlighting her passion for direct primary care and the freedom it provides to practice medicine in a way that prioritizes patient relationships and compassionate care. She discusses the integration of her faith into her practice and the importance of listening to patients' stories. The conversation concludes with advice for aspiring practitioners interested in the direct primary care model.

Coach Jane Connell joins us again along with HELPcare Challenge Coordinator Rachel Borg, to discuss how this 13-week program helps participants truly take charge of their health.Jane and Rachel explain how the program works, providing both personalized coaching and group support, with educational sessions and practical assignments designed to help participants achieve results that go beyond the numbers on the scale.And while participants do lose weight (over 10 lbs. of fat on average during the 13-week challenge), that's not the main point.You don't lose weight to get healthy: you get healthier and then losing weight is a welcome side effect.

In this episode of Take Charge with HELPcare, Mower County Human Resources Director Kris Kohn joins HELPcare Founder Lee Aase and co-host Dan Hinmon to discuss how the new Mower County Health Program is saving money for both employees and taxpayers while increasing options for employees and their families.

In this episode of Take Charge with HELPcare, host Lee Aase, co-host Dan Hinmon, and guest Jane Connell discuss Jane's journey as a dietitian and health coach. They explore her passion for nutrition, her specialization in diabetes and eating disorders, and her transition to HELPcare, where she can provide more personalized coaching. The conversation highlights the importance of lifestyle changes in managing health, particularly in relation to diabetes, and shares success stories from HELPcare's programs.

In this episode of Take Charge with HELPcare, Betsy Morem shares her entrepreneurial journey, her proactive approach to health care with HELPcare, and the implementation of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) in her businesses. Betsy also discusses the importance of being aware of community resources and discusses an upcoming Women's Wellness Workshop aimed at connecting women with local resources and promoting: Financial WellnessHealthcare Wellness, andPersonal Care Wellness.Here's the link to register for the April 5 event at Austin Country Club.Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Betsy Morem03:23 Betsy’s Entrepreneurial Journey06:11 Proactive Healthcare Experience07:10 Understanding EOS and Its Impact12:52 Tracking Metrics for Business Success15:25 Upcoming Women's Wellness Event18:33 Inspiration Behind the Wellness Workshop22:25 Final Thoughts on Health and Community

Dr. Dave Strobel joins Lee Aase and co-host Dan Hinmon to reflect on how HELPcare and HELPcare Clinic came to be, starting with a fateful coffee get-together on Oct. 12, 2019.HELPcare's goal is to help many other primary care physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants to become partners in clinics in which they're owners, not just employees.

Dr. Dave Strobel joins Dan Hinmon and Lee Aase for this third episode of Take Charge with HELPcare. We start by discussing his background and experiences growing up and becoming a family medicine physician in Austin, Minnesota.Dr. Dave describes how he became aware of metabolic syndrome in the late 1990s, and his analogical explanation of how insulin works provides a glimpse into what makes him an excellent physician: deep medical knowledge combined with the heart of a teacher. He seeks to help patients understand their health conditions so they'll be motivated and equipped to take charge of their health.He also diagnoses a major problem with the insurance-based health care system: its strong incentive for shorter office visits is poorly designed to deal with the chronic disease epidemic. Finally, he relates how his experience as an employed physician at a union-owned clinic primed the pump development of HELPcare and HELPcare Clinic.

SummaryIn this episode, Lee Aase and Dan Hinmon discuss the creation and evolution of the Mayo Clinic Social Media Network, sharing insights on the importance of social media in healthcare, and the creation of a collaborative community for healthcare professionals. Lee shares how this experience has been crucial in enabling him to found HELPcare LLC, and lessons from his Mayo Clinic experience that he has applied in this new venture.TakeawaysThe Mayo Clinic Social Media Network was founded to share best practices in healthcare.Blogging served as a foundational tool for learning and sharing knowledge.Conferences provided opportunities for networking and collaboration among healthcare professionals.Social media was initially met with skepticism due to concerns about HIPAA.The network aimed to empower patients with information and resources.Creating a community allowed for shared learning and support among hospitals.International conferences expanded the reach and influence of the network.Patient engagement was a key focus of the social media initiatives.The journey reflects a commitment to improving healthcare through digital communication.

SummaryIn this conversation, Lee Aase shares his journey from a political career to his impactful role at Mayo Clinic, where he pioneered the use of podcasting and social media in healthcare communication. He discusses the importance of innovation, the influence of his faith, and the core values that have guided him through various career transitions, including his current venture in direct primary care.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Take Charge Podcast02:13 Lee Aase's Early Life and Career Path04:17 Transition to Mayo Clinic and Podcasting08:01 Innovating with New Media at Mayo Clinic14:33 Lessons from Politics Applied to Healthcare18:33 The Shift to Help Care Clinic and Core ValuesTakeawaysThe importance of collaboration in healthcare innovation.Lee's early interest in politics shaped his career path.Podcasting emerged as a powerful tool for communication.Social media transformed how healthcare information is shared.Calculated risks can lead to significant opportunities.Resourcefulness is key in entrepreneurial endeavors.Faith plays a central role in Lee's professional journey.Embracing new technology can enhance communication efforts.Adjusting strategies is essential for success.Building momentum is crucial in any new venture.Keywordshealthcare, podcasting, social media, Mayo Clinic, communication, innovation, Lee Aase, Dan Hinmon, health, entrepreneurship