Uninsured by Choice

In this episode of Uninsured by Choice, Dan sits down with former White House health policy advisor Katy Talento to break down what’s really happening behind the scenes in American healthcare, from rising costs to hidden incentives, and to explore bold solutions that could give control back to patients, but the real question is, what if everything you’ve been told about health insurance is backwards?

What if the biggest problem in healthcare isn’t cost… but lack of choice?In this episode of Uninsured by Choice, Dan sits down with Mark Messick, Marketing Director at Common Care, to unpack how employer-sponsored health plans have limited employee choice for decades, and what can be done about it.Mark brings a unique perspective from the employer side, explaining how outdated systems from the post–World War II era still shape today’s healthcare decisions. He breaks down why “one-size-fits-all” plans fail, how newer models like cafeteria plans and ICRAs attempt to fix the problem, and why most people fall into just three healthcare categories.If you’ve ever felt stuck with your health plan, or wondered if there’s a smarter, more flexible way to approach healthcare, this episode will challenge how you think about coverage.

What if your company could go years without a single premium increase and actually improve care for your employees at the same time?In this episode of Uninsured by Choice, Dan sits down with Matt Ohrt, HR veteran, author of Save Your Company, Don’t Feed the Beast, and Executive Director of the Free Market Medical Association, to unpack how employers can break free from the traditional insurance model and take control of their healthcare spend.After leading a five-year transformation at Merrill Steel that saved over $5 million in healthcare costs, Matt shares the mindset shift that changed everything: stop buying insurance blindly, and start shopping for healthcare like any other major business expense. From eliminating premium increases to building trusted partnerships and leveraging direct primary care, he reveals the practical strategies behind the growing free-market healthcare movement.Whether you're an employer, HR leader, or just curious about alternatives to the broken system, this episode offers a powerful look at what’s possible when you stop “feeding the beast” and start demanding value.

In this episode of Uninsured by Choice, Dan sits down with Catherine Okubo, CEO of MPB Health, to discuss a growing alternative to traditional health insurance: medical cost sharing.Catherine explains how health sharing programs work, how they differ from insurance, and why more freelancers, entrepreneurs, and families are choosing this model. They explore the philosophy behind health sharing, the financial differences compared to insurance, and why personal responsibility and community play a major role.They also discuss:• Why open enrollment creates pressure• Who benefits most from health sharing• How freelancers and self-employed workers can save money• The mindset shift required to navigate healthcare without insuranceIf you’ve ever wondered what healthcare looks like outside the traditional insurance system, this episode breaks it down.

What if you could protect yourself from a six figure medical bill without traditional health insurance?In this episode of Uninsured by Choice, Dan sits down with Holly Patino, founder of HealthShare101, to break down the world of medical cost sharing.They unpack how health sharing works, the real differences between major organizations, and what most people miss in the member guidelines. From caps and limitations to waiting periods and pre existing conditions, Holly explains what you need to know before you join.They also discuss faith based and non religious healthshare options, inclusivity, ACA considerations, and how to determine whether a healthshare is actually a good fit for your situation.If you are exploring alternatives to traditional health insurance, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence to make an informed decision.

What if you could see your doctor without insurance, without surprise bills, and without 10-minute rushed visits?In this episode of Uninsured by Choice, Dan sits down with Dr. Justin Voris, board-certified family medicine physician and founder of Core Health Direct Primary Care in Fort Smith, Arkansas.Dr. Voris explains how Direct Primary Care (DPC) is restoring the doctor–patient relationship by removing insurance from routine primary care altogether. Instead of billing codes and gatekeepers, patients pay a simple monthly membership for transparent pricing, longer appointments, and direct access to their physician.You’ll hear:How DPC works and who it’s forWhy traditional insurance often drives up costsA real example of a $500 lab bill reduced to around $60How employers can lower healthcare costs while improving employee accessWhy more physicians are leaving corporate medicine for this modelIf you’ve ever felt rushed, overcharged, or stuck navigating the insurance maze, this conversation will open your eyes to a simpler way forward.Learn more at uninsuredbychoice.com.

Do you really need health insurance to access quality healthcare?In this episode of Uninsured by Choice, host Dan sits down with Eric Baird, healthcare educator, licensed agent, and founder of whatishealthshare.com, to challenge one of the biggest assumptions in American healthcare.Eric breaks down how health share communities work, why so many people believe insurance is mandatory, and what actually happens when families step outside the traditional insurance system. From skyrocketing maternity costs to navigating care without price transparency, this conversation pulls back the curtain on a system that confuses and overwhelms consumers.If you’ve ever questioned rising premiums, felt trapped by employer plans, or wondered whether there’s a better way to pay for healthcare, this episode will change how you think about coverage, cost, and control.Listen now and discover why more people are becoming uninsured by choice.

In this very first episode of Uninsured by Choice, we set the record straight. Host Dan, Director Ashton, and Producer Sissy introduce who they are, why this podcast exists, and, just as importantly, what it is not.Through personal experiences and honest conversation, the team shares what led them to question the traditional healthcare system and why they felt compelled to create a space for open, nuanced discussions around being uninsured by choice. This episode lays the foundation for the conversations ahead, grounded in transparency, curiosity, and lived experience, not fear or misinformation.If you’ve ever felt confused, overwhelmed, or unheard in conversations about healthcare, this podcast might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.