Ron Barshop

Primary Care Cures

Health EN ↓ 226 episodes

Here you’ll enjoy privileged in fact to meet my merry Rolodex of change makers, thought leaders , daring disrupters and quiet innovators. And we spotlight what’s successful on the fringes. Crush bad ideas , baffling complexity unworkable solutions and sclerotic mindset in the mainstream. Give the megaphone to the Physicians, troublemakers, and entrepreneurs shaking up our very very messy system.

Author

Ron Barshop

Episodes

Episode # 201 – Leon Wisniewski Round 2 is On Fire with a New App, Billy, Allowing All of Us to Easily See Local Hospital Pricing on Any Procedure. All You Need is a CPT Code and You’re Off..! 01.09.2023 30:10

In this episode, Ron chats with Leon Wisniewski , Founder of Health Cost Labs & Co-Founder of Billy – a consumer focused healthcare payment tool. Here, Leon discusses how Billy works, how it takes price transparency to a whole new level, how it creates hospital competition that will ultimately bring prices down, and much more! Leon worked at large Blue Cross for over 15 years as an actua...

Episode # 200 – Primary Care Cures Celebrates its 200th Episode with Host Ron Barshop 23.08.2023 27:11

A lot has changed in health care since Ron Barshop started the podcast in 2019. On this 200th episode of Primary Care Cures , Ron reflects on the multitude of conversations he’s had with thought leaders from across the country, the growth of the podcast, the current retail disruptor wars in health care , federal complicity, and who is profiting from the massive headwinds health care h...

Episode # 199 – Dr. Cristin Dickerson Has Served 18,000/yr at Green Imaging with 3,000 Centers where Costs Drop 60% with Equal or Better Quality. This is a Preferred Diagnostic Network Defined — Round 2! 11.08.2023 27:08

In this episode Ron brings Dr. Cristin Dickerson back on the show. Here, she discusses the Green Imaging business model, how they focus on providing fairly priced imaging, her thoughts on what the ideal health plan would be, and more. Dr. Cristin A. Dickerson is the founding partner of Green Imaging . She is a graduate of the University of Texas Medical School at Houston where she was elected to A...

Episode # 198 – Dr. Paula Muto has 5,000 Specialists and 10,000 in Process to join UBERDOC a Consumer to Doctor Marketplace. 02.08.2023 29:30

In this episode Ron chats with Paula Muto , Founder & CEO of UBERDOC . UBERDOC is where direct-pay patients go to find the care they need without the barriers that limit choice, cause delay, and cost more. They are building a fee-for-service model that re-establishes an efficient and direct-connection between doctor and patient. Here she discusses what inspired her to start UBERDOC, why doctor...

Episode # 197 – Donald Trigg is an Author and CEO of apree Health, A Combination of Digital Health Innovator Castlight Health and Advanced Primary Care Leader Vera Whole Health. 21.07.2023 40:44

In this episode Ron chats with Donald Trigg , CEO of apree Health . Here he discusses how apree health is building the first integrated health network that combines data-driven personalization, a coordinated care model, and aligned incentives which aims to unlock value and make life better for those they serve. He also discusses his partnership with JPMorgan Chase, and what he sees in the apree He...

Episode # 196 – Dr. Keith Smith Launched the First Transparent Bundled Price Surgery Center Which has Now Served 100,000 Since 1997 and has Made its Mark Affecting System Pricing and Reducing Costs 20-60% for Employers and Consumers with Quality Metrics U 11.07.2023 39:39

In this episode Ron brings Keith Smith, Medical Director at Surgical Center of Oklahoma back on the show to discuss the importance of transparent pricing in healthcare and how he helped to pioneer that movement. He also discusses how other organizations are copying the Surgery Center of Oklahoma pricing model, how the government is not doing enough to make a positive change in healthcare, the impo...

Episode # 195 – Dr. Mark Potts, as Superintendent of Ashtabula Area School District, Saved $9M Over 3 Years for an Average Annual 30% Savings… 60% is Possible if All Employees Participate. 27.06.2023 35:19

In this episode Ron chats with Dr. Mark Potts , President of Transformational Consulting, LLC. Here, Mark discusses his previous role as the Superintendent of the Ashtabula Area City Schools and how he discovered that that his employees did not have great healthcare benefits despite ever-increasing costs. This discovery led him on a journey to get a much better benefit plan for his staff that impr...

Episode # 194 – Sharon Pearce is a Nationally Active Nursing Thought Leader Among 4M Nurses. 50% Leave the Bedside by Year 2. Here’s the Fix She’s Working On. 09.06.2023 20:53

In this episode Ron chats with Sharon Pearce , Co-Chair of the Commission for Nurse Reimbursement . Here she discusses how nursing compensation has changed since hospitals have cut costs in nursing, how to improve compensation for nursing while improving nursing ratios, how burnout in nursing has gotten worse since COVID-19, her podcast “Beyond the Mask”, the importance of the public supporting nu...

Episode # 193 – Frank Dumont Round 2. Members of Virta Health have Reduced a1c 60% Below Baseline for 5 Years Across Demographics Age and Sex and at Scale. 02.06.2023 30:53

In this episode Dr. Frank Dumont returns to the show. Frank is the Commercial Medical Director at Virta Health . Here, he discusses reversing Type 2 diabetes, how Virta has been able to replicate the success they have seen in their clinical trials, and more. He also shares how Virta has been able to deprescribe diabetes medication, even across multiple demographics, as their patients have changed...

Episode # 192 – Preston Alexander Knows a Thing or Two About Healthcare Innovation. 23.05.2023 25:33

In this episode, Ron has a discussion with Preston Alexander , Founder & President of One Degree Medical. Here, Preston chats about the winners of DPCs and why they aren’t as prevalent as they should be, what’s wrong with monopolized health systems, the problem with non-profit health systems, and much more. Preston Alexander is a healthcare entrepreneur currently serving as an advi...

Episode # 191 – Dr. Brian Fretwell Offers Generics at Pennies a Pill so Who Needs a PBM ? This Offering is Yet Another Example How Employers, Consumers, and DPC Docs can Sidestep the Medication Racket. 03.04.2023 20:05

In this episode, Ron chats with Dr. Brian Fretwell , President and CEO of Direct Primary Care Associates and myDPCrx – a DPC provider driven pharmacy program that sells over 1,000 generic prescriptions for pennies on the dollar. Here, he answers the questions of what led him to start myDPCrx, where his 5 clinics are located, how this is changing the face of pharmacy, and more. Mr. Fretwell ...

Episode # 190 – Dr Kenneth Qiu is Spotting the DPC Trends with a Keen Eye. Here is a Good Listen. 03.02.2023 21:58

In this episode, Ron talks DPCs with Dr. Kenneth Qiu , Founder of EuDoc , & Associate Clinical Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. Here, Kenneth discusses what he sees the outlook for DPCs in the next year, what it is like to be a DPC practitioner himself, his work educating med students on DPCs, and much more. Kenneth Qiu, MD is a board certified family physician...

Episode # 189 – Katy Talento Returns for Round 3 – She’s Managing the Association for 1 Million Health Care Sharing Ministries Members, Advising Employers and Has a Lot to Say About Transparency and DPC. 30.12.2022 24:52

In this episode Katy Talento , Epidemiologist, Executive Director at Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries , & CEO of AllBetter Health rejoins the show for a third time. AllBetter Health is a next-gen health benefits advisory firm that saves employers & other groups money while offering benefits great benefits including zero deductibles. Here, she discusses what healthcare sharing min...

Episode # 188 – Jonathan Spero Leads Asterias Health and InHouse Physicians – DPC Plus with 1 Million Members at 97% NPS and 95% Renewal Rates. Here is the How and Why. 23.12.2022 23:16

In this episode, Ron chats with Jonathan Spero , CEO at InHouse Physicians – the powerhouse behind the disruptive innovation he founded – Asterias Health . Asterias Health is a next-gen virtual & in-person direct primary care model that addresses the physical, behavioral, emotional, and social needs for its patients. Here, they discuss all of the benefits Asterias offers – in...

Episode # 187 – Viral Patel, MD, CEO of Radish Health has a 4.9 Star Rating, 94% NPS Score from Docs and Offers Mental Health, Nav, and a Registered Dietician to their DPC. Here’s How! 06.12.2022 29:53

In this episode, Ron is joined by Viral Patel , Founder and CEO at Radish Health – a highly rated NYC based digital first primary care platform giving employers access to primary care, mental health services, a registered dietician, and a care navigator. Here, Viral discusses the cost per month for employers. He also answers questions around how clinicians, employers, & patients are &#82...

Episode # 186 – Wayne Orchard with Lyric Health is the Largest DPC Provider with 4M Members. Retention of Docs, Members, and Employers are All Impressive. Get Why Here. 02.12.2022 28:06

In this episode, Ron chats with Wayne Orchard , Partner & Executive Vice President at Lyric Health , MyTelemedicine , and GoLexi . Here, they discuss Lyric Health, a fully integrated virtual primary care platform that provides instant access to a “doc in your pocket”. Wayne also discusses how the pandemic helped him and his partner realize that they needed to focus more on day-to-d...

Episode # 185 – Satish Srinivasan with DiRx is Showing Us How to Buy Meds at a Fraction of the Costs. Often at Only $3-4 a fill. 18.11.2022 27:11

In this episode, Ron chats with Satish Srinivasan , Founder & Chief Executive Officer at DiRx , a digital pharmacy platform that provides savings for thousands of FDA-approved generic drugs – with no insurance requirement. Satish went into starting DiRx knowing the real cost of medicine because of his 25+ years in the generic pharmaceutical industry. Here, Satish discusses how DiRx is a...

Episode # 184 – Ann Richardson Is the DocWhisperer. She is Letting the Bigs Know a Frontline Exodus is Hitting Them in 2023. Here’s Why and What to Do. 11.11.2022 36:47

In this episode, Ann M. Richardson , a Healthcare Systems Transformation & Operations Consultant with 25+ years of hospital leadership experience, chats with Ron about her work increasing awareness around the silencing that goes on in medicine. Her patient advocacy work is done by advocating for clinicians suffering from the moral injury that can lead to burnout and ultimately a mass exodus fr...

Episode # 183 – Our First Power Couple, Renee Dua and Nick Desai Founded and Lead Renee – A New Offering for Consumers and Employers for Generic Medication Access at a Cost of $25/mo. Also Built In is a Medical Personal Assistant in Your Pocket for Appoin 04.11.2022 25:47

In this episode, Ron is joined by power couple Dr. Renee Dua & Nick Desai , Co-Founders of Renee , a recently launched digital health assistant and generic medication delivery AI generated platform. With Dr. Dua’s 16 years of experience as a practicing nephrologist combined with Nick being an accomplished and visionary veteran of 5 successful VC rounded startups, they are reminding peopl...

Episode # 182 – Lee Gross MD Back for Another Round. A DPC Pioneer for 20 Years. Advocate at the Highest Levels of State and Federal Government. He Explains Cheaper, Faster, Better Primary Care where Everyone Wins in Hurricane Aftermaths and Pandemics as 28.10.2022 27:40

In this episode, Ron is joined again by thought leader Lee Gross , Co-Founder of Epiphany Health Direct Primary Care , President of Docs 4 Patient Care Foundation , & Chairman of DPC Action . Lee discusses seeing firsthand just how much care delivery can be improved through his transition from a traditional fee-for-service practice to one of the pioneering direct primary care practices. He als...

Episode # 181 – Eric Starkman is Among the Best Investigative Reporters in Healthcare Today. He Shines a Bright Light on the Massive Cracks in Regulation and Delivery of Care in America. 21.10.2022

This episode, Ron is joined by Eric Starkman , an investigative journalist that uses his experience in crisis counseling, public relations, and financial reporting to help bring to light the threatening practices done by the BIGS in healthcare. Here, he answers the questions of how he picks the stories he writes, what obstacles faces in his reporting, why there aren’t many people doing the w...

Episode # 180 – Dutch Rojas Just Sold Two of His Companies and Now is Offering Everyone Health – A Free App to Easily Contract in 300 Metros and 48 States Labs, Imaging, Surgery and Specialists for Cash Pay Customers. About 30-60M of Us. 14.10.2022 41:20

In this episode Dutch Rojas returns to the show for a third time to discuss what he has been up to and how healthcare has changed since the last time he was on the show. Dutch is the Senior Vice President of Network at Nomi Health . Here he does a deep what is missing in the ecosystem of direct contracting, his investing in healthcare cutting edge healthcare companies as a way to improve healthcar...

Episode # 179 – Mike Botta of Sesame Introduces Healthcare Shopping into an Expedia-Like Marketplace. Fair Pricing Meets Care Slots Open and Available. Consumer Navigation Made Easy to Find Independent Docs, Imaging, and More. 07.10.2022 28:45

In this episode Ron chats with Dr. Michael Botta , Co-founder and President at Sesame , a healthcare marketplace that works with patients that are uninsured or priced out of care by connecting them with high quality physicians at the best price. In this conversation, he discusses their target consumer, how they can connect patients with the right physicians offering the best prices, how they are i...

Episode # 178 – Mike Bechtol with Redirect Health is a National Expert in Patient Assistance Programs – A Secret Way to Pay for Much of Your Care – Your Employee’s Too – and Half of Us Qualify? True! Round 2. 30.09.2022 33:26

In this episode Michael Bechtol , Vice President of Membership at Redirect Health , returns to the show. Redirect Health provides employers & individuals with affordable healthcare plans. Here, Michael shares the ways they can provide simple to use & affordable access to healthcare. He also answers the questions of who is eligible, how the consumers win, how they can bring down costs &...

Episode # 177 – Dr. Daniel Paull is an Orthopedic Surgeon. Founder of America’s First Mobile Cash Based Orthopedic Practice… Whaaat? Here’s a Model to be Happier, Make More, and Stay True to Your Calling. Surgeons, PCPs Already Get This. 23.09.2022 27:15

In this episode Ron chats with Dr. Daniel Paull , Orthopedic surgeon, Founder and CEO of Easy Orthopedics . He is bringing the clinic to your house and keeping insurance out of it. He’s disrupting healthcare in a way that values your time and provides transparent cash pricing. Here, he dives into what made him switch gears into cash pay, how much he’s saving by cutting out the middleme...