In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig introduces a new monthly segment, Practice Makes Perfect , featuring Amanda Compton, Client Services Manager at Freedom Healthworks. Amanda brings her on-the-ground insights from managing DPC practices across the country and dives into the crucial role of communication in patient satisfaction and practice success. Plus, learn how patient expectations around accessibility can make or break your DPC practice, and what you can do about...
May 22, 2025•19 min•Ep. 262
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig talks with Dr. Michael Havig about the rise of cash pay healthcare models. They explore the inefficiencies in traditional healthcare payment systems, the importance of price transparency, and how Dr. Havig’s company, HealthMe, is helping facilitate direct pay solutions for patients and providers. The conversation covers the challenges and opportunities of implementing cash pay models, as well as the future of direct pay in medical s...
Mar 31, 2025•42 min•Ep. 261
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig speaks with Julie Baak, practice manager at the Arthritis Center in St. Louis, about the challenges of patient access to infusion therapy and the manipulative practices of insurance companies. Julie shares her experiences managing a large number of infusion patients and the burdens imposed by insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers. She discusses the role of social media in advocating for patients and how independent clini...
Feb 13, 2025•29 min•Ep. 260
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig sits down with Indiana Representative Julie McGuire to explore the crucial role state lawmakers play in shaping healthcare policy. They discuss how everyday citizens can influence healthcare reform, the challenges of hospital pricing transparency, and the accountability of nonprofit hospitals. McGuire highlights the need for greater transparency in healthcare ownership and examines the growing impact of private equity on local medic...
Feb 08, 2025•44 min•Ep. 259
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, Christopher Habig introduces the new season focused on solutions in the American healthcare system, emphasizing the critical role of trust. He discusses the erosion of trust among patients and healthcare providers, the bureaucratic challenges faced, and advocates for direct care models as a viable solution. The episode highlights the need for transparency and patient-centered care, while addressing common myths about healthcare and insurance. More on Free...
Feb 07, 2025•17 min•Ep. 258
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig sits down with Dr. Stephanie Huhn, a Direct Primary Care (DPC) physician, and Sarah Gabriel, a business advisor, to explore the transition from traditional healthcare to DPC. Together, they dive into the challenges and benefits of this innovative model, emphasizing its patient-centered approach and the critical role of community engagement. Dr. Huhn shares her journey of building a family medicine practice focused on personalized ca...
Nov 28, 2024•39 min•Ep. 257
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig is joined by Dr. Anthony DiGiorgio. Together, they explore the 340B Drug Discount Program, a federal initiative meant to help low-income patients access affordable medications. They reveal how the program has shifted over time to prioritize large healthcare institutions, creating unintended consequences like inflated healthcare costs and reduced patient access to discounts. The conversation calls for greater transparency and reforms...
Nov 21, 2024•30 min•Ep. 256
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig is joined by Joe Wilson, Chief Growth Officer at Frontier Direct Care. Together, they discuss the myths surrounding healthcare costs and the potential savings from implementing Direct Primary Care (DPC) in employer benefit programs. They explore the misconceptions held by executives about primary care, the importance of educating decision-makers on insurance, and the tangible savings that can be achieved through DPC. The conversatio...
Nov 14, 2024•41 min•Ep. 255
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, Christopher Habig speaks with Dr. Matt Patterson, President of WelbeHealth, about the pressing issues of loneliness and mental health among seniors. They discuss the inadequacies of the current volume-driven healthcare system in addressing these challenges. Dr. Patterson explains WelbeHealth’s Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) which provides comprehensive care for older adults. He also emphasizes the importance of human interaction in h...
Nov 07, 2024•32 min•Ep. 254
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig is joined by Dr. Juliette Madrigal. Together, they discuss the detrimental impact of insurance companies on the healthcare system, particularly on the doctor-patient relationship. They explore the commoditization of both patients and physicians, the role of hospitals in prioritizing profit over care, and the rise of direct care models as a solution. The conversation emphasizes the importance of trust and transparency in healthcare, ...
Oct 31, 2024•39 min•Ep. 253
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, Christopher Habig speaks with Dr. J. Matthew Andry and Maddie Andry about their journey in the direct care model of healthcare. They discuss the evolution of their practice, the importance of support in making the transition to direct care, and the integration of mental and physical health in patient care. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by physicians in traditional healthcare settings and the value of personalized care in improving patie...
Oct 24, 2024•40 min•Ep. 252
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig speaks with Vanessa Rissetto, CEO and co-founder of Culina Health, about the critical role of nutrition in healthcare. They discuss the importance of medical nutrition therapy, the challenges faced by dietitians, and the need for better nutrition in hospitals. Vanessa emphasizes the impact of proper nutrition on preventing chronic diseases, including obesity and pre-diabetes, and the necessity of educating both healthcare providers ...
Oct 17, 2024•33 min•Ep. 251
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig sits down with Dr. Jude Pierre to explore the unique challenges physicians face today, particularly for young doctors just entering the profession. Dr. Pierre explains why he steers physicians away from corporate healthcare and empowers them to pursue independent practice. The discussion highlights critical topics such as financial literacy, understanding contracts, and the vital role of mentorship in shaping successful careers. The...
Oct 10, 2024•40 min•Ep. 250
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig sits down with Dr. Joshua Hottenstein, founder of Eulistic Health. Dr. Hottenstein discusses his journey into healthcare and his innovative approach to blending traditional primary care with integrative medicine. He reflects on the challenges he faced with the fragmented hospital system and his commitment to offering patients personalized, continuous care. Dr. Hottenstein explains how he discovered the Direct Primary Care (DPC) mode...
Oct 03, 2024•27 min•Ep. 249
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig interviews the VP of PBM Practice at Xevant, Shane Garduno, an expert in pharmacy benefit management (PBM). They discuss the role of PBMs in the healthcare industry and how they influence drug pricing. Shane explains that PBMs act as pharmacy insurance, handling coverage information, copays, deductibles, and prior authorizations. They also work with employers and health plans to control drug costs and implement cost-saving...
Sep 26, 2024•32 min•Ep. 248
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig interviews Jonathan Wolfson, the Chief Legal Officer and Policy Director at The Cicero Institute. They discuss the importance of state-level policy reform in healthcare and the need for innovation. They highlight the challenges of accessing healthcare and the high cost of healthcare, and discuss specific initiatives such as telemedicine and international physician licensing. They emphasize the importance of transparency and competit...
Sep 19, 2024•32 min•Ep. 247
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig interviews David Morgan, president of Senior Home Companions and Story Cottage. Together, they discuss the importance of memory care and the challenges faced by families in caring for loved ones with memory loss. David explains how his company provides personalized and high-quality care through home care services and boutique memory care facilities. He also emphasizes the need for a strong relationship between memory care families a...
Sep 12, 2024•28 min•Ep. 246
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig interviews Laurie Lee Smith, a renowned leadership expert, on the topic of change management leadership. They discuss the challenges of change management in the healthcare setting and the importance of adaptability and human behavior in leading change. They also explore the concept of self-transformation, team transformation, adaptability, and achieving results in the context of change leadership. Laurie provides advice for physicia...
Sep 05, 2024•26 min•Ep. 245
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig welcomes back a familiar and respected guest, Dr. Edward Williams of Foundation Direct Primary Care. As a repeat visitor on the show, Dr. Williams shares his unique perspective on balancing the demands of fatherhood, practicing medicine, and managing a business. Dr. Williams discusses how he integrates his family life into his medical practice, offering insights on why he chose the Direct Primary Care model to gain more contro...
Aug 29, 2024•22 min•Ep. 244
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig, CEO and co-founder of Freedom Healthworks, sits down with Ben Conner, CEO of Conner Insurance, to discuss health plans and the innovative approaches in Indiana. Ben shares insights into his company's role in spearheading health plan innovation, including their recent involvement in producing a documentary that explores the complexities of the healthcare system. Ben discusses the importance of educating business leaders, who are key...
Aug 22, 2024•29 min•Ep. 243
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig, CEO and co-founder of Freedom Healthworks, sits down with Dr. William Steelman, the visionary founder of Steelman Medical Group in Houston, Texas. Dr. Steelman is a trailblazer in the concierge direct primary care model, emphasizing patient-centered care and transparency in primary healthcare delivery. The episode addresses the conceptual blend of concierge and direct primary care (DPC). Dr. Steelman explains how combining these mo...
Aug 15, 2024•38 min•Ep. 242
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig, CEO and co-founder of Freedom Healthworks, discuss the vital role of primary care providers in mental health with guest Dr. Cynthia Horner, Chief Medical Officer of Amwell. Christopher opens the conversation by highlighting the importance of primary care physicians as the gatekeepers of our healthcare system, emphasizing their crucial role in the early detection and treatment of mental health issues. Dr. Horner discusses the broad ...
Aug 08, 2024•31 min•Ep. 241
In this enlightening episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig, CEO and co-founder of Freedom Healthworks, sits down with Dr. Katherine Evans, the president of Novocardia, a division of Cardiovascular Associates of America. As the nation's largest private network of cardiologists, Novocardia is at the forefront of transforming cardiovascular care through innovative practices and a commitment to value-based care. Dr. Evans shares her insights on the shift of independent private prac...
Aug 01, 2024•28 min•Ep. 240
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig, CEO and co-founder of Freedom Healthworks, welcomes Chris Peng, co-founder and CEO of Labfront. Labfront is a cutting-edge research solution for real-world data capture, trusted by prestigious academic institutions such as Stanford, Harvard, and MIT. Chris Peng shares his journey into the healthcare space, as well as his experiences that highlighted the gap between available technology and its utilization in research. Labfront aims...
Jul 25, 2024•32 min•Ep. 239
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig welcomes Dr. Joshua Fischer, a pioneer in merging primary care and health coaching within the direct primary care (DPC) model. Dr. Fischer shares his journey from a traditional healthcare setting to establishing his DPC practice, Dr. Fischer, MD. He discusses the pivotal moment that led him to rethink his approach to patient care, inspired by a transformative family vacation in Spain. Dr. Fischer explains how he blends conventional ...
Jul 18, 2024•29 min•Ep. 238
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig welcomes back Dr. Nicole Ascanio, founder of aspireMD, a thriving direct primary care (DPC) practice in Omaha, Nebraska. This episode discusses the unique challenges and rewards of running a successful medical practice while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Dr. Ascanio, a mother of three, shares her journey from being an employed physician in a hospital-owned practice to launching her own DPC practice in the midst of the COV...
Jul 11, 2024•41 min•Ep. 237
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig, CEO and co-founder of Freedom Healthworks, dives into a crucial topic for the future of healthcare: expanding access to affordable primary care for all, regardless of insurance status. Christopher explores the vital role of accessible primary care in reducing healthcare costs and enhancing economic development, especially in rural communities. He discusses state-level legislative initiatives aimed at returning power to doctors and ...
Jun 27, 2024•27 min•Ep. 236
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, Host Christopher Habig, is joined by Adam Russo, CEO of The Phia Group. Together they discuss the intricacies of building and implementing an employer healthcare plan that genuinely benefits employees. Adam Russo shares his journey and insights, highlighting the importance of caring about the industry, clients, employers, and employees' families. He emphasizes the need for self-funded plans and explains how The Phia Group ensures the best quality care at ...
Jun 20, 2024•37 min•Ep. 235
Join us in this insightful Healthcare Americana episode on the journey of physicians breaking free from the shackles of employment to embrace the Direct Primary Care (DPC) model. Host Christopher Habig sits down with Dr. Michelle Cooke, a trailblazer in the realm of primary care in Atlanta. Dr. Cooke shares her firsthand experiences and wisdom gained from transitioning from an employed physician to a successful DPC practitioner. From the frustrations of the traditional healthcare system to the a...
Jun 13, 2024•45 min•Ep. 234
In this episode of Healthcare Americana, host Christopher Habig, CEO of Freedom Healthworks, sits down with Dave Chase, the visionary founder of Health Rosetta. Together, they explore the groundbreaking work Health Rosetta is doing to transform the healthcare landscape into a system that is transparent, accountable, and value-driven. Dave Chase shares insights from his journey, starting from the release of his influential book, “CEO's Guide to Restoring the American Dream,” to the establishment ...
Jun 06, 2024•36 min•Ep. 233
