Episodes

Frustrated with the health care system? Want to improve health care access, affordability, and transparency for you or a loved one? Learn how to make your voice heard by decision-makers on Capitol Hill by joining us for our 2...

Transportation to and from appointments, or lack thereof, is a major hurdle facing patients who contact our Patients Rising Concierge team. Any delays caused by transportation have a domino effect on a patient’s healthcare jo...

The access and affordability challenges that face patients with Alzheimer’s and diabetes are not uncommon. In fact, they impact all patients within the chronic disease community. Hosts Terry and Dr. Bob explore underlying iss...

One reason behind high costs at the pharmacy counter? Pharmacy benefit managers. PBM practices, like clawbacks and spread pricing, not only hurt patients but also impact community pharmacies that serve rural and underserved p...

$0 deductibles and $1 prescriptions. It sounds almost too good to be true, but companies across the country have made these health plans a reality for their employees. For the past two decades, the cost of insurance premiums ...

Healthcare discussions in Washington are in full swing this week. Both the House and Senate meet to discuss a multitude of bills affecting everyday Americans, specifically those with rare and chronic diseases. Hosts Terry Wil...

Will free vaccines for Medicare patients improve health and lower overall costs? The quick answer, maybe. Doug Badger, former policy advisor to the White House, explains the pros and cons of eliminating cost-sharing for preve...

How can low-income communities afford costly medications? A government program called 340B, which was originally created to help low income patients, now generates significant income for hospitals. Find out what caused this p...

As Rare Disease Month comes to a close, we take a look at a major piece of legislation that impacts the FDA, and consequently, patients with rare diseases. With the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) up for renewal in …

Chronic disease patients often fall victim to high healthcare costs due to supply chain 'middlemen' otherwise known as Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs). David Balat, Executive Director at Free2Care, discusses how elimina...

A bid for universal healthcare falters in California. Meanwhile, the state is posed to take up misleading “Right to Repair” legislation that would allow technicians who are not held to FDA safety standards to operate on medic...

With Congress back in D.C. this week, the hill looks to debate on current legislation. This includes the Build Back Better plan, which has several health policies that would affect patients, particularly those on Medicare. T...

Congress is quiet on health policies this week, but the federal health agencies are making noise. Terry and Dr. Bob cover the controversy over CMS’ proposed coverage decision for a new Alzheimer’s treatment. And learn about t...

If you’ve ever felt like your healthcare providers were dismissive of your knowledge and preferences when it comes to making the decisions about your treatment, then this episode is for you! In this episode, learn about share...

States are like dominos. When one state enacts a health policy, others replicate. Oregon’s Medicaid draft 1115 waiver has several red flags for patient healthcare access, and all patients should watch this carefully. Meghan M...

With COVID-19 cases on the rise, remote care through telehealth is critical to keep patients safe. But it also serves a vital role beyond the pandemic. For chronic disease patients, it can unlock greater access to care regard...

For the chronic disease community, 2022 is set to be a major year of health policy. On this episode, Republican and Democrat political experts weigh in on what’s on the horizon for healthcare policies in the new year. Matt Ro...

A doctor knows their patients’ needs best. But too often, insurance gets in the way. In an effort to lower costs, insurers sometimes force stable patients off of prescribed medication to a cheaper option. It’s called non-medi...

Have you received an unfair medical bill? You’re not alone. Many patients have faced high bills that are simply incorrect, or even predatory. But let’s face it, even understanding complex and confusing bills is a huge challen...

Today’s medical research and development creates the cures of tomorrow. But it requires immense amounts of funding to develop safe and effective drugs, treatments, and medical devices. In the rare disease space, funding is in...

The Senate faces a race to the end of the year with a mountain of healthcare policies on its plate. Taking center stage is the House’s version of the Build Back Better plan. But it’s likely to undergo several changes, …

Half of individuals with health insurance are covered by their employer. If you are in this group, this episode is a must-listen. Learn how benefit design impacts your out-of-pocket expenses, your in-network providers, and th...

Cold and flu season is here. If you are immunocompromised, respiratory infections pose an even greater risk. Antibiotics are a common go-to solution, but there’s a catch: the more we use them, the less effective they become. ...

This Veteran’s Day, hosts Terry and Dr. Bob explore potential federal policies to improve healthcare for U.S. veterans. Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01) serves on the Veterans Affairs Committee and she joins the show to share...