Let Doctors Be Doctors: Why Providers Shouldn't Be Debt Collectors

"If you ask the surgeon how much time they have to spend thinking about the business side of their practice, it's too high... Let's let doctors be doctors." - Ryan Wells

My guest this week is Ryan Wells, Founder and CEO of Health Here. Ryan joins me to explain why the key to fixing the broken doctor-patient relationship is getting providers out of the debt collection business.

We explore how Episodic Care (bundled payments) can finally align the financial incentives of self-funded employers and high-value specialists. Ryan breaks down how his platform automates payments, getting surgeons paid in under 15 days while eliminating patient liability entirely.

We dive deep into Ryan's background in the OR, the lessons learned from the "Metal on Metal" hip recall, and why we need to move from "open enrollment confusion" to real-time, event-driven patient navigation.

If you are tired of administrative waste and want to see a model where doctors focus on care instead of claims, this episode is for you.

Thank you to our 2026 sponsors!

ParetoHealth: ParetoHealth empowers midsize employers with a long-term solution to reduce volatility and lower overall health benefits costs. Visit ParetoHealth.com to learn more.

Samaritan Fund: A program that connects those who need help to the support they need. We are proud to offer the Samaritan Fund Program. Visit SamaritanFundProgram.com to learn more.

Vālenz Health: We're Vālenz Health, your partner in improving health literacy, reducing plan spend, and delivering high-value healthcare. Visit ValenzHealth.com to learn more.

Imagine360: Imagine360 helps self-funded employers save on healthcare with smarter health plans. Cut expenses by 20-30% with custom solutions. Contact us today at Imagine360.com.

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Let Doctors Be Doctors

(00:03:04) Ryan's Journey: From Anthropology to the OR 

(00:07:00) Lessons from Medicare’s Acute Care Episode Demo 

(00:10:46) Defining the "Bundle" vs. Fee-for-Service 

(00:13:00) Value-Based Care = Outcome / Cost 

(00:16:14) Why Orthopedics is the Perfect Starting Point 

(00:18:32) Moving from "Elective" to "Discretionary" Care 

(00:21:38) The Navigation Problem: Open Enrollment Fails 

(00:31:48) Owning the Payment Rails: 15-Day Payments 

(00:37:38) Automating the "Outlier Workflow" 

(00:41:35) The "Metal on Metal" Hip Recall & Registries 

(00:48:30) Expanding to Cardiology and Bariatrics 

(00:53:03) The Moonshot: Removing the Business Burden from MDs

Key Links for Social:

@SelfFunded on YouTube for video versions of the podcast and much more - https://www.youtube.com/@SelfFunded

Listen/watch on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1TjmrMrkIj0qSmlwAIevKA?si=068a389925474f02

Listen on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-funded-with-spencer/id1566182286

Follow Spencer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-smith-self-funded/

Follow Spencer on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/selffundedwithspencer/