CareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered.

Kyle Kiser, CEO of Arrive Health, discusses the pressing issue of prescription affordability and the gaps in medication access faced by many Americans. He highlights how point-of-prescribing technology can bridge these gaps and enhance patient care through real-time data. The conversation touches on the evolving role of pharmaceutical support programs and the potential of biosimilars to lower costs. Kiser emphasizes the importance of integrating consumer choice into healthcare decision-making to empower patients and streamline access to necessary medications.

Send us Fan MailIt's well known that hospitals struggle with capacity issues, but could the real culprit be poor optimization?Making matters worse, consistent financial pressure and aging populations are driving demand to an all-time high. In this episode of HealthBiz Briefs, Mohan Giridharadas, Founder and CEO of LeanTaaS, discusses the challenges facing medical providers and how advanced algorithms and AI solutions can streamline efficiency for better results.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy. 🎙️⚕️ABOUT MOHAN GIRIDHARADASMohan Giridharadas is the Founder and CEO of LeanTaaS, a healthcare analytics company with 350 employees and offices in Silicon Valley and Charlotte. LeanTaaS integrates patented optimization algorithms and advanced data science into its iQueue suite, helping health systems enhance patient access and reduce costs by maximizing capacity in limited resources. Over 800 hospitals and 180 leading health systems, including renowned institutions like Duke, Emory, and Memorial Sloan Kettering, utilize iQueue products. Before founding LeanTaaS in 2010, Mohan was a senior partner at McKinsey & Company, where he led the Lean Manufacturing and Service Operations Practice. He holds an MBA from Stanford, an MS in computer science from Georgia Tech, and a B. Tech in electrical engineering from IIT Bombay.🎙️⚕️ABOUT LEANTAAS Rising patient volumes traditionally prompted hospitals to build or acquire new capacity, but with razor-thin margins and increasing financial pressures, that approach is no longer feasible. The modern solution is to do more with less by maximizing existing healthcare capacity through powerful AI technology. At LeanTaaS, they provide capacity management software that addresses the complex operational challenges of supply and demand. Their iQueue solutions utilize Lean principles and AI/ML predictive and prescriptive analytics to forecast future demand based on historical data, recent pattern shifts, and real-time insights, enabling staff and providers to respond quickly and confidently. GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterSupport the show⚙️CareTalk:  Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

Send us Fan MailIt’s no secret that medical drug prices have been out of control for most Americans.However, one hospital group has a novel idea to control drug spending.Blue Shield of California is bypassing PBMs by negotiating directly with the manufacturer of a biosimilar for Humira.Is this a one-off experiment or the start of a bigger trend that can drive industry-wide impact?In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll discuss these price negotiation tactics and what they see as the long-term results of Blue Shield of California’s attempt to lower pharmaceutical prices.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS(0:34) Sponsorship(1:50) Understanding the Complex Nature of Deals with PBMs(2:40) Examining the Humira Deal(3:18) Is the Humira Deal a Trend in Healthcare?(5:43) Will Deals Like Humira Lower Drug Costs?(7:30) Will Patients See Lower Drug Costs?(9:58) How PBMs Factor into Lowering Drug Costs(11:58) The Investor's Perspective on the Blue Shield Deal(13:20) How Patients Factor into Drug Negotiations(16:48) Exploring Cost Plus's Pricing Deals(20:30) PBMs, Inflation, and the Future of Drug Costs🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterShop official CareTalk merchFOLLOW CARETALKSupport the show⚙️CareTalk:  Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

Send us Fan MailThis year’s hurricane season is battering states across the country, and the healthcare supply chain is feeling the pressure.Making matters worse, Hurricane Helene has just crippled a North Carolina factory responsible for producing 60% of the IV fluids used in U.S. hospitals.Will the healthcare supply chain buckle under the weight?And how will patient care be impacted nationwide?In this episode of HealthBiz Briefs, David Williams and John Driscoll explore how recent natural disasters affect our healthcare system and medical supply chains—and what these disruptions reveal about the long-term need for stronger disaster preparedness.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterShop official CareTalk merchFOLLOW CARETALKSupport the show⚙️CareTalk:  Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

Send us Fan MailSurprise, surprise, the US healthcare system is still the most expensive and lowest performing. That’s the message from the latest Commonwealth Fund report called Mirror, Mirror 2024: A Portrait of the Failing U.S. Health System.   In this episode of CareTalk, John and David dive into the report’s findings to uncover why U.S. healthcare remains so broken—and explore what, if anything, can be done to fix it.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS(0:27) Sponsorship(1:45) Looking at the Commonwealth Report on the State of Healthcare(3:18) How Well Does U.S. Healthcare Perform for Its Cost?(6:00) What is Care Processing?(7:08) Where is the U.S. an Outlier in Health Concerns?(9:30) How Private Equity Ownership is Affecting Healthcare(10:53) Why Primary Care is in Crisis(11:49) How the Healthcare System Can Strengthen Primary Care(13:56) The Task of Improving Care Access(16:30) How AI and New Technology Can Improve the U.S. Healthcare System(17:55) Administrative Inefficiency in U.S. Healthcare🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.🎙️⚕️ ABOUT AMY BROWNAmy Brown, the founder and CEO of Authenticx, has built a distinguished career in healthcare, advocating for underserved populations, leading teams to expand coverage, and mastering corporate operations. Drawing on two decades of experience across healthcare and insurance sectors, she founded Authenticx in 2018 to address the missed opportunities in utilizing customer interaction data. Authenticx provides healthcare organizations with a unified source of conversational data, bringing the authentic voice of the patient into the boardroom to drive growth, profitability, and improved healthcare outcomes.🎙️⚕️ ABOUT AUTHENTICXAuthenticx was established to revolutionize how healthcare organizations listen on a large scale. By harnessing the power of AI, Authenticx transforms everyday conversations into actionable insights, aiming to uncover transformative opportunities within the healthcare sector.With over 100 years of collective leadership experience in pharmaceutical, payer, and healthcare organizations, the team at Authenticx understands the challenges and opportunities that clients encounter, having navigated similar landscapes themselves. This deep industry knowledge drives their commitment to delivering solutions that truly address the needs of their clients and enhance healthcare outcomes.GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterSupport the show⚙️CareTalk:  Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

Send us Fan MailNurses and frontline healthcare workers are under tremendous pressure.Can AI help reduce this burnout?In this episode of HealthBiz Briefs, Russ Richmond, Founder and CEO of Laudio, discusses how they're easing the burden on medical professionals by improving margins, streamlining workflows, and ultimately enhancing patient care experiences.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.🎙️⚕️ ABOUT RUSS RICHMONDRuss Richmond, MD, is the CEO and Co-Founder of Laudio, where he also serves as Chairman of the Board. A seasoned physician entrepreneur, Russ has built several digital health companies, including Laudio, Advanced Practice Strategies, Objective Health, Verisk Health, and D2Hawkeye. He has also advised large payers and health systems during his time with McKinsey & Company.In addition to leading Laudio, Russ serves on the investment committee of the Mass General Brigham AI Fund. He completed his internship in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Michigan, earned his MD from the University of Cincinnati, and holds a BS in Biology from the University of Michigan. 🎙️⚕️ ABOUT LAUDIOLaudio was founded with a deep respect for frontline healthcare workers and a mission to address their challenges. The co-founders developed the first platform designed specifically to empower frontline leaders, improving team engagement and retention. Laudio has grown rapidly and now supports thousands of leaders across nearly 20 health systems.The platform bridges the gap between executive goals and frontline actions, streamlining key workflows and offering AI-based recommendations to reduce administrative burdens. This enables leaders to focus on meaningful team engagement, resulting in more satisfied employees, improved patient care, and better business outcomes.GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterFOLLOW CARETALKSpotifyApple PodcastsSupport the show⚙️CareTalk:  Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

Send us Fan MailA lot can be learned by monitoring individual customer service calls, analyzing patient experience, and optimizing call performance, but a systemic and scalable approach has always seemed out of reach.But new AI technologies are flipping the script on this age-old roadblock.In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll are joined by Amy Brown, CEO of Authenticx, to explore how AI can improve patient experiences, efficiently gather and analyze data from call centers, and what the future of AI in healthcare holds.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS(0:23) Sponsorship(1:58) Taking on Patient Experiences in Healthcare(3:54) How Has the Patient Experience Evolved After COVID?(6:06) Why Aren't We in the Golden Age of Patient Experience?(9:28) What Is the Eddy Effect?(12:33) How to Improve Customer Service in Healthcare?(14:08) Improving Prescription Renewal Processes(16:38) Structuring Solutions for Patient Experiences(20:52) Technology's Role in Improving Patient Experiences(24:24) Why Was Amy Brown Skeptical of AI?(25:24) How Can Call Centers Operate Differently with AI?(28:23) Getting at the Ground Truth of Patient Needs 🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy. 🎙️⚕️ ABOUT AMY BROWNAmy Brown, the founder and CEO of Authenticx, has built a distinguished career in healthcare, advocating for underserved populations, leading teams to expand coverage, and mastering corporate operations. Drawing on two decades of experience across healthcare and insurance sectors, she founded Authenticx in 2018 to address the missed opportunities in utilizing customer interaction data. Authenticx provides healthcare organizations with a unified source of conversational data, bringing the authentic voice of the patient into the boardroom to drive growth, profitability, and improved healthcare outcomes.🎙️⚕️ ABOUT AUTHENTICXAuthenticx was established to revolutionize how healthcare organizations listen on a large scale. By harnessing the power of AI, Authenticx transforms everyday conversations into actionable insights, aiming to uncover transformative opportunities within the healthcare sector.With over 100 years of collective leadership experience in pharmaceutical, payer, and healthcare organizations, the team at Authenticx understands the challenges and opportunities that clients encounter, having navigated similar landscapes themselves. This deep industry knowledge drives their commitment to delivering solutions that truly address the needs of their clients and enhance healthcare outcomes.GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CSupport the show⚙️CareTalk:  Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

Send us Fan MailValue-based care often focuses on primary care rather than specialties.But can and should that change?Especially when it comes to cardiology.In this HealthBiz Brief, George Aloth, CEO of Chamber, explains how they are enabling cardiology teams to excel in a value-based system by ensuring providers are rewarded for delivering the right care at the right time.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy. 🎙️⚕️ ABOUT GEORGE ALOTHGeorge is a seasoned healthcare operations and business executive with over 15 years of experience. He has held roles including Group President at Somatus, a leader in value-based kidney care, President & CEO of a BCBS health plan, and COO at a Medicaid/Medicare payer. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors at George Washington University Hospital.🎙️⚕️ ABOUT CHAMBER Chamber empowers cardiology practices to thrive in a value-based care environment by ensuring they are compensated for delivering the right care at the right time. Their technology facilitates comprehensive patient care and opens up new revenue streams.GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterSupport the show⚙️CareTalk:  Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

Send us Fan MailBlind spots in our thinking and decision-making are an inevitable part of the human experience. But what does this mean in the context of medicine?In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll explore these challenges with guest Dr. Marty Makary, author of Blind Spots, delving into our natural resistance to new ideas, the impact of these tendencies on healthcare, and strategies for addressing blind spots in modern medicine.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS(0:25) Sponsorship(2:01) What got Dr. Makary into Medical Blind Spots?(3:40) The Biggest Blind Spots in Medicine(5:26) Looking Into the Questionable Data Around HRT and Cancer(7:48) Where did Peanut Allergies Come From?(10:08) Do Eggs Cause Heart Attacks?(12:32) Understanding Dietary Cholesterol (13:47) How to Reestablish Trust Between Patients and the Medical Community(16:19) Exploring Historical Blind Spots(18:19) How Human Nature Affects Medical Progress(22:49) What Blind Spots will There be in the Future?(25:00) How Should Patients Approach Blind Spots in Medicine?🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy. 🎙️⚕️ ABOUT DR. MARTY MAKARYDr. Marty Makary, a bestselling author and healthcare expert at Johns Hopkins University, is renowned for his work in improving healthcare systems and transparency. His latest book, The Price We Pay, earned him the 2020 Business Book of the Year Award and has been hailed by Steve Forbes as essential reading. As a leader in public health research, Dr. Makary focuses on redesigning healthcare to enhance reliability and coordination, especially for vulnerable populations. He is also the chief of Islet Transplant Surgery at Johns Hopkins, has received the Nobility in Science Award, and is a member of the National Academy of Medicine. With over 250 peer-reviewed articles and extensive teaching experience, Dr. Makary's academic background includes degrees from Bucknell, Thomas Jefferson, and Harvard, along with surgical residency at Georgetown and specialty training at Johns Hopkins.GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterFOLLOW CARETALKSpotifyApple PodcastsSupport the show⚙️CareTalk:  Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.

Send us Fan MailDespite ongoing attention and investment, significant disparities persist in the U.S. healthcare system.A clear example of these disparities can be seen within the legacy of racial discrimination present in healthcare for Black communities.In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams meets with Caretha Coleman, board chairman of the Black Directors Health Equity Agenda, to discuss the state of healthcare in the Black community, how disparities and racial biases are costing lives, and the efforts of leaders like her to drive change, equity, and progress.This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/caretalk and get on your way to being your best self.As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.TOPICS:(0:26) Sponsorship(2:07) Understanding the key health issues facing Black Americans(3:07) Looking at a legacy of racial disparities(6:19) How health issues disproportionally affect the Black community(8:52) The rates of infant and maternal mortality within the Black community(11:49) Are racial disparities recognized in healthcare?(14:26) Improving results with better minority care(16:25) Shorting the good from the bad in race-based algorisms(20:20) The Role of the Black Directors' Health Equity Agenda(24:44) How her career and life experiences have driven Caretha Coleman(26:44) What is driving the push-back against DEI and what can be done about it🎙️⚕️ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy.🎙️⚕️ ABOUT CARETHA COLEMANCaretha Coleman is a seasoned board director, C-suite executive, adviser, executive coach, and community advocate with over 40 years of experience in the technology industry. Starting her career at Hewlett Packard, she worked with startups and early-stage ventures, specializing in organizational strategy and executive coaching. She played a key role as Chief Human Resources Officer at Software Publishing Corporation and later served as CAO at Interval Research, overseeing finance, HR, and facilities.🎙️⚕️ ABOUT BLACK DIRECTORS HEALTH EQUITY AGENDAThe Black Directors Health Equity Agenda (BDHEA) envisions a society where race and poverty no longer determine health or life outcomes. Despite years of efforts, disparities in Black communities persist, and BDHEA aims to eliminate them through trusted leadership and data-driven action. GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsletterFOLLOW CARETALKSpotifyApple PodcastsSupport the show⚙️CareTalk:  Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media Digital Marketing Consulting.