Relentless Health Value

In this episode of Relentless Health Value, host Stacey Richter sits down with Peter Hayes to discuss the major forces driving change in the healthcare industry. Hayes outlines three critical factors: changing public opinion, heightened transparency, and new regulations such as the Consolidated Appropriations Act. He emphasizes the unprecedented convergence of these elements, creating a pivotal moment for healthcare transformation. The discussion delves into the erosion of trust within the healthcare system and the growing public unrest over high costs and inefficiencies. Hayes also highlights the role of state-level initiatives as experimental laboratories for potential national solutions. The episode concludes with a call to focus on root causes and collaborative approaches to restore trust and improve healthcare affordability and quality. === LINKS === 🔗 Show Notes with all mentioned links: https://relentlesshealthvalue.com/episodes ✉️ Enjoy this podcast? Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: https://relentlesshealthvalue.com/join-the-relentless-tribe 🫙 Support the podcast with a small donation to the Tip Jar: https://relentlesshealthvalue.com/join-the-relentless-tribe 🎤 Listen on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id892082003?ls=1 🎤 Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6UjgzI7bScDrWvZEk2f46b 📺 Subscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@RelentlessHealthValue === CONNECT WITH THE RHV TEAM === ✭ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/relentless-health-value/ ✭ Threads https://www.threads.net/@relentlesshealthvalue/ ✭ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/relentleshealth.bsky.social ✭ X https://twitter.com/relentleshealth/ 05:28 What things are adding to the urgency in this moment of healthcare? 05:55 The three things that have brought us to a tipping point in healthcare. 07:05 Why is now the real moment for this tipping point? 10:35 EP458 with Komal Bajaj, MD. 13:01 Article by (and tribute to) Uwe Reinhardt. 13:27 Hospital ratings by The Leapfrog Group. 14:08 EP358 with Wayne Jenkins, MD. 15:07 EP474 with Yashaswini Singh, PhD. 16:29 How is regulation changing in healthcare? 21:48 How the "trifecta" of change is working together to create this movement of change in healthcare. 23:54 What do we need to look at to address the problems pushing this change in healthcare? 25:44 EP465 with Chris Crawford. 30:04 Why is federal and state collaboration going to be important to this healthcare change? 31:51 EP455 with Beau Raymond, MD.

In Episode 474 of 'Relentless Health Value', host Stacey Richter interviews Dr. Yashaswini Singh, an economist and assistant professor at Brown University, about the growing influence of private equity (PE) in healthcare. The conversation delves into the corporate transformation of medicine, highlighting the potential misalignment between business interests and patient care. Dr. Singh discusses the diverse strategies PE firms use to drive profitability, such as increasing negotiated prices, consolidating market share, employing real estate leasebacks, and emphasizing performance metrics that may not align with patient benefits. The episode also examines the significant impacts these strategies have on physicians, including increased turnover and changes in practice patterns, as well as the broader implications for patients and communities. Dr. Singh stresses the importance of informed leadership, education, policy enforcement, and transparency to ensure that private investments ultimately benefit healthcare systems without compromising patient care. === LINKS === 🔗 Show Notes with all mentioned links: https://cc-lnk.com/EP474 ✉️ Enjoy this podcast? Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: https://relentlesshealthvalue.com/join-the-relentless-tribe 🫙 Support the podcast with a small donation to the Tip Jar: https://relentlesshealthvalue.com/join-the-relentless-tribe 🎤 Listen on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id892082003?ls=1 🎤 Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6UjgzI7bScDrWvZEk2f46b 📺 Subscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@RelentlessHealthValue === CONNECT WITH THE RHV TEAM === ✭ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/relentless-health-value/ ✭ Threads https://www.threads.net/@relentlesshealthvalue/ ✭ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/relentleshealth.bsky.social ✭ X https://twitter.com/relentleshealth/ 05:53 What is the tension between business and medicine? 07:05 What is the impact of private equity on healthcare? 08:46 How does healthcare change when private equity invests in medical facilities? 10:54 What are the intuitive impacts of private equity in healthcare? 12:28 What are the less intuitive effects of private equity on healthcare? 13:36 EP472 with Eric Bricker, MD. 14:15 What are the misconceptions about private equity investors acquiring healthcare facilities? 16:17 The Steward saga. 16:24 The death of Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia. 19:27 Are there any positive outcomes to private equity investment in healthcare? 21:17 EP445 with Tom X. Lee, MD. 22:45 EP420 with Ge Bai, PhD, CPA. 22:47 EP465 with Chris Crawford. 22:49 EP460 with Rushika Fernandopulle, MD. 22:55 Is there ever a need for private investment in healthcare? 25:40 How do the changes private equity firms create affect patients? 27:20 Study in Health Affairs on physician turnover rates following private equity acquisitions. 29:30 How can private equity disrupt physician employment as well? 34:13 What remedies might there be for consolidation in healthcare and private equity investing in medicine?

This episode of Relentless Health Value features Dr. Kenny Cole from Ochsner Health System. The discussion emphasizes the critical role of trusted relationships and excellent primary care teams in keeping patients out of the emergency room, thus reducing healthcare costs. Stacey Richter revisits this conversation to highlight the importance of care teams building trust with patients and the concept of primary care as an investment in health and wellness. The episode outlines four key points for delivering great primary care, including accountability for outcomes, belief in clinical goals, standardized care flows, and building patient trust. Dr. Cole also discusses the real-world challenges and strategies for achieving clinical and financial success in primary care. The episode serves as a guide for plan sponsors, clinicians, and healthcare executives looking to improve primary care delivery and align it with financial viability. The discussion is further enriched with insights on digitizing care pathways and the importance of measuring and sharing best practices to achieve high standards of care.I Stacey revisits, in a take two, this episode with Dr. Kenny Cole because she's listening to it this time with a new focus. That focus is the theme that keeps coming up over and over and over again on Relentless Health Value these past few months. === LINKS === 🔗 Show Notes with all mentioned links: https://cc-lnk.com/EP473 ✉️ Enjoy this podcast? Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: https://relentlesshealthvalue.com/join-the-relentless-tribe 🫙 Support the podcast with a small donation to the Tip Jar: https://relentlesshealthvalue.com/join-the-relentless-tribe 🎤 Listen on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id892082003?ls=1 🎤 Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6UjgzI7bScDrWvZEk2f46b 📺 Subscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@RelentlessHealthValue === CONNECT WITH THE RHV TEAM === ✭ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/relentless-health-value/ ✭ Threads https://www.threads.net/@relentlesshealthvalue/ ✭ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/relentleshealth.bsky.social ✭ X https://twitter.com/relentleshealth/ 07:35 Is there an optimal care pathway where there might be a lot of treatment variability? 10:52 EP412 with Robert Pearl, MD. 12:32 Why is it important to start with the end in mind? 15:44 How do you scale clinical excellence? 18:18 EP315 with Bob Matthews. 19:12 EP242 with Marty Makary, MD. 21:29 Why is it important simply to demonstrate what's possible for better health outcomes? 22:33 EP427 with Rik Renard. 23:18 How do we reinvent the business model of healthcare? 24:51 EP466 with Vivian Ho, PhD. 25:06 EP415 with Rob Andrews. 26:51 EP391 with Scott Conard, MD. 30:14 EP455 with Beau Raymond, MD. 34:22 Dr. Cole is published in various healthcare journals; check out his most recent article.

Eric Bricker, MD, an internist turned healthcare entrepreneur and hospital finance expert. He breaks down how a tiny share of very costly patients drive massive hospital revenue. He outlines provider stop-loss tactics, charge-master adjustments, and deliberate patient steerage into high-margin service lines. Short, sharp, and revealing look at hospital money mechanics.

Recently on Relentless Health Value, we've been tinkering around with a few recurring themes—recurring through lines—that are just true about American healthcare these days. In this episode of Relentless Health Value, host Stacey Richter speaks with Dr. Christine Hale about high cost claimants and the implications for healthcare plans in 2025 and beyond. They discuss the importance of trust in patient care, the financial incentives behind patient steering, and the critical role of timely and comprehensive data analysis. Dr. Hale emphasizes the need for an integrated approach to medical and pharmacy claims data to avoid expensive consequences and improve patient outcomes. She also shares strategies for plan sponsors to effectively manage high cost claimants through evidence-based care, appropriate treatment settings, and creative problem-solving, while underlining the importance of patient engagement and satisfaction. Don't miss next week's episode with Dr. Eric Bricker for a deeper dive into these topics. === LINKS === 🔗 Show Notes with all mentioned links: https://relentlesshealthvalue.com/episodes ✉️ Enjoy this podcast? Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: https://relentlesshealthvalue.com/join-the-relentless-tribe 🫙 Support the podcast with a small donation to the Tip Jar: https://relentlesshealthvalue.com/join-the-relentless-tribe 🎤 Listen on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id892082003?ls=1 🎤 Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6UjgzI7bScDrWvZEk2f46b 📺 Subscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@RelentlessHealthValue === CONNECT WITH THE RHV TEAM === ✭ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/relentless-health-value/ ✭ Threads https://www.threads.net/@relentlesshealthvalue/ ✭ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/relentleshealth.bsky.social ✭ X https://twitter.com/relentleshealth/ 05:22 What is a high-cost claimant, and how is the definition changing? 07:42 Why buy-and-bill pharmaceuticals can be so costly for plan sponsors. 10:19 What are plan sponsors getting wrong about this situation? 11:28 What do you need as an employer to understand your plan data fully? 13:41 EP462 with Scott Conard, MD. 17:35 What are plan sponsors currently doing that they should not being doing? 19:54 Why starting small is important. 23:02 EP468 with Matt McQuide. 25:37 What are the steps employers should take to improve their high-cost claimant spend? 31:02 EP371 with Erik Davis and Autumn Yongchu. 33:46 EP467 with Stacey. Recent past interviews: Click a guest's name for their latest RHV episode! Nikki King, James Gelfand (Part 2), James Gelfand (Part 1), Matt McQuide, Stacey Richter (EP467), Vivian Ho, Chris Crawford (EP465), Al Lewis, Betsy Seals, Wendell Potter (Encore! EP384), Dr Scott Conard

In this episode, host Stacey Richter revisits a conversation with Nikki King, CEO of Alliance Health Centers, discussing the critical issues facing rural hospitals and healthcare systems. They delve into the impacts of Medicaid cuts, the financial struggles of rural hospitals reliant on commercial insurance, and potential solutions like freestanding emergency rooms, telehealth, and the expanded roles of nurse practitioners. The conversation also covers the complexities of maternity care and mental health services in rural areas, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic reforms to ensure equitable access to healthcare. === LINKS === 🔗 Show Notes with all mentioned links: https://cc-lnk.com/EP470 ✉️ Enjoy this podcast? Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: https://relentlesshealthvalue.com/join-the-relentless-tribe 🫙 Support the podcast with a small donation to the Tip Jar: https://relentlesshealthvalue.com/join-the-relentless-tribe 📺 Subscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@RelentlessHealthValue 🎤 Listen on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id892082003?ls=1 🎤 Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6UjgzI7bScDrWvZEk2f46b === CONNECT WITH THE RHV TEAM === ✭ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/relentless-health-value/ ✭ Threads https://www.threads.net/@relentlesshealthvalue/ ✭ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/relentleshealth.bsky.social ✭ X https://twitter.com/relentleshealth/ 08:14 How dire is the rural hospital situation right now? 08:33 How could freestanding ERs be a potential solution for rural hospitals? 09:56 Advice from CHQPR: Rural hospitals should not be forced to eliminate inpatient care. 11:22 Why is broadband a roadblock to telehealth as a solution for rural health access? 14:52 What are other potential rural health access solutions? 15:37 The "hot potato" of nurse practitioners in the healthcare world. 16:34 "The number of residencies for physicians each year is not increasing, but the population … is increasing." 20:28 EP312 with Douglas Eby, MD, MPH, CPE, of the Nuka System of Care. 22:00 What's the issue with maternity care in rural America? 24:09 "As healthcare becomes more and more specialized, [the] ability to treat high-risk cases is better, but access gets worse." 27:57 How is mental health care affected in rural communities? 28:29 "Rural communities are trying very hard to hang on to what they have." 29:52 "When you look at the one market plan that's available in a rural community, you probably can't afford it." 31:37 What's the single biggest challenge to moving to a model that incentivizes keeping people healthy? 32:32 "The easiest low-hanging fruit … is having national Medicaid and have that put under the same hood as Medicare."

James Gelfand, President and CEO of the ERISA Industry Committee, discusses the evolving landscape of healthcare policies. He highlights the potential impact of Medicare site-neutral payments on hospital consolidation and the necessity for plan sponsors to adapt. Gelfand also sheds light on proposed HSA reforms, which aim to expand preventive care options for employees. The conversation addresses the challenges of high-deductible plans and emphasizes the importance of transparency and competition, aiming to lower overall healthcare costs.

In part 1 of this two part episode, Stacey Richter speaks with James Gelfand, President and CEO of the ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC), about the potential effects of proposed Medicaid cuts on plan sponsors and their members. They explore ways plan sponsors can prepare for the changes, including Medicaid's four major areas of possible cuts: reducing waste, fraud, and abuse; implementing work requirements; reeling in provider taxes; and addressing the 'Cornhusker Kickback' from the ACA. The conversation also delves into how state governments and hospitals might respond to these cuts and suggests actions for plan sponsors to mitigate potential impacts. The episode is part one of a two-part series, with the second episode covering Medicare site neutral payments and HSA reforms. === LINKS === 🔗 Show Notes with all mentioned links: https://relentlesshealthvalue.com/episodes ✉️ Enjoy this podcast? Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: https://relentlesshealthvalue.com/join-the-relentless-tribe 🫙 Support the podcast with a small donation to the Tip Jar: https://relentlesshealthvalue.com/join-the-relentless-tribe 🎤 Listen on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id892082003?ls=1 🎤 Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6UjgzI7bScDrWvZEk2f46b 📺 Subscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@RelentlessHealthValue === CONNECT WITH THE RHV TEAM === ✭ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/relentless-health-value/ ✭ Threads https://www.threads.net/@relentlesshealthvalue/ ✭ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/relentleshealth.bsky.social ✭ X https://twitter.com/relentleshealth/ 05:22 What's happening with Medicaid cuts? 06:47 What are the four main things congress is actually looking at in cutting Medicaid? 09:12 What is the Cornhusker Kickback? 16:46 What should plan sponsors be doing right now to prepare for these potential Medicaid cuts? 20:04 What's going to happen to hospitals with these proposed Medicaid cuts? 20:48 EP464 with Al Lewis. 23:41 How does hospital consolidation affect the potential future with these Medicaid cuts?

In a thought-provoking discussion, Matt McQuide, CEO of Synergy Healthcare, dives into misconceptions about member engagement in the healthcare industry. He debunks the myth that individuals who struggle with health don't care, spotlighting the importance of trust and relationships. Matt outlines three major misassumptions and emphasizes the crucial role of employers in guiding employees through their health journeys. The conversation is packed with real-life examples and practical strategies for enhancing member engagement and improving health outcomes.

In this solo episode of 'Relentless Health Value,' host Stacey Richter dives into the intricate relationship between increased emergency room (ER) visits and the lack of access to effective primary care. Discussing insights from recent episodes featuring experts like Matt McQuide, Dr. Christine Hale, and others, Stacey explores how inadequate primary care leads to skyrocketing ER costs, which now account for 6% of total healthcare spending. Key points include the systemic issues driving this trend, the incentives misalignments within hospitals and insurance carriers, and the importance of establishing trust and relationships in primary care. The episode also discusses perspectives from healthcare professionals and thought leaders on potential solutions to realign healthcare incentives and improve patient outcomes. === LINKS === 🔗 Show Notes with all mentioned links: https://cc-lnk.com/EP467 ✉️ Enjoy this podcast? Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: https://relentlesshealthvalue.com/join-the-relentless-tribe 🫙 Support the podcast with a small donation to the Tip Jar: https://relentlesshealthvalue.com/join-the-relentless-tribe 🎤 Listen on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feed/id892082003?ls=1 🎤 Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6UjgzI7bScDrWvZEk2f46b 📺 Subscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@RelentlessHealthValue === CONNECT WITH THE RHV TEAM === ✭ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/relentless-health-value/ ✭ Threads https://www.threads.net/@relentlesshealthvalue/ ✭ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/relentleshealth.bsky.social/ ✭ X https://twitter.com/relentleshealth/ 02:16 Connecting the dots between the last six shows. 05:34 EP466 with Vivian Ho, PhD. 05:53 EP463 with Betsy Seals. 05:56 EP384 with Wendell Potter. 14:38 Where does the primary care through line connect to carriers? 17:13 Health Affairs study showing ER cost increases. 19:19 Kevin O'Leary's Health Tech Nerds newsletter. 19:40 EP407 with Vivek Garg, MD, MBA. 20:47 How are hospital board directors affecting hospital price increases and why? 21:49 Upcoming episode with Matt McQuide. Also mentioned in this episode are Matt McQuide; Christine Hale, MD, MBA; Kenny Cole, MD; Al Lewis; John Lee, MD; Rushika Fernandopulle, MD; Scott Conard, MD; Vivian Ho, PhD; Betsy Seals; Wendell Potter; Tim Denman; François de Brantes, MBA; Jeff Charles Goldsmith, PhD; Mick Connors, MD; Primary Care for All Americans; Rob Andrews; Alex Sommers, MD, ABEM, DipABLM; Ann Lewandowski; Steve Schutzer, MD; Sergei Polevikov, ABD, MBA, MS, MA 🇮🇱🇺🇦; Kevin O'Leary; Health Tech Nerds; Vivek Garg, MD, MBA; Suhas Gondi, MD, MBA;