CareTalk Podcast

Send us a textAdministrative hassles and mountains of paperwork remain some of the biggest challenges in healthcare today.Every day, critical time and resources are diverted from doctors, nurses, and other medical staff to navigate inefficient prior authorizations and overwhelming paperwork. Isn't it time we find a better solution?In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll sit down with Anterior Founder and CEO Abdel Mahmoud to explore the burden of administrative tasks on healthcare and how AI can bring clarity and efficiency to the chaos.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 ABDEL MAHMOUDAbdel Mahmoud is the Founder and CEO of Anterior, a company revolutionizing healthcare administration through AI-driven solutions. With a background in product development and healthcare innovation, Abdel brings deep expertise in building tools that reduce administrative burdens and streamline workflows for providers. Previously, he held leadership roles at top healthcare organizations, where he focused on improving efficiency and delivering impactful solutions. Passionate about the intersection of technology and healthcare, Abdel is dedicated to using AI to transform outdated systems, enabling better outcomes for both patients and providers.🎙️⚕️ABOUT ANTERIORAnterior is a leading healthcare technology company focused on transforming the administrative side of medicine through innovative AI solutions. By streamlining processes like prior authorizations and reducing paperwork burdens, Anterior empowers providers to focus on delivering high-quality patient care. With a commitment to improving efficiency, lowering costs, and enhancing the healthcare experience, Anterior is redefining how data and automation support better outcomes for patients and providers alike.GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsSupport the showCareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media.

Send us a textHernia surgery is one of the most common procedures, but the quality of care and post-op treatment can vary widely.What’s behind these variations, and how can we ensure better care for patients?In this episode of HealthBiz Briefs, Dr. Michael Reinhorn and Dr. Nora Fullington dive into the challenges of hernia surgery and explain how Boston Hernia is raising the bar with patient-centered care and improved outcomes.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 MICHAEL REINHORN M.DDr. Michael Reinhorn is a board-certified general surgeon and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, specializing in ambulatory hernia surgery with a focus on inguinal, umbilical, and epigastric hernias. Based near Boston, his practice serves New England with surgical care provided at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Boston Outpatient Surgical Suites, and the Surgery Center of New Hampshire. With over 23 years of experience and more than 5,400 hernia operations performed, Dr. Reinhorn is a recognized expert in minimally invasive hernia surgery, emphasizing opioid reduction and value-based care. He consults for the American Board of Surgery, co-chairs the opioid reduction task force for the ACHQC, and represents the Americas Hernia Society on the ACHQC board. A dedicated educator, researcher, and volunteer with The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare, Dr. Reinhorn is committed to improving patient outcomes and advancing hernia care.🎙️⚕️ABOUT NORA FULLINGTON M.DDr. Nora Fullington is a board-certified general surgeon and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, specializing in minimally invasive hernia and gallbladder surgery. With over 2,000 operations performed as a hospital-based surgeon, she joined the practice in 2021 and has since completed more than 1,000 hernia surgeries. Dr. Fullington is an expert in open preperitoneal mesh and non-mesh repairs, as well as laparoscopic techniques for patients who benefit from minimally invasive approaches. A national authority on hernia repair, she has published peer-reviewed studies, delivered lectures on improving patient outcomes, and brings expertise in gallbladder surgery to the practice. Passionate about patient-centered care, she ensures every patient feels heard and valued. Dr. Fullington also demonstrates her commitment to humanitarian medicine through surgical mission trips to Haiti and advocacy for humanism in healthcare.🎙️⚕️ABOUT BOSTON HERNIABoston Hernia is a specialized surgical practice dedicated to providing expert care for hernia and gallbladder conditions. With a focus on minimally invasive techniques and patient-centered treatment, the team at Boston Hernia delivers exceptional outcomes through personalized care plans, advanced surgical approaches, and a commitment to reducing recovery times. Serving patients across New England, Boston Hernia is known for its expertise, compassionate care, and dedication to improving the lives of thoSupport the showCareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media.

Send us a textPrimary care is the foundation of a strong healthcare system, but it faces mounting challenges, from workforce shortages to reimbursement struggles. Is advanced primary care the solution and what would that model look like?In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll sit down with Kate Goodrich, Chief Medical Officer of Humana, to explore the critical role of primary care and how it must evolve to meet the growing demands of patients, providers, and the healthcare system as a whole.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(0:21) Intro(0:34) Sponsorship(2:05) The Advantages of Primary Care(3:51) Understanding Primary Care(5:06) Why Is Primary Care Struggling(6:55) The Current State of Primary Care(7:57) How Primary Care Is Changing(10:18) The Promise of Care Coordination in Primary Care(12:51) What Does Advanced Primary Care Look Like(15:20) Measuring Success in Primary Care(18:32) What Is Direct Primary Care(19:51) The State of Medicare Managed Care(23:43) Why Are Primary Care Physicians Unhappy🎙️⚕️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 KATE GOODRICHKate Goodrich, MD, MHS, is the Chief Medical Officer at Humana, where she leads clinical initiatives across the insurance and CenterWell businesses, focusing on physician engagement, healthcare research, health equity, and Humana's Bold Goal programs. Previously, she served as Humana’s SVP for Clinical Analytics and Trend, overseeing analytics and rapid learning strategies to improve outcomes while reducing costs. Before joining Humana, Dr. Goodrich was the CMS Chief Medical Officer and Director of the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality, managing 18 quality and value-based purchasing programs, nationwide quality improvement efforts, and Medicare coverage decisions. A practicing hospitalist and professor of medicine, she continues her clinical work at George Washington University Medical Center, where she previously directed the Hospital Medicine division.🎙️⚕️ABOUT HUMANAHumana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is a leading health and well-being company dedicated to helping people live healthy and happy lives since 1961. The company offers personalized healthcare services through its insurance products and CenterWell healthcare services, aiming to simplify the healthcare experience for millions of members across the United States. Humana's commitment extends beyond individual care, as it actively invests in local communities to support and enhance public health initiatives. With a focus on innovation and compassionate care, Humana strives to address global health challenges and make a positive impact on the lives it touches.GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsSupport the showCareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media.

Send us a textWe’re living in an era where health data is more accessible than ever.From lab results to wearable devices like the Apple Watch, there is an overwhelming amount of health information available. However, the real challenge lies in unlocking the potential of this data to drive transformative health improvements for both patients and providers.In this episode of HealthBiz Briefs, guest Richard Kedziora, Co-Founder and COO of Estenda Solutions, discusses how Estenda is leveraging health data to uncover patterns and trends that lead to better treatments and improved patient outcomes.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 RICHARD KEDZIORARichard "RJ" Kedziora, co-founder of Estenda Solutions, leverages over 25 years of experience in technology to create digital health solutions that improve patient outcomes, reduce costs, and enhance patient and provider satisfaction. A results-driven professional, he specializes in leadership, process improvement, software development, and governance, with his work earning multiple awards, including a HIMSS Davies Award, and several patents. RJ holds an MBA from West Chester University and a BS in Computer Science from Duquesne University, where he received the Excellence in Computer Science Award. A frequent podcast guest and speaker at healthcare and technology conferences, he has co-authored articles in peer-reviewed journals.🎙️⚕️ABOUT ESTENDA SOLUTIONSEstenda is an ISO 13485-certified healthcare software development and consulting company that has been advancing the science and technology of digital health since 2003. We collaborate with innovative organizations—commercial, research, clinical, or medical—to invent, design, develop, implement, and research solutions that enhance the health and well-being of individuals. Our services include custom software development, data analytics, AI/ML expertise, and strategic consulting. With a deep commitment to innovation and exceeding expectations, Estenda has successfully delivered numerous digital health projects, applying our extensive experience in healthcare, clinical, and medical systems. GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsSupport the showCareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media.

Send us a textGLP-1 medications like Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Ozempic are taking the market by storm.With demand soaring, many patients are realizing these medications are either not being covered or simply too expensive.Is this all due to provider greed or is the issue more complicated?In this episode of CareTalk, David E. Williams and John Driscoll discuss how the growing demand for weight-loss drugs is creating a conundrum for providers, forcing them to decide between avoiding the costs associated with at-risk patients or investing upfront for long-term savings.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(0:38) Sponsorship(2:06) Obesity in America(2:40) The State of Insurance Coverage for GLP-1s(3:27) Background on Obesity Drugs(4:45) Formation of GLP-1 Use(7:20) The Cost Conundrum of Weight-Loss Drugs(10:16) How Insurance Impacts Weight-Loss Drug Coverage(11:30) Understanding Adverse Selection(14:30) How Insurers Prevent Coverage(15:04) Decisions on Weight-Loss Drug Coverage(16:07) What Makes GLP-1s Unique for Cost Coverage(18:00) Will Weight-Loss Drugs Become Cheaper?(21:22) Medicare's Role in Weight-Loss Drugs(22:17) Examining Side Effects of Weight-Loss Drugs🎙️⚕️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 NewsSupport the showCareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media.

Send us a textEver tried to schedule a doctor’s appointment, only to be stuck on hold for what feels like forever?You’re not alone. A lot of Americans feel the same frustration.Could there be a better way to take control of scheduling?In this episode of HealthBiz Briefs, Relatient CEO Jeff Gartland explains why self-scheduling is still a novel concept in medicine and how its implementation can improve patient access while increasing appointment volumes for providers.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 JEFF GARTLANDJeff Gartland, a pioneer in healthcare information technology systems, brings decades of expertise in growth strategies, innovation, and go-to-market initiatives. As the new CEO of Relatient, he is poised to advance the company’s industry-leading patient engagement and access platform. Previously, Gartland served as President of Anthem’s Advanced Analytics & Services division, where he built scalable technology solutions for the healthcare ecosystem, and held senior leadership roles at Ciox Health and McKesson’s RelayHealth, driving innovation in revenue cycle and clinical interoperability. Relatient, which recently merged with Radix Health, offers an all-in-one platform for patient engagement and scheduling that improves patient experiences and provider utilization.🎙️⚕️ABOUT RELATIENTRelatient, Inc., the 2020 KLAS Category Leader in Patient Outreach, is a SaaS-based patient engagement company focused on improving communication between patients and providers through a mobile-first approach. In 2020, Relatient’s digital platform facilitated over 200 million patient messages for U.S. medical practices and health systems, integrating seamlessly with more than 85 practice management systems and electronic health databases. Its suite of solutions—including patient messaging, self-scheduling, digital registration, and billing—enhances operational efficiency, reduces no-shows, accelerates payments, drives new appointments and reviews, and boosts patient satisfaction, all while supporting health and care quality initiatives.GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsSupport the showCareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media.

Send us a textWhat if you could get personalized medical solutions tailored exactly to your needs, diagnosis, and even genetics?Personalized medicine may have sounded like a pipe dream a few years ago, but it’s fast becoming a major sector of the industry.In this episode of CareTalk, David Williams and John Driscoll sit down with Bradley Bostic, Founder and CEO of hc1 and managing director at Health Cloud Capital, to explore how diagnostics and AI are transforming personalized healthcare through data-driven innovation.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(0:16) Intro(0:32) Sponsorship(2:11) Congratulations to Marty Makary(2:51) How Important Is Lab Testing for Healthcare?(4:38) Going Beyond Basic Lab Data(7:49) How Tests Lead Into Personalized Medicine(10:41) Looking at Data More Effectively(15:00) Will Changes in the Healthcare System Affect Lab Data?🎙️⚕️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 BRAD BOSTICFor 25 years, Brad Bostic has led and invested in high-growth tech companies. Driven to improve patient care, he founded hc1 to enable precise diagnoses and treatments through optimized lab testing. Under his leadership, hc1 grew from a startup to a global leader, analyzing lab data for over 260 million patients using AI. Recognized for his transformational leadership, Brad has significantly enhanced enterprise value and was named "2020 Dynamic Business Leader of the Year" by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and a “Top Entrepreneur” by Becker’s Healthcare.🎙️⚕️ ABOUT HC1Founded in 2011, hc1 leverages lab data to generate actionable insights that enhance patient care, streamline lab operations, and reduce costs. Today, hc1 processes data for over 90 million patients, managing 30 billion clinical transactions monthly on its secure AWS-powered platform. Their solutions, including hc1 Performance Analytics™ and PrecisionDx Advisor™, enable labs to optimize testing and treatment decisions. With its 2024 acquisition of Accumen, hc1 now offers comprehensive solutions to transform labs into strategic assets for health systems, driving precision diagnostics and improved outcomes.🎙️⚕️ ABOUT HEALTH CLOUD CAPITALHealth Cloud Capital is a private equity firm specializing in high-growth health tech companies that leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to uncover hidden risk signals in datasets. Their mission is to revolutionize healthcare by enhancing efficiency, precision, and effectiveness to improve patient outcomes. With a focus on Health Tech Data, Health Cloud Capital has achieved returns exceeding 2X to date. Their partners bring valuable insights from investing in and managing multiple growth-stage companies across healthcare, technology, and cloud computing, providing a competitive edge. The firm has a proven track record of delivering significant returns for investors and ensures that portfolio companies utilize robust, secure, and HITRUST-compSupport the showCareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media.

Send us a textMany patients want to have a say in their medical care, especially when it comes to end-of-life decisions.Despite this, only a third of U.S. adults have completed any form of advance care directive.Even for those who do plan ahead, traditional paper-based advance directives often face challenges like misinterpretation or even being ignored altogether.Could video-recorded directives be the answer?In this HealthBiz Brief, MIDEO CEO Dr. Ferdinando Mirarchi sheds light on the limitations of standard advance care directives and explains why video-based solutions might deliver better results, offering greater clarity and ensuring patients’ wishes are honored.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 FERDINANDO MIRARCHIFerdinando Mirarchi, D.O, is the CEO and Chief Medical Officer of USACS MIDEO, LLC, and recently appointed Chairman of the National Palliative Care Committee for USACS. As the Principal Investigator of the TRIAD Research Series (The Realistic Interpretation of Advance Directives), Dr. Mirarchi has uncovered a global patient safety risk stemming from confusion around living wills, DNR, and POLST orders. His research, featured in outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post, led to the creation of MIDEO (My Informed Decision on VidEO), an innovative, evidence-based video advance directive designed to enhance patient safety by clarifying medical orders and making them instantly accessible.🎙️⚕️ ABOUT MIDEO MIDEO is a video-based advance care planning platform that ensures patient healthcare wishes are clearly communicated when patients cannot express them themselves. By translating patient directives into medical and legal terms, MIDEO makes them easily accessible to medical professionals through a QR code. This innovative approach enhances patient care and reduces costs by providing clarity on critical and end-of-life healthcare preferences. MIDEO offers services tailored for patients, families, health plans, and clinicians, emphasizing the importance of understanding and honoring individual healthcare choices.GET IN TOUCHBecome a CareTalk sponsorGuest appearance requestsVisit us on the webSubscribe to the CareTalk NewsSupport the showCareTalk: Healthcare. Unfiltered. is produced by Grippi Media.