Patients Win

Bridging the Trust Gap: How Transparent Pricing Is Transforming Healthcare for Patients

Welcome to another episode of Patients Win, the podcast dedicated to making healthcare work for the people it serves - the patients. Today, we dive into the intersection of healthcare and technology with David Comiskey of HealthMe. With a unique background that spans national security, the pet care industry, and now healthcare innovation, David Comiskey brings a fresh perspective on how transparency and direct care models can rebuild trust and transform the patient experience. Join Troy Reichert and Dr. Jonathan Bushman as they explore how legacy technology has disrupted the doctor-patient relationship, why pricing transparency is key to restoring trust, and how HealthMe’s platform is simplifying access, costs, and quality for both patients and providers. Hear real-life stories of patients saving thousands and getting the care they need faster, and discover why mission-driven innovation from outside traditional healthcare might just be what patients need to win. Timestamps: 00:00 Starting in the Defense Department 03:33 Building a pet care tech company 06:52 Technology's role in healthcare change 11:13 Benefits of direct care models 14:14 Discussing a simplified service platform 18:28 Discussing trust in healthcare 20:02 Patients using AI in healthcare 24:22 Implementing prospective pricing in healthcare 28:50 Improving healthcare accessibility 32:36 Saving on surgery costs 35:20 Thanking Dave for his contributions Show Website - https://thepatientswin.com/ [https://thepatientswin.com/] Primed Healthcare - https://primedhealthcare.com/ [https://primedhealthcare.com/] Troy Reichert - Show Host - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-reichert-67606b5/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-reichert-67606b5/] Dr. Jonathan Bushman - Show Host - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-bushman-do-106821191 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-bushman-do-106821191] Media Partner - TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/ [https://tophealth.care/] “Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

From Transactional Medicine to Trust: The Employer’s Path to Better Healthcare and Cost Control

Welcome to another episode of Patients Win, the podcast where we flip the script on healthcare and shine a light on strategies that put power back in the patient’s hands. In today’s episode, Troy and Dr. Bushman are joined by Lee Lewis, Chief Strategy Officer of the Healthcare Transformation Alliance, to tackle the "perfect storm" facing American healthcare, from skyrocketing costs and disruptive therapies to the loss of trust in the doctor-patient relationship. Lee Lewis offers a front-line perspective shaped by his work with Fortune 200 employers, highlighting how employers, both large and small, can reclaim control by building trusted, accessible relationships between patients and providers. We'll discuss why fee-for-service medicine is failing both patients and doctors, practical strategies for managing health plan costs, and why now, more than ever, employers should rethink the healthcare supply chain. If you’re looking for hope and actionable insights amid healthcare’s chaos, this episode is for you. Join us for a conversation that challenges old assumptions, champions innovative ideas, and uncovers how everyone, CEOs, HR, brokers, and patients, can start winning in healthcare. Timestamps: 00:00 Healthcare at a tipping point 06:06 Reframing healthcare priorities 10:10 Innovation levels among Fortune 100 companies 10:47 Adopting new supply chain innovations 16:02 Problems with fee-for-service healthcare 20:40 Streamlining healthcare billing systems 21:59 Debating direct primary care model 27:04 Challenges of large-scale communication 30:38 Thoughts on upcoming healthcare changes 33:13 Navigating healthcare supply chains 36:41 Optimizing healthcare costs for employees 38:22 Lowering employee stress with healthcare Show Website - https://thepatientswin.com/ [https://thepatientswin.com/] Primed Healthcare - https://primedhealthcare.com/ [https://primedhealthcare.com/] Troy Reichert - Show Host - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-reichert-67606b5/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-reichert-67606b5/] Dr. Jonathan Bushman - Show Host - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-bushman-do-106821191 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-bushman-do-106821191] Media Partner - TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/ [https://tophealth.care/] “Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Inside the Fight for Price Transparency and Real Healthcare Reform

Welcome back to Patients Win, the podcast where we flip the script on healthcare and put power back into your hands. In today’s episode, hosts Troy Reichert and Dr. Jonathan Bushman are joined by special guest Katy Talento, whose career spans from the halls of the White House to the boardrooms of sharing ministries, and who brings a unique, inside perspective on health policy, employer benefit design, and the future of care in America. Together, they tackle pressing questions: Why are we sicker, more medicated, and more anxious than ever before, despite unprecedented spending on healthcare? What’s really driving up costs in a system “eating our economy” and “stealing the American dream from the middle class”? Katy Talento shares candid stories from her time shaping healthcare policy in the Senate and advising in the White House, gets real about the dysfunctions she witnessed, and explains how the COVID-19 pandemic sparked a powerful shift in public trust and personal health journeys. We’ll pull back the curtain on the legislative battles over price transparency, the structural barriers holding back direct contracting and cash pay at scale, and why bold change is finally disrupting the system from both the inside out. Plus, hear Katy Talento’s uncompromising take on how America can reclaim its health and what every patient, yes, you, needs to do to start winning in today’s healthcare marketplace. This isn’t just about politics or policy; it’s about hope, action, and a community refusing to settle for less. Let’s get started. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Patients Win podcast 06:09 Joining the 2016 transition team 08:15 Frustrations with Medicare doc fix 10:50 Debate prep for Hillary Clinton 15:40 Becoming a naturopathic doctor 17:58 Trust in primary care growth 20:28 Advocating for direct primary care 25:24 Republicans challenging private industry 29:13 Winning the policy argument 31:45 Major changes in healthcare law 34:28 Challenges with cash pay in healthcare 36:23 Challenges with TPA licensing and systems 42:14 Women's bodies under work stress 43:04 Balancing Medicine with Business Advice 45:55 Appreciating impactful healthcare work Show Website - https://thepatientswin.com/ [https://thepatientswin.com/] Primed Healthcare - https://primedhealthcare.com/ [https://primedhealthcare.com/] Troy Reichert - Show Host - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-reichert-67606b5/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-reichert-67606b5/] Dr. Jonathan Bushman - Show Host - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-bushman-do-106821191 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-bushman-do-106821191] Media Partner - TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/ [https://tophealth.care/] “Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Tiffany Ryder’s Journey from NFL Cheerleader to Healthcare Change-Maker

Welcome to another episode of Patients Win, the show where we dig deep into the realities of our healthcare system and highlight the stories and strategies that are giving patients a real voice in their care. In this episode, hosts Troy Reichert and Dr. Jonathan Bushman sit down with Tiffany Ryder, whose unconventional journey spans from NFL cheerleader to PA, to her current work in journalism, to explore the systemic challenges in healthcare that keep patients from getting the care they need. Tiffany Ryder openly shares her personal and professional evolution: from early encounters with misdiagnosed health conditions and a firsthand look at the pitfalls of the medical system, to the jarring realities she faced working in emergency medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses the moral dilemmas and contractual restrictions that prevented her from recommending more affordable or accessible care options and what ultimately drove her to step outside the system to advocate for patients through storytelling and education. Join us as we unpack the emotional toll of working in a flawed system, the power of transparent communication, and the hope that comes from empowered patients and providers alike. Whether you're a patient, a provider, or someone invested in the future of healthcare, this conversation will give you a new perspective and maybe even a little hope that change is possible when patients win. Timestamps: 00:00 "Unexpected Paths to Purpose" 04:04 Early Medical System Experiences 08:08 Rethinking Career in Healthcare 12:03 "Upstream Solutions for Better Care" 14:14 Primary Care Challenges During COVID 18:16 Healthcare Access and System Inefficiencies 20:25 Patients Lost in System Struggles 23:33 "Questioning a Broken Healthcare System" 28:41 "Redefining Patient-Centered Care" 32:32 Empowering Patients in Healthcare Advocacy 35:08 "Clinician's Perspective on Lifelong Learning" 39:33 Challenging Paternalism in Healthcare 42:36 Empowered Choices for Better Health 44:54 "Podcast Paused, Writing Continues" Show Website - https://thepatientswin.com/ [https://thepatientswin.com/] Primed Healthcare - https://primedhealthcare.com/ [https://primedhealthcare.com/] Troy Reichert - Show Host - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-reichert-67606b5/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-reichert-67606b5/] Dr. Jonathan Bushman - Show Host - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-bushman-do-106821191 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-bushman-do-106821191] Media Partner - TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/ [https://tophealth.care/] “Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

From Broken Healthcare to Hope: How Patients Win with Direct Contracts and Nurse Navigation

On this episode of Patients Win, we’re flipping the script on healthcare with a powerful conversation about real change, resilience, and the mission to put patients first. Hosts Troy Reichert and Dr. Jonathan Bushman welcome special guest Tracy Creger: a nurse, patient advocate, and president of Connect Benefits, whose personal journey from the frontline of nursing to healthcare innovation is nothing short of inspiring. You’ll hear the remarkable story of how witnessing first-hand the devastating financial burden on insured patients fueled Tracy Creger's determination to fix a broken system. The episode dives into how direct contracting and true concierge nurse navigation are changing the game for both employers and employees. Together, the hosts and Tracy Creger explore why fear and the unknown keep many from embracing better solutions, and share compelling stories where patients not only receive needed care, but also avoid the financial ruin so many dread. Whether you’re a provider, broker, plan sponsor, or patient, this uplifting episode is packed with actionable insights, personal breakthroughs, and a message of hope: when patients win, we all win. If you’ve ever wondered how healthcare can truly be transformed, this conversation is a must-listen. Timestamps: 00:00 "Patients Win: Empowering Healthcare" 04:52 "Uncovering Flaws in Healthcare System" 09:00 "Cost-Saving Benefits Boost Productivity" 11:05 "When Patients Win, We Thrive" 14:03 Simplifying Healthcare Access Assistance 17:42 "Addressing Fear and Fixing Issues" 22:02 "Stopping Costs, Offering Guidance" 25:18 Seamless Collaboration for Member Care 27:26 "Healthcare Pricing System Broken" 31:48 "Continuous Growth and Education" 33:17 "Patients Win: Healthcare Redefined" Show Website - https://thepatientswin.com/ [https://thepatientswin.com/] Primed Healthcare - https://primedhealthcare.com/ [https://primedhealthcare.com/] Troy Reichert - Show Host - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-reichert-67606b5/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-reichert-67606b5/] Dr. Jonathan Bushman - Show Host - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-bushman-do-106821191 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-bushman-do-106821191] Media Partner - TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/ [https://tophealth.care/] “Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”