Navigating Compliance and Entrepreneurship in Digital Health: Insights from Phoebe Gutierrez

Fighting the System: Dr. Muhamad Aly Rifai’s Telehealth Legal Triumph

“Even when the system seems unbeatable, persistence, evidence, and truth can prevail.” - Dr. Rifai Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist and host of Skin Deep, welcomes Dr. Muhamad Aly Rifai — triple-board-certified in internal medicine, psychiatry, and addiction medicine. A genuine telehealth pioneer since 2006, Dr. Rifai helped build the nation's first emergency telehealth system and co-authored the field's early clinical guidelines. What does it cost to be ahead of your time? He knows firsthand. His book, Doctor Not Guilty, hit number one on Amazon in mental health and health law. His core message: impeccable documentation isn't just best practice — when the government comes knocking, it becomes your entire defense. The episode covers every stage of Dr. Rifai's seven-year ordeal: a Medicare audit in 2017, a federal indictment in 2022, and a five-day trial in May 2024 that ended with a "not guilty on all charges" verdict in just two hours. Can one physician really beat the Department of Justice? Dr. Rifai walks through the investigation tactics physicians rarely see coming — secret bank access, four consecutive IRS audits, staff intimidation. He also spotlights landmark physician cases, including one now petitioned to the U.S. Supreme Court, and resources for doctors who need support today. Dr. Muhamad Aly Rifai is board-certified in internal medicine, psychiatry, and addiction medicine, with over 15 years in private practice. A telehealth pioneer since 2006, he helped establish the nation's first emergency telehealth system and authored foundational guidelines for the field. In May 2024, he was acquitted on all counts of federal healthcare fraud following a landmark five-day trial. His memoir, Doctor Not Guilty — a number one Amazon bestseller in mental health and health law — chronicles that journey. He now advocates for physicians facing legal challenges through www.shield.expert. In This Episode: * (00:00) Dr. Rifai shares his telehealth career and the book that came from his legal fight * (06:36) Inside the investigation: how a 2017 Medicare audit became a federal indictment * (12:54) Other physicians who fought back — and the case now before the Supreme Court * (17:00) How Dr. Rifai protected 20,000 patients' trust and fought back through the media * Share with a dermatology pro you know, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes! About the show: Welcome to Skin Deep, a podcast designed for dermatology professionals. Host Dr. Anna Chacon, a distinguished dermatologist and author, shares her unique experiences and offers valuable insights on the future of dermatology, including telemedicine and teledermatology in reaching underserved communities. Dr. Chacon provides actionable recommendations for dermatology practices, emphasizing compassion, patient education, and staying current with advancements in the field. About the host: Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Indigenous Dermatology, specializes in treating patients in remote and rural communities. As the first dermatologist serving Alaska's Bush region, she travels by bush plane to reach isolated communities. Dr. Chacon holds medical licenses in all 50 states, DC, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing both in-person and teledermatology services. Resources: Dr. Muhamad Aly Rifai: Website: www.alyrifai.com [http://www.alyrifai.com] Practice (Blue Mountain Psychiatry): www.bluepsychiatry.org [http://www.bluepsychiatry.org] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alyrifai [http://www.linkedin.com/in/alyrifai]SHIELD — Support and Help in Ethical Legal Defense: www.shield.expert [http://www.shield.expert] Doctor Not Guilty on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Not-Guilty-Muhamad-Rifai/dp/B0FJ7SGH71 [https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Not-Guilty-Muhamad-Rifai/dp/B0FJ7SGH71] Website: www.drannachacon.com [http://www.drannachacon.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miamiderm [https://www.facebook.com/miamiderm] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamiderm/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamiderm/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miamiderm/ [https://www.instagram.com/miamiderm/] YouTube:https:/www.youtube.com/@miamiderm/podcasts [http://www.youtube.com/@miamiderm/podcasts]

From Scalpel to Strategy: Dr. Samuel Sarmiento on Building Juniper Life Sciences Beyond Clinical Medicine

What drives a surgeon to leave the operating room? Dr. Anna Chacon welcomes Dr. Samuel Sarmiento, a physician-turned-strategy consultant who transformed his medical career into entrepreneurial success. Dr. Sarmiento, founder and CEO of Juniper Life Sciences, brings a unique blend of surgical training from Mayo Clinic and dual graduate degrees from Johns Hopkins University in public health and business administration. His boutique consulting firm specializes in health, wellness, and digital health companies, from supplement brands to biotechnology startups. Dr. Sarmiento's journey reveals the importance of aligning professional choices with personal values and recognizing burnout before it takes hold. This conversation explores the critical decision points facing physicians considering non-traditional career paths. Topics include the practical value of MPH and MBA degrees for healthcare professionals, strategies for physicians experiencing burnout, and the role of self-reflection in career transitions. Dr. Sarmiento shares his passion for language learning—he speaks seven languages—and discusses how it enhances cultural competence and business relationships. The episode also addresses emerging trends in healthcare, particularly artificial intelligence's potential to reduce administrative burden and improve patient care, while maintaining the irreplaceable human element of medicine. Dr. Samuel Sarmiento is a physician-turned-strategy consultant specializing in health, wellness, and digital health sectors. Originally from Ecuador, he completed his surgical internship at Mayo Clinic before earning dual graduate degrees in Public Health and Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University. He founded Juniper Life Sciences, a boutique consulting firm helping companies innovate through strategic consulting and clinical research. A polyglot speaking seven languages, Dr. Sarmiento is exploring AI's role in reducing physician burnout and envisions creating a holistic healing center in Ecuador integrating physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. In This Episode: * (00:00) Dr. Samuel Sarmiento shares his path from Ecuador to Mayo Clinic and discovering consulting wasn't the right fit * (03:14) Family influence and maintaining cultural identity while building a career in the United States * (05:52) The real value of public health and business degrees for physicians considering entrepreneurial paths * (10:36) Language learning as a tool for cultural competence and enhanced business relationships * (15:42) Essential advice for physicians considering entrepreneurship or experiencing clinical burnout * Share with a dermatology pro you know, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes! About the show: Welcome to Skin Deep, a podcast designed for dermatology professionals. Host Dr. Anna Chacon, a distinguished dermatologist and author, shares her unique experiences and offers valuable insights on the future of dermatology, including telemedicine and teledermatology in reaching underserved communities. Dr. Chacon provides actionable recommendations for dermatology practices, emphasizing compassion, patient education, and staying current with advancements in the field. About the host: Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Indigenous Dermatology, specializes in treating patients in remote and rural communities. As the first dermatologist serving Alaska's Bush region, she travels by bush plane to reach isolated communities. Dr. Chacon holds medical licenses in all 50 states, DC, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing both in-person and teledermatology services. Resources: Website: juniper.life Email: info@juniper.life LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/samuelsarmiento Twitter/X: @DoctorSamMPH Instagram: @samuel.sarmiento ConversationExchange: https://conversationexchange.com [https://conversationexchange.com] (Language learning tandem exchange platform) Website: www.drannachacon.com [http://www.drannachacon.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miamiderm [https://www.facebook.com/miamiderm] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamiderm/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamiderm/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miamiderm/ [https://www.instagram.com/miamiderm/] YouTube:https:/www.youtube.com/@miamiderm/podcasts [http://www.youtube.com/@miamiderm/podcasts]

Building a Virtual Practice: Dr. Joshua Engle on Telemedicine, Patient Acquisition, and Healthcare Innovation

What if your smartphone camera could capture your complete vital signs during a virtual doctor visit—no wearable required? Dr. Anna Chacon welcomes Dr. Joshua Engle, founder of With You MD, a virtual-first medical practice specializing in primary care and chronic care management for Medicare and Medicaid populations. Dr. Engle completed his training at USC and Harvard's Beth Israel, where he developed a passion for medical technology through programs pairing medical students with engineering students. His background includes working on pediatric seizure monitoring devices and neuroradiology research. Today, Dr. Engle champions telemedicine as a powerful tool to serve historically underserved populations through CCM and RPM billing codes. How did COVID-19 accelerate the acceptance of virtual care in healthcare? The conversation explores Dr. Engle's entrepreneurial journey from academic medicine to launching With You MD, his strategies for patient acquisition through social media and networking, and the challenges of staffing a virtual practice. Dr. Engle shares insights from his podcast "Your First 100," discusses practical advice on EMR selection and hiring philosophy, and reveals his excitement about remote photoplethysmography (RPPG)—emerging technology that could revolutionize telehealth by capturing full vital signs through a smartphone camera. Dr. Joshua Engle is a graduate of USC Keck School of Medicine who completed his internship at Loyola MacNeal Hospital and post-doctoral research at Harvard's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. As founder of With You MD, he combines medical technology with wellness to serve Medicare and Medicaid populations. Before medical school, Dr. Engle launched a nonprofit providing over 3,000 free blood pressure screenings in underserved communities. Selected for USC's prestigious Health, Technology, and Engineering program, he pioneered work in neuroimaging for early disease detection. At With You MD, Dr. Engle ensures all medical technology undergoes rigorous clinical validation. In This Episode: * (00:00) From USC to healthcare entrepreneurship: Dr. Engle's medical technology journey * (04:40) Choosing entrepreneurship over traditional hospital practice * (09:24) Patient acquisition strategies: social media, networking, and organic growth * (15:48) Building a virtual practice: platforms, technology, and With You MD's approach * (19:35) The staffing challenge: hiring philosophy and setting expectations for success * (27:52) The future of virtual care: remote photoplethysmography and emerging health tech * Share with a dermatology pro you know, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes! About the show: Welcome to Skin Deep, a podcast designed for dermatology professionals. Host Dr. Anna Chacon, a distinguished dermatologist and author, shares her unique experiences and offers valuable insights on the future of dermatology, including telemedicine and teledermatology in reaching underserved communities. Dr. Chacon provides actionable recommendations for dermatology practices, emphasizing compassion, patient education, and staying current with advancements in the field. About the host: Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Indigenous Dermatology, specializes in treating patients in remote and rural communities. As the first dermatologist serving Alaska's Bush region, she travels by bush plane to reach isolated communities. Dr. Chacon holds medical licenses in all 50 states, DC, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing both in-person and teledermatology services. Resources: Dr. Joshua Engle / With You MD: * Website: https://withumd.com [https://withumd.com] * Email: info@withumd.com [info@withumd.com] * LinkedIn: Dr. Joshua Engle https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-engle-a8286a5/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-engle-a8286a5/] * Podcast: "Your First 100" (available on major podcast platforms) Medical Coworking Space Mentioned: * NYLO Medical Coworking: https://www.nylomedical.com [https://www.nylomedical.com] (N-Y-L-O) EMR Platform Mentioned: * Healthy EMR: https://www.gethealthie.com/  [https://www.gethealthie.com/] Website: www.drannachacon.com [http://www.drannachacon.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miamiderm [https://www.facebook.com/miamiderm] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamiderm/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamiderm/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miamiderm/ [https://www.instagram.com/miamiderm/] YouTube:https:/www.youtube.com/@miamiderm/podcasts [http://www.youtube.com/@miamiderm/podcasts]

Navigating Compliance and Entrepreneurship in Digital Health: Insights from Phoebe Gutierrez

Are you unknowingly violating Medicaid rules that could trigger a license investigation? Dr. Anna Chacon welcomes Phoebe Gutierrez, a compliance and operations expert with over 12 years of experience as a California state regulator overseeing Medicaid programs. Phoebe is the founder of Camino Strategy, a boutique consulting firm specializing in digital health compliance, and co-hosts a weekly podcast on digital health innovation. Her unique background bridges government regulation and entrepreneurship, positioning her as a vital resource for physicians navigating the complex landscape of telehealth, medical directorships, and multi-state licensure. What drives her work? A fierce commitment to protecting clinicians from inadvertent compliance violations that could jeopardize their licenses. This conversation explores the hidden compliance pitfalls physicians face in digital health, from balance billing violations in Medicaid to state-specific medical director requirements. How can doctors protect their licenses when working with telehealth startups? Phoebe reveals the critical differences between IMLC and traditional licensure, discusses which states have the strictest enforcement, and explains why Maryland's delegation rules catch so many practitioners off guard. The episode also examines regulatory changes on the horizon, including prescribing restrictions and FTC investigations into subscription-based telehealth models. Will the future of healthcare be purely virtual, or are we heading toward a hybrid model? Phoebe shares her insights on balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood while building a thriving consulting practice. Phoebe Gutierrez is a healthcare compliance and operations expert with over 12 years of experience as a California state regulator overseeing Medicaid programs. She investigated fraud, developed policy, and collaborated with the Medical Board of California. Now founder of Camino Strategy, a boutique consulting firm, Phoebe helps digital health startups build compliant operational structures. Based in Sacramento with four children, she comes from a family of entrepreneurs and co-hosts a weekly podcast on digital health innovation. Her mission: protecting physicians from inadvertent compliance violations in the rapidly evolving telehealth landscape. In This Episode: * (00:00) Phoebe Gutierrez - background in compliance and protecting physicians from inadvertent violations * (05:10) Understanding balance billing violations and how compliance investigations begin * (10:47) The risks physicians face when working with digital health startups * (16:17) Resources and networks for strengthening compliance knowledge in healthcare * (20:32) Entrepreneurship, family business legacy, and building Camino Strategy * (25:18) State-specific regulations that catch medical directors off guard * (30:12) The future of telehealth and why hybrid models will dominate * (35:19) Upcoming regulatory changes in prescribing rules and FTC oversight * Share with a dermatology pro you know, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes! About the show: Welcome to Skin Deep, a podcast designed for dermatology professionals. Host Dr. Anna Chacon, a distinguished dermatologist and author, shares her unique experiences and offers valuable insights on the future of dermatology, including telemedicine and teledermatology in reaching underserved communities. Dr. Chacon provides actionable recommendations for dermatology practices, emphasizing compassion, patient education, and staying current with advancements in the field. About the host: Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Indigenous Dermatology, specializes in treating patients in remote and rural communities. As the first dermatologist serving Alaska's Bush region, she travels by bush plane to reach isolated communities. Dr. Chacon holds medical licenses in all 50 states, DC, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing both in-person and teledermatology services. Resources: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pkgutierrez/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/pkgutierrez/]Camino Strategy Group: https://www.caminostrategygroup.com/ [https://www.caminostrategygroup.com/]Telemedicine Talks Podcast: https://telemedicine-talks.simplecast.com/ Website: www.drannachacon.com [http://www.drannachacon.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miamiderm [https://www.facebook.com/miamiderm] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamiderm/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamiderm/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miamiderm/ [https://www.instagram.com/miamiderm/] YouTube:https:/www.youtube.com/@miamiderm/podcasts [http://www.youtube.com/@miamiderm/podcasts]

Redefining Success: Dr. Rami Wehbi on Career Pivots and the Match Day Fellowship

What happens when physicians realize their $300,000 debt has created golden handcuffs they can never escape? Dr. Anna Chacon welcomes Dr. Rami Wehbi, a former family physician who transformed burnout into entrepreneurship. As Founder and CEO of Match Day Health and host of The Dream Job Podcast, Rami guides healthcare professionals through strategic career transitions beyond clinical practice. His journey began during COVID when he dropped out of residency, struggled with an identity crisis, and eventually became VP of Clinical Operations for an AI startup. After raising over $1 million in funding, he built Match Day—a six-month paid fellowship offering personalized coaching, job placement support, and access to a curated network of 600 healthcare leaders. This conversation tackles the harsh realities behind medical training's golden handcuffs. Why do residents tolerate systemic abuse with $300,000+ debt hanging over them? How can healthcare professionals leverage existing skills in non-clinical roles when the system forces them to "basically go to jail" for three to five years? Rami dispels myths about easy career pivots, emphasizing that transitions require thick skin, strategic planning, and facing inevitable rejection. From the broken residency hierarchy to Match Day's structured fellowship model, they explore what it takes to bet on yourself and build a purpose-driven career beyond the bedside. Dr. Rami Wehbi is a physician-turned-entrepreneur who transformed burnout during residency into Match Day Health—a six-month fellowship helping healthcare professionals transition into non-clinical roles. After raising over $1 million in funding, Rami and his team provide personalized coaching, job placement support, and access to a curated network of 600+ healthcare leaders and hiring managers. He also hosts The Dream Job Podcast (formerly Beyond Medicine), sharing stories of career transformation across the healthcare landscape. In This Episode: * (00:00) Dr. Rami Wehbi's journey from burned-out resident to health tech founder * (06:31) The hidden costs of medical training and inevitable career rejection * (11:30) Why residency needs reform: "basically go to jail" for your future * (17:20) Building Match Day from a top 15 podcast to million-dollar fellowship * (22:10) Golden handcuffs: why physician transitions are harder than other clinicians * Share with a dermatology pro you know, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes! About the show: Welcome to Skin Deep, a podcast designed for dermatology professionals. Host Dr. Anna Chacon, a distinguished dermatologist and author, shares her unique experiences and offers valuable insights on the future of dermatology, including telemedicine and teledermatology in reaching underserved communities. Dr. Chacon provides actionable recommendations for dermatology practices, emphasizing compassion, patient education, and staying current with advancements in the field. About the host: Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Indigenous Dermatology, specializes in treating patients in remote and rural communities. As the first dermatologist serving Alaska's Bush region, she travels by bush plane to reach isolated communities. Dr. Chacon holds medical licenses in all 50 states, DC, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing both in-person and teledermatology services. Resources: Match Day Health - https://www.matchday.health/bmg-matchday-health [https://www.matchday.health/bmg-matchday-health] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramiwehbi/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramiwehbi/] The Dream Job Podcast https://www.matchday.health/the-dream-job-podcast [https://www.matchday.health/the-dream-job-podcast] Website: www.drannachacon.com [http://www.drannachacon.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miamiderm [https://www.facebook.com/miamiderm] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamiderm/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamiderm/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miamiderm/ [https://www.instagram.com/miamiderm/] YouTube:https:/www.youtube.com/@miamiderm/podcasts [http://www.youtube.com/@miamiderm/podcasts]