Why is Healthcare SO Expensive?

Navigating Cash Pay Healthcare with Lyn Carter

In this episode of Next-Gen Healthcare, Larry welcomes special guest Lyn Carter, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Tendo Corporation. They dive into the frequently asked questions about finding affordable healthcare options, including cash pay providers for doctor visits, imaging, and lab work. Lynn also explains the role of MDsave and how it simplifies the process for consumers seeking transparent pricing and bundled medical services. Chapters:  00:49 Introduction to Lyn Carter  01:41 Cash Pay Services  02:35 What is MDsave?  05:58 Price Transparency  08:14 Service Limits  12:04 Lyric Health’s Role  15:37 Transitioning to Cash Pay Model  17:18 Final Thoughts    Resources and links mentioned in this episode can be found here [https://optimaltelehealth.com/ep-15-navigating-cash-pay-healthcare-with-lyn-carter/].  About Lyn: Lyn Carter brings over 15 years of experience in population health management, contracting, process improvement, consulting, and new business development. She has worked with diverse stakeholders and partners to improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs for communities. Passionate about applying a medical anthropology perspective to healthcare, Lyn believes in understanding the relationships between humans, their afflictions, healthcare teams, and societies. She holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Michigan State University, where she focused on healthcare administration and policy. She is particularly interested in systemic and interdependent healthcare issues, including payment reform, systems disruption, and preventive health. Lyn's personal mantra is: Grit, Strategy, and Compassion—values she uses to drive meaningful change in healthcare. About the Host:  Larry Stout is the CEO of Optimal teleHealth, LLC, driven by his passion for improving the health of Americans through advanced telehealth services and medical cost-sharing. Despite the United States having the largest and most advanced economy globally, the health of its citizens often does not reflect the resources available. Larry's mission is to bridge this gap by making high-quality healthcare accessible and affordable for everyone. Larry began his career as a successful sales executive at a large international computer services corporation. In 2004, he left the corporate world to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams, focusing on small business development and franchising. Over the years, he has come to view entrepreneurship as a powerful engine for social good. This belief drives the innovation and commitment to service at Optimal teleHealth. Larry's dedication to improving Americans' health through telehealth and medical cost-sharing solutions and his extensive experience in business development make him an invaluable resource and an inspiring leader in the  industry.   JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: https://optimaltelehealth.com/schedule-a-consultation/   Follow Us: Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimal-telehealth/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558617901453] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/optimaltelehealth/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@OptimalteleHealth] Presented by Optimal teleHealth

Healthcare Reform with Sonja Allen

In this episode of Next-gen Healthcare, we dive deep into what host Larry calls the "sickness business"—the industry built around Americans getting sick. The conversation explores the flaws in the healthcare system, its financial incentives, and what patients can do to protect themselves. Our special guest, Sonja Allen, joins us to discuss the legacy of her late husband, Marshall Allen, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and investigative journalist known for his work exposing the pitfalls of the health care industry. We discuss Marshall’s book, Never Pay the First Bill and Other Ways to Fight the Health Care System and Win, and how his work continues to empower individuals against unfair medical practices. Chapters:  00:49 Why the healthcare system profits from sickness.  02:18 Never Pay the First Bill and the impact of Marshall Allen’s work.  05:43 Marshall’s motivations and his legacy.  09:34 Never Pay the First Bill Structure  14:33 The role of insurance companies and why upcoding is a widespread problem.  19:41 The hidden incentives behind higher medical costs and how they affect consumers.  21:25 The launch of the Allen Health Academy and its mission.  24:03 Upcoming nonprofit initiatives aimed at healthcare education.  26:47 Final thoughts and call to action for listeners. About the Host:  Larry Stout is the CEO of Optimal teleHealth, LLC, driven by his passion for improving the health of Americans through advanced telehealth services and medical cost-sharing. Despite the United States having the largest and most advanced economy globally, the health of its citizens often does not reflect the resources available. Larry's mission is to bridge this gap by making high-quality healthcare accessible and affordable for everyone. Larry began his career as a successful sales executive at a large international computer services corporation. In 2004, he left the corporate world to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams, focusing on small business development and franchising. Over the years, he has come to view entrepreneurship as a powerful engine for social good. This belief drives the innovation and commitment to service at Optimal teleHealth. Larry's dedication to improving Americans' health through telehealth and medical cost-sharing solutions and his extensive experience in business development make him an invaluable resource and an inspiring leader in the  industry.   JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: https://optimaltelehealth.com/schedule-a-consultation/   Follow Us: Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimal-telehealth/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558617901453] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/optimaltelehealth/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@OptimalteleHealth] Presented by Optimal teleHealth

Why is Healthcare SO Expensive?

In this episode, Larry, host of NextGen Healthcare Podcast, dives into why healthcare has become so expensive. We explore hidden costs, insurance industry practices, and actionable solutions, including alternative healthcare options, such as medical cost-sharing, and telehealth. If you missed our last episode with Wayne Orchard of Lyric Health, be sure to check it out to understand the evolution of virtual healthcare!  Show Notes & Resources Can Be Found:  Chapters:  00:26 – Introduction  01:23 – Why Healthcare Costs Are So High  02:32 – Transparency in Healthcare Pricing  03:29 – Healthcare Inflation Statistics  05:20 – Impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)  08:05 – The Hidden Costs of "Affordable" Insurance  10:48 – The Practice of Upcoding  14:23 – Insurance Administrative Costs  16:32 – Complexity of U.S. Healthcare Systems  17:47 – Skyrocketing Drug Prices  18:43 – Profit-Driven Hospitals (To be expanded in future episodes)    About the Host:  Larry Stout is the CEO of Optimal teleHealth, LLC, driven by his passion for improving the health of Americans through advanced telehealth services and medical cost-sharing. Despite the United States having the largest and most advanced economy globally, the health of its citizens often does not reflect the resources available. Larry's mission is to bridge this gap by making high-quality healthcare accessible and affordable for everyone. Larry began his career as a successful sales executive at a large international computer services corporation. In 2004, he left the corporate world to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams, focusing on small business development and franchising. Over the years, he has come to view entrepreneurship as a powerful engine for social good. This belief drives the innovation and commitment to service at Optimal teleHealth. Larry's dedication to improving Americans' health through telehealth and medical cost-sharing solutions and his extensive experience in business development make him an invaluable resource and an inspiring leader in the  industry.   JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: https://optimaltelehealth.com/schedule-a-consultation/   Follow Us: Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimal-telehealth/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558617901453] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/optimaltelehealth/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@OptimalteleHealth] Presented by Optimal teleHealth

Part 3: The Evolution of Telehealth: A Conversation with Wayne Orchard of Lyric Health

In this episode, we explore the fascinating evolution of telehealth, tracing its roots back over 150 years and uncovering how it has transformed into a vital consumer product over the last decade. Host Larry is joined by Wayne Orchard, Executive Vice President and Partner at Lyric Health (formerly MyTelemedicine), one of the leaders in telehealth and virtual care innovation. Wayne shares insights from his extensive experience in the telehealth industry, including his partnership with early pioneers like Teladoc, the impact of regulations, and how technology has paved the way for more accessible and comprehensive virtual healthcare services. From urgent care to behavioral health and chronic condition management, Wayne discusses the challenges and opportunities that have shaped telehealth's journey—especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated public awareness and adoption. Find show notes and resources referenced at: https://optimaltelehealth.com/ep-12-part-3-the-evolution-of-telehealth-a-conversation-with-wayne-orchard-of-lyric-health/ [https://optimaltelehealth.com/ep-12-part-3-the-evolution-of-telehealth-a-conversation-with-wayne-orchard-of-lyric-health/] About the Host:  Larry Stout is the CEO of Optimal teleHealth, LLC, driven by his passion for improving the health of Americans through advanced telehealth services and medical cost-sharing. Despite the United States having the largest and most advanced economy globally, the health of its citizens often does not reflect the resources available. Larry's mission is to bridge this gap by making high-quality healthcare accessible and affordable for everyone. Larry began his career as a successful sales executive at a large international computer services corporation. In 2004, he left the corporate world to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams, focusing on small business development and franchising. Over the years, he has come to view entrepreneurship as a powerful engine for social good. This belief drives the innovation and commitment to service at Optimal teleHealth. Larry's dedication to improving Americans' health through telehealth and medical cost-sharing solutions and his extensive experience in business development make him an invaluable resource and an inspiring leader in the  industry.   JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: https://optimaltelehealth.com/schedule-a-consultation/   Follow Us: Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimal-telehealth/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558617901453] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/optimaltelehealth/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@OptimalteleHealth] Presented by Optimal teleHealth

Part 2: The Evolution of #Telehealth: A Conversation with Wayne Orchard of Lyric Health

Welcome to Part 2 of our exploration into the ever-evolving world of telehealth. In this episode, host Larry, continues his in-depth discussion with Wayne Orchard, Executive Vice President and Partner at Lyric Health (formerly MyTelemedicine), to uncover how telemedicine is revolutionizing healthcare access and delivery. Wayne shares insights from his extensive experience in the telehealth industry, including his partnership with early pioneers like Teladoc, the impact of regulations, and how technology has paved the way for more accessible and comprehensive virtual healthcare services. From urgent care to behavioral health and chronic condition management, Wayne discusses the challenges and opportunities that have shaped telehealth's journey—especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated public awareness and adoption. Learn more about how virtual healthcare is evolving the healthcare industry: https://optimaltelehealth.com/virtual-healthcare-what-is-it-how-it-works-and-benefits-for-family-care/ [https://optimaltelehealth.com/virtual-healthcare-what-is-it-how-it-works-and-benefits-for-family-care/] Learn more about this episode and our show: https://optimaltelehealth.com/part-2-the-evolution-of-telehealth-a-conversation-with-wayne-orchard-of-lyric-health/ [https://optimaltelehealth.com/part-2-the-evolution-of-telehealth-a-conversation-with-wayne-orchard-of-lyric-health/] Chapters 00:49 Diving into Part 2 with Wayne Orchard 01:12 Care Teams: Evolving to Meet Patient Needs 02:38 MDsave and Affordable Care 07:24 Integrating Care into Electronic Medical Records 09:03 Recognitions from J.D. Power 14:11 A Culture of Excellence 15:19 Innovations on the Horizon 26:06 Urgent Care vs. Virtual Primary Care   Resources Mentioned: Optimal teleHealth: https://optimaltelehealth.com/about/ [https://optimaltelehealth.com/about/] Lyric Health: https://getlyric.com/ [https://getlyric.com/]   About Wayne: With over 25 years of progressive leadership experience in the healthcare industry, Wayne serves as a Partner and Executive Vice President at Lyric Health, the servicing entity for MyTelemedicine, Inc., which provides comprehensive head-to-toe virtual care solutions. Wayne is passionate about transforming the economic equation of care by introducing innovative ways to connect patients, providers, payers, and employers through telemedicine services and technology. Since joining Lyric Health in 2015, Wayne has led the company to dynamic year-over-year growth, now delivering virtual care to over 5 million members through thousands of clients. Under Wayne's leadership, the company has received accolades from Entrepreneur Magazine, Investopedia, Inc. 500, JD Power, and other esteemed organizations for its excellence in customer satisfaction, innovation, and impact. Wayne has also played a pivotal role in establishing and managing strategic partnerships with national and regional vendors, clients, and stakeholders. With expertise in sales, negotiation, client management, and product development, Wayne is a resourceful and customer-focused leader who excels at empowering and developing teams to deliver exceptional results. About the Host:  Larry Stout is the CEO of Optimal teleHealth, LLC, driven by his passion for improving the health of Americans through advanced telehealth services and medical cost-sharing. Despite the United States having the largest and most advanced economy globally, the health of its citizens often does not reflect the resources available. Larry's mission is to bridge this gap by making high-quality healthcare accessible and affordable for everyone. Larry began his career as a successful sales executive at a large international computer services corporation. In 2004, he left the corporate world to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams, focusing on small business development and franchising. Over the years, he has come to view entrepreneurship as a powerful engine for social good. This belief drives the innovation and commitment to service at Optimal teleHealth. Larry's dedication to improving Americans' health through telehealth and medical cost-sharing solutions and his extensive experience in business development make him an invaluable resource and an inspiring leader in the  industry.   JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: https://optimaltelehealth.com/schedule-a-consultation/   Follow Us: Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimal-telehealth/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558617901453] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/optimaltelehealth/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@OptimalteleHealth] Presented by Optimal teleHealth