Former Pharma Rep Breaks Down How Your Insurance Is Overcharging You + Keeping You Sick | Brigham Buhler
Oct 29, 2024
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Brigham Buhler, a former pharmaceutical rep and founder of Ways2Well, exposes the dark underbelly of the healthcare system in America. He discusses how insurance companies manipulate deductibles and copays, leaving patients vulnerable. Brigham highlights the rising costs of essential medications like insulin and critiques the role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers. His insights on navigating the convoluted healthcare landscape empower listeners to protect their wallets and well-being amidst rampant corruption.
The podcast reveals how big insurance companies profit from chronic illnesses by manipulating costs and prioritizing profits over patient health.
Brigham Buhler discusses the crucial role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers, highlighting how they influence drug pricing and limit patient access to necessary medications.
The conversation stresses the need for transparency in healthcare billing to prevent patients from overspending due to opaque practices and inflated charges.
Emphasizing preventive health, the podcast advocates for lifestyle changes and early interventions as essential strategies to combat chronic diseases and reduce healthcare costs.
Deep dives
The American Healthcare Crisis
The podcast highlights the dire state of the American healthcare system, emphasizing that individuals consuming the average American diet are at high risk for typical diseases. The speaker discusses significant issues stemming from a system dominated by big food, big pharma, and particularly big insurance, which profits from chronic illnesses rather than promoting wellness. With primary care physicians often spending only six minutes per patient, many are unable to address deep-rooted health issues effectively. The discussion underscores the need for systemic change to prevent the deterioration of public health.
Corruption in Insurance Companies
The conversation addresses the pervasive corruption within insurance companies, arguing that these entities benefit financially from keeping individuals in a cycle of chronic disease. Insurance policies often set up hurdles for patients to receive necessary treatments, thus delaying adequate care until significant health issues arise. The speaker outlines a scenario where insurance companies prioritize profits over patient health, manipulating costs and reimbursements in ways that leave consumers to bear the financial burden. This creates a troubling environment, where financial motives overshadow the fundamental goal of patient care.
The Complexity of Deductibles and Costs
Complexities surrounding health insurance deductibles are examined, exposing how patients often inadvertently overspend due to opaque billing practices by healthcare providers. The podcast explains that insurance companies frequently inflate charges, forcing patients into difficult financial situations where they owe more than necessary for treatments. This system leads to a situation where patients often avoid seeking care due to fear of astronomical bills, which contributes to worsening health outcomes across the population. The discussion focuses on the urgent need for transparency and reform in healthcare billing.
The Role of Pharmaceutical Benefit Managers
Pharmaceutical Benefit Managers (PBMs) play a crucial role in the healthcare landscape, influencing drug pricing and patient access to medications. The podcast reveals how PBMs, rather than acting as patient advocates, often prioritize gaining rebates from drug manufacturers. This creates a situation where drug companies might raise prices for medications, knowing they will share a portion of the profits with PBMs. The discussion brings to light how this system dissuades patients from pursuing necessary medications, as they are trapped between soaring costs while trying to attain necessary treatments.
Preventive Health as a Solution
The podcast stresses the importance of shifting focus towards preventive health measures in order to combat the current health crisis. By prioritizing early intervention and proactive healthcare, individuals can avoid the development of chronic diseases and associated costs. Integrative approaches that include comprehensive nutrition, regular exercise, and routine health screenings are emphasized as essential practices for preserving long-term health. The conversation emphasizes that investing in preventive health care could lead to reduced healthcare costs and improved individual well-being.
Empowerment Through Knowledge
The discussion advocates for increased education and awareness surrounding healthcare options as a means of empowering individuals to take control of their health. By better understanding how the healthcare system operates, patients can make informed choices that prioritize their well-being and circumvent manipulative practices. The podcast encourages listeners to seek providers who offer transparency and a collaborative approach to health decisions. This empowerment is portrayed as a critical step toward dismantling the corrupt systems currently in place.
Community and the Future of Healthcare
Lastly, the conversation highlights the importance of building community-focused healthcare systems that prioritize patient well-being over profits. The podcast asserts that collaborative efforts and public awareness can drive significant change in how healthcare is delivered and accessed. Engaging with healthcare on a community level could help create resilient systems that support individuals in maintaining their health. The hope is expressed that through a united front, systemic changes can be made to ensure better health outcomes.
EP. 219 Welcome back to the Realfoodology podcast! In today’s episode, live from Austin, I’m thrilled to have Brigham Buhler, a guest I’ve been eager to feature since hearing him on Joe Rogan’s podcast. This conversation explores the shocking world of big insurance and the insidious corruption behind healthcare in America. Brigham unveils how deductibles and copays work, revealing the ways in which consumers are often left in the dark and underserved. It’s an eye-opening discussion that may be dark at times, but it equips you with the knowledge to navigate the system and avoid its traps. Tune in to discover how to protect yourself and your health in a broken system!
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:06:26 - Brigham on Joe Rogan
00:08:30 - Why You Can’t Get Bloodwork
00:11:44 - Pharmacy Benefit Managers
00:15:11 - Co-pays and Ozempic
00:17:17 - Pharmacies and the Gag Clause
00:24:22 - Medicare and Big Insurance
00:27:44 - The Rising Cost of Insulin
00:29:34 - Compounding Pharmacies
00:32:05 - Monsanto and Bayer Pharmaceuticals
00:33:27 - Being a Pharmaceutical Rep
00:37:31 - Drug Recalls and Surgery
00:38:51 - Medical Equipment Regulation
00:45:27 - High Medical Bills
00:47:37 - Out-of-Network Billing
00:51:17 - Fluctuating Medication Prices
00:53:24 - Big Pharma Buying All Pharmacies
00:57:33 - Understanding Deductibles
01:00:59 - Brigham’s Compounding Pharmacy
01:03:31 - Rise in Chronic Diseases
01:06:01 - Ways2Well
01:07:52 - Understanding True Longevity
01:14:40 - You Don’t Want to End Up in a Broken System
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