FHC #84: ChenMed brothers feel ‘moral imperative’ to give seniors affordable, VIP care

About 15 years ago, Dr. James Chen, a Taiwanese immigrant, was diagnosed with cancer. Throughout his treatment, he experienced the kind of fragmented, low-tech care that too many Americans accept as normal. After his recovery, Chen set out to create a new, better primary care system.

Today, his sons Christopher and Gordon Chen carry forth their father’s mission, providing underserved patients (primarily low-income seniors managing multiple chronic conditions) with a level of concierge-style care typically reserved for the wealthy. Chris, now CEO, and his brother Gordon, Chief Medical Officer, now  oversee than 100 medical centers in 15 states.

This is season eight of Fixing Healthcare, which focuses on how leadership can drive transformative improvements in medicine. In this episode, the Chen brothers discuss the future of primary care, the role Medicare Advantage (and capitation) will play, and how their leadership philosophy honors the example set by their father.

HELPFUL LINKS

• Humana, ChenMed ink 5-year (Medicare Advantage) deal (Becker’s)
• Lessons on disrupting primary care (RobertPearlMD.com)
• Managing the most expensive patients (Harvard Business Review)
• The ChenMed channel (YouTube)

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Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of a book about medicine’s invisible yet highly influential physician culture. Check out “Uncaring: How Physician Culture Is Killing Doctors & Patients.” All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post FHC #84: ChenMed brothers feel ‘moral imperative’ to give seniors affordable, VIP care appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.