From Errors to Empowerment: How Kimberly Carlson is Saving Millions by Fixing Broken Healthcare Billing

Welcome to the first guest episode of the newly rebranded Dysrupt Healthcare Podcast, hosted by Lester J. Morales.
Formerly known as Impact Healthcare, this show has evolved with a clear mission to remember the WHY behind disrupting healthcare.

In this episode, Lester sits down with Kimberly Carlson, CEO and founder of US Beacon, a company transforming how medical billing integrity is handled in America. Kimberly shares her powerful story — from advocating for her husband during his battle with stage IV cancer to building a company that helps employers and patients uncover costly billing errors that most people never even notice.

They expose shocking facts about the system — like why over 90% of medical bills contain errors, how self-funded employers can save millions, and why independent claim reviews are the hidden key to fixing a broken healthcare system.

Whether you're an employer, advisor, or healthcare professional, this episode will change how you see medical billing, fiduciary responsibility, and the real cost of care in America.

🔹 Learn how to protect your organization from overpayments
🔹 Discover what “Disrupt with a Y” really means
🔹 Get practical insights from real case studies saving millions

Hosted by Lester J. Morales, Dysrupt Healthcare (yes, spelled with a “Y” on purpose) highlights the WHY behind fixing a broken system. Each episode shares stories of leaders, innovators, and disruptors making healthcare more human, transparent, and affordable.

00:00 – Attention: This podcast has been disrupted
00:10 – From Impact Healthcare to Dysrupt Healthcare: the WHY behind the rebrand
00:46 – Meet Kimberly Carlson, CEO of US Beacon
03:04 – The personal story that started US Beacon
03:48 – 99% of medical claims have errors — why it happens
06:14 – Understanding medical coding and billing complexity
08:16 – The mechanic analogy: bundling vs. unbundling in healthcare
10:30 – Patients’ right to request an itemized bill
12:20 – Why every consumer should care about billing errors
13:43 – How billing errors drive up premiums
14:43 – Real-world example: $12,000 a night for a semi-private room
15:43 – Self-insured vs. fully insured: who’s responsible?
17:17 – Fiduciary risk and why employers should audit claims
18:20 – $5.5 million in savings: real case results
20:16 – “Fox guarding the henhouse”: when carriers audit themselves
21:44 – Why independent audits matter
22:45 – Contracts, RFPs, and clauses that protect employers
26:00 – Billing under CMS guidelines and avoiding illegal charges
28:10 – How one surgery led to $70,000 in avoidable costs
30:13 – Healthcare billing = buying a car without knowing the price
31:38 – City government case study: recovering taxpayer money
33:11 – Why you need an independent TPA
34:39 – The human side: the system isn’t evil, just broken
35:26 – The role of AI and automation in claims integrity
36:45 – US Beacon’s 1% appeal rate and what makes them different
37:00 – The meaning behind “US Beacon” and being a light in darkness
37:41 – Final thoughts and call to action

Guest: Kimberly Carlson – CEO, US Beacon
LinkedIn: Kimberly Carlson

Host: Lester J. Morales
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