Podnosis

Transitions of care—moving patients from one care site to another—continue to be a major challenge in healthcare. Nearly 1 in 5 Medicare patients discharged from a hospital—approximately 2.6 million seniors—are readmitted within 30 days, at a cost of more than $26 billion every year, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Salman Ali, CEO and co-founder of Kouper, saw opportunities to take a tech-based approach to care transitions, using generative AI to ensure patients don’t fall through the cracks after hospital discharge. As executive-in-residence at venture capital group General Catalyst, Stephen Klasko, M.D., has a front-row seat to the latest innovations in AI. And as former CEO of Jefferson Health in Philadelphia, Klasko understands the value of using technology to tackle operational pain points at health systems. In this episode of “Podnosis,” Ali and Klasko dig into Kouper’s approach to improving care transitions and why they see AI at a true inflection point. They talk about how hospitals can deploy AI without adding to staff burden and why trust matters more than technology in winning over health system leaders. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Kouper is tackling transitions of care armed with $10M from General Catalyst, 25Madison and CVS' venture arm Ohio attorney general approves sale of Summa Health to General Catalyst's HATCo, with some conditions Commure raises $200M in growth financing from General Catalyst See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first half of 2025 was decidedly mixed for many publicly traded healthcare companies, and they’re facing murky waters in the back half of the year amid policy and cost upheaval.  In this episode of "Podnosis," Fierce Healthcare Associate Editor Dave Muoio and Senior Writer Paige Minemyer break down the topline takeaways from another round of corporate earnings calls, including a look at executive commentary on the “big, beautiful” policy environment.  To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Elevated Medicare Advantage, ACA marketplace costs sting insurers in mixed Q2 HCA Healthcare raises 2025 guidance on strong Q2, says Medicaid changes should be 'manageable' UnitedHealthcare to exit certain Medicare Advantage markets as costs balloon, impacting 600K enrollees Community Health Systems attributes Q2 volume stumble to low consumer confidence, immigration fears Oscar Health misses estimates in Q2, plans layoffs and inks Hy-Vee-branded ICHRA plan Aetna turnaround is a 'top priority' at CVS Health, CEO says, as Wall Street buoyed by insurance unit's rebound With buyouts looming, Humana improves outlook as revenue beats estimates in Q2 Cost pressures limit Molina Healthcare during Q2 earnings as stock dips Ardent Health has no qualms about losing exchange volumes, execs say Cigna's solid Q2 results boosted by Evernorth revenue growth, limited exposure to elevated medical costs Universal Health Services addresses behavioral volume slip by targeting outpatient, downplays Medicaid cuts Elevance Health CEO Gail Boudreaux says company taking 'concrete steps' to address cost pressures Tenet Healthcare raises 2025 outlook on Q2 overperformance; concerns linger over ACA subsidies, slowed admissions Centene slashes 2025 guidance as it navigates ACA marketplace headwinds 'Humming on all cylinders': Alignment Healthcare CEO inks profit milestone, eyes growth See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Research shows that women impacted by domestic abuse are significantly more likely to experience chronic health conditions. Survivors often live with untreated pain, anxiety and fear—and many never disclose their experiences to a healthcare provider. At Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital in Chicago, a new pilot program is rethinking how care teams engage survivors of gender-based violence. The initiative aims to improve how clinicians identify, respond to, and connect patients with trauma-informed care and critical resources. Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya talks to Mariá Wilburn, a certified crisis counselor and manager of the Pathways Program at Endeavor Health, about the unique approach and why it’s important.  To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Some sexual assault survivors face huge hospital bills if they seek emergency care Half of women skip or delay care due to 'triple threat' of factors, report finds Unique generational mental health needs highlight demand for personalized care, survey finds See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Stefanizzi, CEO of Northwell Direct, dives into the innovative world of direct contracting in healthcare. He reveals how this approach allows employers to partner directly with care providers, streamlining costs and improving employee care. The discussion highlights the shift towards tailored healthcare solutions, particularly in behavioral health, catalyzed by the pandemic. Stefanizzi also addresses the importance of collaboration in the competitive healthcare landscape and shares insights on the future of employer-sponsored healthcare, emphasizing direct partnerships for better care management.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 35 million Americans, and up to 9 in 10 adults with the condition don’t know they have it. Often called a “silent killer,” CKD is typically diagnosed in later stages, when treatment becomes more complex and costly. In this episode, Fierce Healthcare Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks with Carney Taylor, M.D., associate chief medical officer at Interwell Health, about why CKD is ripe for value-based care, how early interventions can improve outcomes, and what it takes to shift kidney care upstream. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  CMMI to cut participation in payment models, estimates $750M in savings Humana finds value-based care leads to fewer hospital admissions for kidney patients Humana cuts 13-state kidney disease management deal with Interwell Health Interwell Health finalizes $2.4B kidney care merger to combine tech, value-based care capabilities See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new medical school in Arkansas has welcomed its first-ever class. The Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM), founded by Walmart heir Alice Walton in 2021, is built on the principles of whole health. The curriculum values the arts and business as much as clinical work and research, with a goal of bringing empathy back to medicine. In this episode of "Podnosis," Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks with AWSOM CEO and founding dean Sharmila Makhija, M.D., about what makes the school unique, the partnerships already underway and the long-term vision for strengthening the clinical workforce in Arkansas. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Walmart heir's nonprofit to start new integrative medical school in Arkansas Mercy, Alice Walton philanthropies unveil $700M specialty care affiliation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Employers are facing rising healthcare costs, and specialty care remains among the most expensive. For self-funded employers, even a few employees with chronic conditions can significantly drive up spending. That makes access to high-quality care especially important. Carrum Health partners with employers through a value-based network of specialty care providers. In this episode of "Podnosis," Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks with Christoph Dankert, Carrum’s chief network officer, about trends in the market, employer bargaining power and why value-based payment models are key to improving care. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Carrum Health marks major expansion of Centers of Excellence network, specialty care service lines Carrum Health offers value-based treatment model for substance use disorders Industry Voices—Healthcare disruption is here and employers are driving it UnitedHealth, HAC study examines how obesity is impacting employer health costs See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a sponsored episode of Podnosis, Fierce Healthcare’s Chris Hayden speaks with Chris Johnson, co-CEO of TeleTracking, and Jeremy David, co-head of healthcare at Palantir, about a new partnership aimed at modernizing hospital operations. The collaboration combines TeleTracking’s patient flow and capacity management expertise with Palantir’s artificial intelligence and data analytics tools. The goal: help health systems make faster, smarter decisions, reduce inefficiencies, and improve access to care—all while reducing costs. The conversation highlights how the joint platform is designed to address mounting operational pressures, from staff shortages to extended wait times. Unlike traditional tech solutions, the companies say their approach centers on real-time, AI-driven workflows that adapt to evolving hospital needs. Instead of long-term roadmaps, they’re focused on delivering measurable results within months. To hear more about how the two companies plan to transform healthcare operations, listen to the full episode of Podnosis, available now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A growing number of healthcare stakeholders are recognizing the importance of whole-person care, which addresses both physical and mental health. Affordability is often the first hurdle. But beyond that, what does it really take to improve mental healthcare? In this episode of "Podnosis," Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya sits down with Jennifer Meyer, president of commercial and consumer business at SonderMind, a national mental health provider offering both virtual and in-person therapy and psychiatry, to discuss where the field is headed and how providers can help move it forward. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  SonderMind expands telemental health to New York, Michigan, now in all 50 states Intermountain to use NeuroFlow tech to support integrated behavioral health in primary care Survey: Opportunities for tech investments in behavioral health Grow Therapy launches care coordination program to streamline referrals to higher levels of care See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amar Kendale, President of Homeward Health, and Punit Soni, CEO of Suki, discuss the transformative potential of AI in rural healthcare. They highlight the unique opportunities for rural providers to leapfrog outdated tech amidst challenges like staffing shortages and budget constraints. Kendale emphasizes strategies for addressing healthcare disparities, while Soni shares practical insights on adopting AI tools in resource-limited settings. Their conversation reveals how AI could enhance access and patient outcomes while fostering collaboration and innovation in struggling communities.