Fight Back
Education Podcasts
“Fight Back” is produced by the non-profit organization Healthcare Consumer Rights Foundation. Each episode takes a look at a pressing current medical issue, often including the story of someone who has been negatively affected by that issue, such as insurance claims denied, not getting the referral to a specialist or medical procedure one needs, an unexpected “out of network” bill, dealing with heart disease, COVID, mental illness, and more. Then we interview a relevant expert who can provide the insights and resources to help solve these kinds of problems while navigating our complex healthcare system.(The information provided on this podcast is for general information only, and is no substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney. Consumers who need legal advice about health care access or insurance should consult a qualified attorney who can provide advice tailored to their particular situations. The views expressed by individuals in these podcasts are their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of the Healthcare Consumer Rights Foundation or the views any other organization or agency with which such individuals are affiliated.)
“Fight Back” is produced by the non-profit organization Healthcare Consumer Rights Foundation. Each episode takes a look at a pressing current medical issue, often including the story of someone who has been negatively affected by that issue, such as insurance claims denied, not getting the referral to a specialist or medical procedure one needs, an unexpected “out of network” bill, dealing with heart disease, COVID, mental illness, and more. Then we interview a relevant expert who can provide the insights and resources to help solve these kinds of problems while navigating our complex healthcare system.(The information provided on this podcast is for general information only, and is no substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney. Consumers who need legal advice about health care access or insurance should consult a qualified attorney who can provide advice tailored to their particular situations. The views expressed by individuals in these podcasts are their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of the Healthcare Consumer Rights Foundation or the views any other organization or agency with which such individuals are affiliated.)
Location:
United States
Genres:
Education Podcasts
Description:
“Fight Back” is produced by the non-profit organization Healthcare Consumer Rights Foundation. Each episode takes a look at a pressing current medical issue, often including the story of someone who has been negatively affected by that issue, such as insurance claims denied, not getting the referral to a specialist or medical procedure one needs, an unexpected “out of network” bill, dealing with heart disease, COVID, mental illness, and more. Then we interview a relevant expert who can provide the insights and resources to help solve these kinds of problems while navigating our complex healthcare system.(The information provided on this podcast is for general information only, and is no substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney. Consumers who need legal advice about health care access or insurance should consult a qualified attorney who can provide advice tailored to their particular situations. The views expressed by individuals in these podcasts are their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of the Healthcare Consumer Rights Foundation or the views any other organization or agency with which such individuals are affiliated.)
Language:
English
Episodes
Minicast: Service Canines And Your Health
7/7/2022
Service animals—especially canines—have proven to be able helpers to those in need. In this Fight Back Minicast episode, Michelle Williams, Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator for Canine Companions, and Stefanie Lund, a volunteer breeder of service canines, discuss the difference between service, therapy, and emotional support dogs and how they can improve their owner’s health, especially veterans.
Duration:00:08:57
Everything You Need to Know About Your Ears, Nose and Throat
6/30/2022
In this Fight Back episode, Dr. Ted Mazer discusses various ear, nose, and throat conditions and disorders. From ringing in the ears, the causes and treatment for hearing loss to the loss of smell, we will cover it and get real-world answers for you.
Dr. Mazer specializes in treating ear, nose, head, throat, and neck disorders. He was named one of the “Top Doctors” in the 2015 San Diego Magazine “Physicians of Exceptional Excellence” and is a former President of the California Medical...
Duration:00:39:52
Minicast: First LIVE Telephone Town Hall: Your COVID Questions Answered!
6/23/2022
On this special Fight Back minicast, we hear a clip from our very first LIVE Telephone Town Hall where we discussed the latest Covid-19 outbreak and the endemic with University of California COVID-19 expert, Dr. Brad Pollock. Hundreds of listeners interacted and asked questions of Dr. Pollack and Healthcare Consumer Rights Executive Director and the host of the Fight Back podcast, Steve Poizner.
Duration:00:05:49
The FightBack! Podcast's First LIVE Telephone Town Hall: Your COVID Questions Answered!
6/16/2022
In this unique Fight Back podcast, we hosted our first LIVE telephone “Town Hall.” Hundreds of Fight Back podcast listeners called in to hear the latest news about the COVID-19 endemic, ask questions and interact with our two moderators: Dr. Brad Pollock and Steve Poizner.
Dr. Brad Pollock hosts a monthly “COVIDCast” on the Fight Back podcast, where he discusses the latest news and information about COVID-19, its variants, treatments, how to stay healthy, and other topics. Dr. Pollock is...
Duration:00:53:15
Minicast: What Do You Do if You've Lost or Can't Afford Health Insurance?
6/9/2022
Health insurance is critical for individuals and families. When you suddenly lose your health insurance because of COVID-19 or any other reason, it can feel overwhelming and difficult to determine where to start and what to do. Fortunately, there are many options available. Jenn Moore, Health Net’s chief commercial officer, joins us to talk about how to navigate this complicated and challenging process.
Duration:00:07:50
Finding the Cause & Beating Childhood Cancer
6/2/2022
In this Fight Back episode, we welcome our special guest, Dr. Brad Pollock, to discuss childhood and young adult cancers. Dr. Pollack is a Distinguished Professor of Epidemiology, Chairman of the Department of Public Health Sciences, and Associate Dean for Public Health Sciences at the University of California (UC) Davis School of Medicine. He is also the Principal Investigator of the Children’s Oncology Group at the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) and a...
Duration:00:45:29
Minicast: How Lifestyle Medicine Can Make the Changes You Need
5/26/2022
Lifestyle Medicine focuses on educating and motivating patients to change personal habits and behaviors by focusing on whole food, plant-predominant diet, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connections.
We discuss this topic with lifestyle medicine expert Dr. Cate Collings, Director of Lifestyle Medicine at El Camino Hospital and President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.
Duration:00:09:59
Medical Bills: How to Budget, Shop, Negotiate and Avoid Surprise Medical Bills
5/19/2022
In this Fight Back episode, Dr. Ted Mazer joins us to talk about how you can make your medical expenses fit into your budget. We discuss the importance of shopping for medical procedures, ways to avoid surprise billing, understanding how in and out of network physicians and procedures affect your final bill, how to negotiate hospital bills and more.
Dr. Mazer is a former President of the California Medical Association. In 2015, San Diego County Medical Society named him one of the county’s...
Duration:00:41:46
Minicast: When Should You Get an Advanced Healthcare Directive?
5/11/2022
In this Fight Back Minicast, we cover the critically important topic of advanced healthcare directives, a legal document that addresses such end-of-life issues as “do not resuscitate” orders, treatment options, healthcare proxies, and more.
Duration:00:08:45
COVID-19 Update: May 2022
5/4/2022
Do you need a second COVID vaccine booster shot? Are the home rapid tests able to detect the newest variants? What's the latest data regarding long COVID? Dr. Pollock joins us for our monthly COVIDcast to answer these questions. He also talks about vaccine availability in third world countries, and how other countries are currently struggling with COVID outbreaks.
Duration:00:27:41
Minicast: Fight Back on your Medical Bills: You Can Negotiate!
4/26/2022
This minicast discusses whether it is possible to negotiate your medical bills with the hospital and what that means for you and your bottom line. (Hint: You have options.) Our special guest Allan Fox, a former hospital CFO, offers his unique insights on the topic.
Duration:00:13:06
The Next Part of the Pandemic: Long Covid
4/20/2022
Most people with COVID-19 don’t become severely ill and will often get better within weeks of falling sick. By staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccine, including a booster dose, you can lower the odds of a severe illness and the risk of hospitalization. However, even a mild COVID infection can cause what doctors and researchers call “long COVID.”
Long COVID is a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people may experience more than four weeks after being first...
Duration:00:28:02
Minicast: Medical Marijuana - Questions Answered
4/13/2022
Many states in recent years have legalized the use of cannabis as a treatment for various medical conditions. We welcome our special guest, Sally Brammell, Senior Corporate Counsel at PAX Labs, a cannabis vaporizer company. She is also a parent of a young adult son who is developmentally disabled by a rare pediatric epilepsy syndrome. Although his seizures are resistant to most medications, they have been well-controlled for the past seven years with medical cannabis. We discuss with Ms....
Duration:00:11:43
COVID-19 Update: April 2022
4/5/2022
Do you need a fourth COVID vaccine booster shot? Will we need annual COVID vaccine shots, just like shots for the flu? Dr. Pollock joins us for our monthly COVID update to answer these questions. He also talks about the possibility of new variants, the importance of strengthening the global network of laboratory surveillance to detect such strains, and how wastewater monitoring has proven helpful in tracking COVID.
Duration:00:27:41
Minicast: The Importance of Knowing your Pharmacist
3/31/2022
Debby Johnson, a third-generation pharmacist and former President of the California Pharmacist Association, gives us a peek into the world of a pharmacist.
She explains the important role pharmacists play as they interact with patients, how computer technology has become an indispensable tool and offers advice when insurance companies deny coverage for prescription drugs.
Click here to listen to the complete “Pharmacy 101” podcast.
Duration:00:06:50
Minicast: The Challenge & Benefits of Stopping Smoking
3/23/2022
Despite tremendous progress, smoking is still a leading cause of death from lung cancer and a significant contributor to heart disease. Our special guest, Erica Costa, discusses how to quit smoking. Erica is the Director of Advocacy for Tobacco Control in California for the American Lung Association.
In this special Minicast, Ms. Costa talks about how fast your body heals the moment you quit smoking, are vapes good for you, and the first steps to take to quit smoking.
Duration:00:07:34
Service Animals: How They Can Help Improve Your Health
3/15/2022
For many years, service animals—especially canines—have helped those with various disabilities. But did you know that such service animals can do so much more? Amazingly they can:
In this Fight Back episode, Michelle Williams, Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator for Canine Companions, and Stefanie Lund, a volunteer breeder of service canines, explore why service animals are man’s best friends. From the breeding and training of canine companions to the laws governing their...
Duration:00:35:46
Minicast: Can you use food to prevent and treat disease?
3/8/2022
Today, we talk with Michele Lew, Chief Executive Officer of the Health Trust. Michele explains how to use food to prevent and treat diseases such as diabetes.
Duration:00:06:28
COVID-19 Update: March 2022
3/1/2022
In our March COVID Update episode, Dr. Pollack joins us to talk about the origins, definitions, and differences of an epidemic, pandemic, and endemic. We also discuss when the COVID pandemic could become endemic, the state of COVID variants, and the potential for more “variants of concern.” We even talk about the unseemly yet important (and interesting!) topic of how wastewater and sewage treatment plants are an essential tool in tracking COVID.
Each month, Dr. Brad Pollock from UC Davis...
Duration:00:32:10
Minicast: What are the Latest Innovations in Treating Heart Disease?
2/22/2022
Dr. Laith Alshawabkeh, a board-certified cardiologist, discusses the latest advancements in the treatment of heart disease, specifically valve replacements and stents.
Dr. Alshawabkeh specializes in caring for adults with congenital heart disease, an abnormality in the heart present at birth. He leads the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program at UC San Diego.
Click here to listen to the full “Cardiovascular Disease” podcast.
Duration:00:08:40