Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum Strategies

Join Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley as they break down the latest in healthcare costs during the ongoing government shutdown. In this episode, they explore four GOP-backed compromise solutions and what they mean for consumers, while analyzing why fully insured plan premiums are projected to rise by 11%. Stay informed on healthcare trends, policy updates, and practical insights for navigating rising insurance costs. Articles mentioned in this program: US Health Insurers Face Rising Uncertainty from ACA Subsidy Expiration - Fitch Ratings 4 GOP ideas for an Obamacare subsidies compromise - POLITICO How much and why premiums are going up for small businesses in 2026 - Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker Listen wherever you get your podcast or watch us on Substack and YouTube. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

The US Senate could not agree on a budget and as a result, the government has entered a partial shutdown. We’ll talk about what healthcare spending will continue and what problems may arise at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Plus: What are those Affordable Care Act subsidies that Democrats are so concerned about? Listen wherever you get your podcast or watch us on Substack and YouTube. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

Fulcrum Strategies President and CEO Ron Howrigon breaks down the problems with the "Make America Healthy Again" (or MAHA) movement. It's not that the goals and sentiment aren't good; it's that the process is extremely flawed. Listen wherever you get your podcast or watch us on Substack and YouTube. Learn more about what Fulcrum Strategies can do for your practice at FSDOC.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley are back with healthcare analysis and discussion on Inside Healthcare from Fulcrum Strategies. In this episode, Ron and Matthew discuss claims by current Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. that there are no impending cuts to Medicaid and what physicians are really facing as a result of the Big Beautiful Bill. They also discuss the sudden change to Medicaid reimbursement in North Carolina. Listen wherever you get your podcast or watch us on Substack and YouTube. LIVE STOCK PRICES: UnitedHealth Group: $UNH Elevance: $ELV CVS: $CVS Cigna: $CI Humana: $HUM Molina: $MOH Learn more about what Fulcrum Strategies can do for your practice at FSDOC.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

This week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Matthew Handley and Ron Howrigon discuss the life of the late Dr. Dan Hurley with his wife Dr. Traci Hurley, his sister Christine, and his brother Tom. They shared memories of his life and why he fought so hard for transparency in our healthcare system. Matthew and Ron spoke to Dr. Hurley last year on the FLATLINING Podcast after he was diagnosed with dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma and his insurance company had denied payment for radiology scans that would have aided his treatment. -- Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to podcasts and have every episode delivered to your email by subscribing at www.FLATLINING.net. -- Dan Hurley, M.D. Endowment Fund - CS Foundation The Story of Dr. Dan Hurley - Ron Howrigon at FLATLINING.net CLICK HERE to listen to our original conversation with Dr. Hurley -- Subscribe to the FLATLINING Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the iHeartRadio app, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pandora, TuneIn, and Audible. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

On the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies this week, Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley a recent PBS News report on the shortage of pediatric physicians. Is the mainstream media finally seeing what patients have been experiencing for years? How do we ensure that we will have enough doctors to take care of us in the future? --- Articles mentioned in this program: The causes and consequences of a decline in doctors going into pediatric care - PBS News --- Subscribe to the FLATLINING Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the iHeartRadio app, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pandora, TuneIn, and Audible. Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn. Follow Ron on LinkedIn. Fulcrum Strategies is a healthcare consulting firm specializing in payer contract negotiation and strategic planning for physician practices. Our firm has helped over 5,000 physicians in groups of all sizes and specialties across the country to significantly improve their contract language and reimbursement rates, strategically plan for the future, and achieve business success. Learn more at FSDOC.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

On the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies this week, Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley discuss what sort of healthcare platforms Vice President Kamala Harris could advocate as the new Democratic nominee. They also discuss a recent interview Ron gave with New York Magazine on automatic insurance denials. -- Further reading: Where Kamala Harris Stands on Key Healthcare Issues - Medpage Today In Denial - New York Magazine -- Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to podcasts and have every episode delivered to your email by subscribing at www.FLATLINING.net. Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn. Follow Ron on LinkedIn. Fulcrum Strategies is a healthcare consulting firm specializing in payer contract negotiation and strategic planning for physician practices. Our firm has helped over 5,000 physicians in groups of all sizes and specialties across the country to significantly improve their contract language and reimbursement rates, strategically plan for the future, and achieve business success. Learn more at FSDOC.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

This week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Matthew Handley and CEO Ron Howrigon discuss how the Supreme Court overturning Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. could affect healthcare down the road. There is a possiblity that it could dictate how the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services detirmine Medicare reimbursement, whether or not the Food and Drug Administration can approve over the counter medications, and more. Matthew and Ron also discuss how this ruling could affect the No Surprises Act. -- Further reading: What Does the Overturning of Chevron Mean for Healthcare? - Holland and Knight How the Supreme Court has roiled U.S. health-care agencies - The Washington Post We break down the overturning of the Chevron doctrine - NPR -- Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to podcasts and have every episode delivered to your email by subscribing at www.FLATLINING.net. Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn. Follow Ron on LinkedIn. Fulcrum Strategies is a healthcare consulting firm specializing in payer contract negotiation and strategic planning for physician practices. Our firm has helped over 5,000 physicians in groups of all sizes and specialties across the country to significantly improve their contract language and reimbursement rates, strategically plan for the future, and achieve business success. Learn more at FSDOC.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

This week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Matthew Handley and CEO Ron Howrigon have a conversation with universal healthcare advocate Wendell Potter. They discuss Wendell's decision to get out of the insurance business and become an advocate for affordable healthcare for all Americans. Wendell Potter was a VP level executive at Cigna before he left in 2008. He now advocates for universal healthcare and is the leader of two reform advocacy nonprofits: the Center for Health and Democracy and Business Leaders for Health Care Transformation. He is also a New York Times best-selling author and his most recent book is For Want of a Dentist: The Rise of the Dental Therapy Movement in Tribal Nations and the US. You can follow his work on his Substack: Health Care Un-covered. --- Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to podcasts and have ubscribe to the FLATLINING Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the iHeartRadio app, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pandora, TuneIn, and Audible. Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn. Follow Ron on LinkedIn.--- Fulcrum Strategies is a healthcare consulting firm specializing in payer contract negotiation and strategic planning for physician practices. Our firm has helped over 5,000 physicians in groups of all sizes and specialties across the country to significantly improve their contract language and reimbursement rates, strategically plan for the future, and achieve business success. Learn more at FSDOC.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

Next week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Matthew Handley and Ron Howrigon talk to former Cigna executive Wendell Potter about the feasibility of universal healthcare in the United States. --- Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to podcasts and have every episode delivered to your email by subscribing at www.FLATLINING.net. Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn.Follow Ron on LinkedIn. Fulcrum Strategies is a healthcare consulting firm specializing in payer contract negotiation and strategic planning for physician practices. Our firm has helped over 5,000 physicians in groups of all sizes and specialties across the country to significantly improve their contract language and reimbursement rates, strategically plan for the future, and achieve business success. Learn more at FSDOC.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

This week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Matthew Handley and CEO Ron Howrigon have a conversation with Gus Geraci, MD about the challenges of reforming healthcare. Dr. Gaspere Geraci has more than thirty-five years of clinical, process, and quality improvement experience. He has worked as a physician, recruiting physicians and working with insurance companies. You can find more about him on his website, drgeraci.com, Rate Your Healthcare Employer, and and follow him on X and LinkedIn. -- Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to podcasts and have every episode delivered to your email by subscribing at www.FLATLINING.net. Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn. Follow Ron on LinkedIn. Fulcrum Strategies is a healthcare consulting firm specializing in payer contract negotiation and strategic planning for physician practices. Our firm has helped over 5,000 physicians in groups of all sizes and specialties across the country to significantly improve their contract language and reimbursement rates, strategically plan for the future, and achieve business success. Learn more at FSDOC.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

This week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Matthew Handley and CEO Ron Howrigon discuss several healthcare-related news items and how they affect patients and providers. They discuss for-profit HMO’s being banned from participating in Minnesota Medicaid products. They also discuss the economic impact and future of insurance coverage for GLP-1 weight loss drugs such as Wegovy and Zepbound. Also on the program: UnitedHealthcare has announced they will increase their usage of artificial intelligence. Plus: a former AstraZeneca executive is charged with cyber stalking after he sent threatening messages to leadership at CVS Health and Aetna. -- Articles mentioned in this program: For-profit HMOs will, again, be blocked from Minnesota's Medicaid program - Minneapolis Star Tribune Weight loss drug coverage gets more complicated - Becker's Payer Issues Real-World Trends in GLP-1 Treatment Persistence and Prescribing for Weight Management - BlueCross BlueShield UnitedHealth testing 500 AI use cases - Becker's Hospital Review Patient’s Dark Fantasy About Aetna Lands Him in Jail - The Daily Beast -- Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to podcasts and have every episode delivered to your email by subscribing at www.FLATLINING.net. Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn. Follow Ron on LinkedIn. Fulcrum Strategies is a healthcare consulting firm specializing in payer contract negotiation and strategic planning for physician practices. Our firm has helped over 5,000 physicians in groups of all sizes and specialties across the country to significantly improve their contract language and reimbursement rates, strategically plan for the future, and achieve business success. Learn more at FSDOC.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

This week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley sit down with Lou Tharp to discuss patient-centered healthcare and patient advocacy. Lou Tharp is the co-founder and executive director of the Global Healthy Living Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on improving the quality of life for those living with chronic diseases such as arthritis, psoriasis, IBS, cardiovascular disease, and more. Lou is also the co-founder of Creaky Joints®, an international, digital community of arthritis patients and caregivers. You learn more about the Global Healthy Living Foundation at GHLF.org and Creaky Joints® at CreakyJoints.org. You can also follow Lou on X (@LouisTharp). Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to podcasts and have every episode delivered to your email by subscribing at www.FLATLINING.net. Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn. Follow Ron on LinkedIn. Fulcrum Strategies is a healthcare consulting firm specializing in payer contract negotiation and strategic planning for physician practices. Our firm has helped over 5,000 physicians in groups of all sizes and specialties across the country to significantly improve their contract language and reimbursement rates, strategically plan for the future, and achieve business success. Learn more at FSDOC.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

This week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley take a look back at the last 20 years of Fulcrum Strategies. They discuss why Ron left his employment with the payers and began working with physicians and what has changed in the last twenty years. They also take a look at what might change in the future. Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to podcasts and have every episode delivered to your email by subscribing at www.FLATLINING.net. Subscribe to the FLATLINING Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the iHeartRadio app, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pandora, TuneIn, and Audible. Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn. Follow Ron on LinkedIn. Fulcrum Strategies is a healthcare consulting firm specializing in payer contract negotiation and strategic planning for physician practices. Our firm has helped over 5,000 physicians in groups of all sizes and specialties across the country to significantly improve their contract language and reimbursement rates, strategically plan for the future, and achieve business success. Learn more at FSDOC.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

This week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley break down testimony from the Congressional hearings about the Change Healthcare cyber attack. On May 1, UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty was in the hot seat as senators and representatives grilled him on the impact to patients and providers. Ron and Matthew break it down in a way that is easy to understand and help you know how it impacts you. Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to podcasts and have every episode delivered to your email by subscribing at www.FLATLINING.net. Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn. Follow Ron on LinkedIn. Fulcrum Strategies is a healthcare consulting firm specializing in payer contract negotiation and strategic planning for physician practices. Our firm has helped over 5,000 physicians in groups of all sizes and specialties across the country to significantly improve their contract language and reimbursement rates, strategically plan for the future, and achieve business success. Learn more at FSDOC.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

On today’s episode of the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, President and CEO Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley talk to John Scagnelli, MD, about multiple sclerosis. This disease has no known cause and no known cure, but there have been some incredible advancements in treatment over the past few decades. Dr. Scagnelli specializes in Multiple Sclerosis and Adult Neurology at Raleigh Neurology’s Durham and Raleigh offices. Dr. Scagnelli received his BS in Human Development from Cornell University in 2002. He earned his MD from the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine in 2006. He then completed his Neurology Residency at the University of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital. Following this he was awarded a National Multiple Sclerosis Society Fellowship to study the clinical care and research of patients with multiple sclerosis and related disorders at the University of Virginia. Dr. Scagnelli is a member of the National MS Society and the American Academy of Neurology. --- Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to podcasts and have every episode delivered to your email by subscribing at www.FLATLINING.net. --- Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn. Follow Ron on LinkedIn. --- Fulcrum Strategies is a healthcare consulting firm specializing in payer contract negotiation and strategic planning for physician practices. Our firm has helped over 5,000 physicians in groups of all sizes and specialties across the country to significantly improve their contract language and reimbursement rates, strategically plan for the future, and achieve business success. Learn more at FSDOC.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

Next week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, President and CEO Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley are joined by John Scagnelli, MD of Raleigh Neurology. They will be discussing multiple sclerosis, a devastating disease with no known cause and no known cure. But there is hope. Recent research has created new advancements in treatment. You won’t want to miss this episode of the FLATLINING Podcast. Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts. ---- Follow Ron Howrigon on LinkedIn. Follow Matthew Handley on X and LinkedIn. ---- Fulcrum Strategies is a healthcare consulting firm specializing in payer contract negotiation and strategic planning for physician practices. Our firm has helped over 5,000 physicians in groups of all sizes and specialties across the country to significantly improve their contract language and reimbursement rates, strategically plan for the future, and achieve business success. Learn more at FSDOC.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

On today’s episode of the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, President and CEO Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley discuss some of the most pressing topics affecting physicians and their patients. In this episode, they discuss: • UnitedHealth Group admits they paid the ransom for the Change Healthcare cyber attack • The Justice Department sets up an online portal for people to report anti-competitive healthcare practices • Emergency Medicine physicians in Detroit strike against their private equity backed employer Tune in to hear more about how these topics affect patients and physicians alike. Articles mentioned in this program: UnitedHealth CEO to testify before House subcommittee May 1 - Becker's Payer Issues Feds launch portal for reporting anticompetitive healthcare deals - Becker's Payer Issues Contracted doctors, physician assistants at Ascension St. John go on strike - The Detroit News ---- Follow Ron Howrigon on LinkedIn. Follow Matthew Handley on X and LinkedIn. Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to podcasts and have every episode delivered to your email by subscribing at www.FLATLINING.net. ---- Fulcrum Strategies is a healthcare consulting firm specializing in payer contract negotiation and strategic planning for physician practices. Our firm has helped over 5,000 physicians in groups of all sizes and specialties across the country to significantly improve their contract language and reimbursement rates, strategically plan for the future, and achieve business success. Learn more at FSDOC.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

This week on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Matthew and Ron discuss the news that UnitedHealth Group posted a $1.4 billion loss in quarter 1 of 2024 following the Change Healthcare cyber attack. They talk about whether or not providers should care about news such as this. Then, they discuss a new law going into effect in California that ups the minimum wage for healthcare workers to $25 an hour. There could be some very dramatic setbacks to healthcare quality, access, and affordability. Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to podcasts and have every episode delivered to your email by subscribing at www.FLATLINING.net. Articles mentioned in this program: UnitedHealth posts $1.4B loss in Q1 following Change cyberattack - Becker's Payer Issues California health workers may face rude awakening with $25 minimum wage law - KFF Health News Follow Matthew on X and LinkedIn. Follow Ron on LinkedIn. Fulcrum Strategies is a health care consulting firm specializing in payer contract negotiation and strategic planning for physician practices. Learn more about what we can do for your practice at fsdoc.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net

Today on the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies, Ron Howrigon and Matthew Handley take a look at some of the latest healthcare news. First, they discuss changes to the Medicare Advantage rates published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; they explain why insurers are saying out of pocket expenses will go up for seniors. Ron and Matthew also discuss Home Depot’s decision to appeal a settlement with BlueCross BlueShield to the Supreme Court; why wasn’t $2.67 billion enough for Home Depot? Finally, they talk about why a bill to reduce prior authorizations in Kentucky falls flat. Listen to the FLATLINING Podcast from Fulcrum Strategies wherever you listen to podcasts and have every episode delivered to your email by subscribing at www.FLATLINING.net. Articles mentioned in this program: CMS finalizing 2025 Medicare Advantage rates – Becker’s Payer Issues Health insurance shares tumble on CMS news – Bloomberg 🔒 Home Depot asks SCOTUS to rule on BCBS anti-trust lawsuit – Becker’s Payer Issues Kentucky gold card prior authorization bill dies – Becker’s Payer Issues This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.flatlining.net