Healthcare is Broken

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Thirteen ten, WIBA and full scope with Wisconsin's direct care doctor,
doctor Nicole Hemkiss. You can learn more about doctor Hemkiss
and all eight physicians at Advocate MD, as well as
learn more about direct Primarycare all on their website Advocate
DPC dot com. That's Advocate DPC dot com. If you've

(00:20):
got a question about direct primarycare, love to hear from
you this morning. Six SOH eight three two one thirteen ten.
That's six soh eight three two one thirteen ten. Got
an insurance question or a question about how direct primary
care works? Doctor Hemkiss, love to I answer your question
this morning again. Telph number, get down the air. Six
SOH eight three two one thirteen ten. That's six SOH
eight three two one thirteen ten. Speaking of phone numbers.

(00:43):
Great day today, Make an appointment become a member at
Advocate MD. Six oh eight two six eight sixty two eleven.
That's six oh eight to two six eight sixty two eleven.
To make that appointment and become a member at Advocate MD.
As mentioned. Joining us this morning is doctor Nicole Ankis
of Advocate MD. Doctor. How you doing this morning? I'm
doing well somehow, I'm doing really well as well also,
I guess would be the easiest way to say that

(01:06):
you can tell we're in weekend mode at least I
am this morning. And you shared with me last week
a couple of things we're going to talk about, and
and one is just some of the changes with the
with the one Beautiful Bill and and what that means
potentially for hospitals. But you also shared with me a
commercial that's that's going to start running or may already

(01:27):
be running on some of the networks. And I know
when I watched like the Evening News, it seems like
every single commercialist for some type of pharmaceutical or something.
And I see the people in these commercials, and I think, gosh,
I wish I had with it, because they all seem
to be very happy in this very beautiful thing, but
they don't show in those commercials. And what this, what

(01:48):
this new this new campaign points out is, and I
think the title overall is healthcare is Broken and some
of the harsh realities that folks experience in the healthcare system.
And I was telling you before the show, just as
I'd watched this commercial. To me, it really connected with
me because I think that that frustration, unfortunately, a lot
of folks have experienced it. I know this is aimed

(02:11):
at a little bit older demographic, but I think everybody
that's had any type of experience in the insurance system
really quickly connects with that frustration.

Speaker 2 (02:20):
Yeah, and speaking of the commercial, Sean that you mentioned
the pharmaceutical industry commercials, they all look very happy into
the last you know, thirty seconds of the commercial where
they mentioned that the one hundred so this medication might
cause explosive explosive diarrhea, blind paralysis. Well, you know, it's funny,

(02:41):
but not funny, but so so Yes, the commercial that
is put out by this company, I believe that they're
called scan st Ann, And I don't know anything about
the company. I'm not promoting them in any way, but
I believe that they are like a Medicare replacement plan.
But I think the interesting part is that they are acknowledging,

(03:04):
you know, how frustrating the current health insurance system is.
And this again is specifically geared towards patients that have
Medicare replacement plans and you know, have insurance through that,
but you know, this could be extrapolated to anyone that
has health insurance because you know, the person is showing
up with the pharmacy to pick up the prescription and

(03:26):
they're being told this isn't covered by your insurance. And
then another lady is being told, well, your prior authorization
ran out, and so you need to go back and
redo the prior authorization on this medication that they previously approved.
And then there's you know, one older gentleman that's on
the phone trying to get a hold of an actual
person on one of these phone trees. And then there's
a lady who's on her you know, computer at home

(03:49):
and she's trying to log in or do something on
the computer. And I think, again, it kind of just
is very it's kind of an analogy or just a
great example of how we've sort of lost our humanity
in this this healthcare system, which this is what we
were designed to do, right, We were designed to take
care of people, patients, and at some point along the line,

(04:09):
I think a lot of it was driven by profits
and you know, just losing sight of what the purpose
was that we forgot that. You know, we're here to
take care of patients, so let's do what's right for
the patient. You know, it's not about you know, having
a certain form filled out or you know, it's it's
it's sad that that's what it's become. But I think
that's the way most people feel nowadays in our large

(04:32):
healthcare system.

Speaker 1 (04:33):
It's it's it's the to me what connected is Like
like the phone stuff where he's like I think his
name was Larry and they kept calling him Terry or
ed or Eddie or.

Speaker 3 (04:41):
Something, yeah, like Eddie.

Speaker 1 (04:46):
And it's like it's it's it's one thing like when
you're I'm trying to think of like like the cable company,
like you kind of expect that there's you know, you're
going to be spending some time in a phone tregoiz
when it comes to like you're like insurance and healthcare
like really really like at the core of everything without
our health it's been you know, said a million different ways,

(05:08):
but you know, what do you have in life without health?
Is is is? This is like it's serious and important stuff,
but it's not being treated that way oftentimes by by
those who who, unfortunately for a lot of folks, control
their access and it's it's really troubling to have that.
You know, again, it's one thing when it's that, when

(05:28):
it's you know, against something like entertainment or something like
the ticket company or whatever. But it's another thing when
it's healthcare. And when you watch that stuff, you really
connect and you feel that frustration. One of the things
I love about what you're able to do an Advocate
MD is h I mentioned picking up the phone to
make an appointment. I know if the clinic's open. I
know what happens when you call the clinic. The phone

(05:50):
gets answered by a real, live human being that can
really and honestly help you through your problem and help you.
You need to get in right away, get you on
in for and a point. And that's there's that contrast
out there, and I just sometimes wonder like is it real?
And I know, doctor, you put a lot of work
into this, but it don't take the strong way. Is
it really that hard to do the right you know

(06:11):
what I'm saying, Like, like, for what you guys are
able to do at Advocate MD, it's like, oh, yeah,
that just makes it makes perfect sense. Why doesn't every
every health place work this way that like, yeah, when
you call in, you can talk to a real person
that knows you right.

Speaker 3 (06:27):
Yeah, It's it.

Speaker 2 (06:28):
Is an interesting question because I think a lot of too.
A lot of the reasons why healthcare has transformed in
the last ten to twenty years. Obviously there were financial reasons,
you know, despite the fact that most hospitals became nonprofits
where they weren't before. The level of service has declined, right,
and patients are treated more poorly, which is is kind
of ironic. But I think the other part of this

(06:51):
that it shows is that healthcare is different than other industries, right,
Like when you go into a doctor, it's different than
taking your car into the shop, or you know, going
to a you know, going to purchase a pizza at
a restaurant, like there are there should be, in my opinion,
different expectations, different levels of service, different levels of maybe
empathy or just understanding or you know, I mean obviously

(07:13):
good customer services of course, you know, welcome anywhere. But
I don't like to look at it always kind of
just you know, rubs me the wrong way when I
hear patients referred to as customers, because to me, it
feels very transactional versus relational, you know, so like we
have relationships with these patients. They aren't just somebody that
I am exchange, you know, exchanging a service. Good for

(07:34):
a service or whatever. So so I think that a
lot of the business practices that have worked maybe in
other you know, industries, don't exactly translate into healthcare. So like, yes,
maybe automating a lot of systems has worked in you know,
I don't know banking or other types of industries. But

(07:54):
when you think of healthcare, you think of people. Let's
say sometimes that they're worst in terms of their They're scared,
they're anxious them or their loved one is going through
a major medical you know, event or illness. They're seeking help,
they're seeking answers. They don't want to deal with, you know,
a phone tree. They don't want to have to deal

(08:16):
with logging into a computer screen to register at a hospital.
They don't want to have to find their own room
when they're wandering through the clinic to room themselves. Like
all of these things are very basic, like you said, John,
they're they're very kind of common sense things like how
much extra is it for us to greet a person
when they walk in the door and say, hello, how

(08:38):
are you? What can I help you with today? But
shockingly that doesn't occur in many places, you know, So
it's it's you know, waiting in lines, checking in on
a computer screen, rooming yourself, having difficulty when you know
months later you receive a bill, having difficulty getting assistance
with that being treated poorly. You know, all of the

(09:00):
these things kind of are unfortunately what's happening in our
healthcare system right now.

Speaker 1 (09:04):
Talking this morning with doctor Nicole Hemkiss of Advocate MD,
there is a great option. It is direct Primary Care
and Advocate MD. Looking for something excellent for yourself, your family.
If you're an employer looking for great options for your employees,
what a great benefit it is to offer services from
Advocate MD. All you got to do is pick up phone,
give them a call, make an appointments six so eight
two six eight sixty two eleven. That's six so eight

(09:24):
two six eight sixty two eleven. You can learn more
online Advocate DPC dot com. That's ADVOCATESDPC dot com or
real Quick to Doctor. I just wanted to mention for
folks mentioned the website. I hope folks get a chance
also to follow you on Facebook and social media. I
know obviously profile doctors and other folks the clinics, but
you also are highlighting some of the people that are

(09:45):
part of Advocate MD that do other types other types
of work around there, and it's really cool. One of
the things I also really like about obviously haven't had
a chance to visit the clinics and meet with everybody.
You have the team at Advocate MD. You guys are
all very close and and really have like a really
good rapport with each other, but also with patients as well.

(10:07):
And I know people really really love the folks at
Advocate MD that whether it's the doctor, whether it's the
PCTs or others, people really really like like the team
you've put together.

Speaker 2 (10:18):
Yeah, and it is again a very different experience than
walking into a large healthcare system where you have probably
like you know, two or three or four receptionists, you know,
a checkout person, a check in person, you have a
different person that walks you back and puts you in
a room and rooms you a different you know, so
you you might have multiple people you encounter. Our clinic

(10:39):
is much smaller. We usually take you back immediately put
you into a room. You don't most patients don't even
sit down in the waiting room, you know, they're greeted
by the patient care technician that you know, uh, handles
multiple different roles. But yeah, so it's kind of like
a well oiled machine. And you know, because we have
a smaller staff, yes, they get to know the patients

(11:01):
a lot better, the patients get to know them. And
so we are very lucky to have some really great
patient care technicians that have been with us for years
and you know, are super hard working and they prioritize
the patient and do what's right.

Speaker 3 (11:17):
So we're lucky to have people like that.

Speaker 1 (11:19):
And it's for folks that want to get to know
the tea obviously, becoming a patient is a great way
to do that. You can also make sure to follow
Advocate MD on their Facebook page, the website Advocate DPC
dot com. That's Advocate DPC dot com TELF number six,
So eight to six eight sixty two eleven. That's six
eight two six eight sixty two eleven. We'll going to
do our conversation with doctor Cole Hemkis. We'll talk about

(11:41):
a little bit about some reporting about what the big
beautiful bill, what that means for hospitals, and kind of
get get some of the inside scoop from doctor Hempkiss
about what this really means. We'll find out all of
that next as ask the experts, and of course direct
primary care full scope with doctor Cole Hempkiss of Advocate
MDY continues new right here on thirteen ten Wi b

(12:01):
A thirteen ten Wi B A and full scope with
Wisconsin's directcare doc, doctor Nicole Hamkiss. Of course, doctor Hemkiss
comes to us from Advocate MD A direct primary care
practice with four area clinics east side of Madison, Westside
and Middleton around on Glacier Ridge Road. The newest location
thirty two to twenty Sigin Road. And of course they're

(12:22):
Rock County there north North Rock County, Southern Dane County,
Janesville location located right at ten twenty one at Mineral
Point Avenue. Great doctors at all clinics of Advocate MD.
You can start that relationship right now. I got to
just pick up film become a patient six eight to
two six eight sixty two eleven. That's six oh eight
two six eight sixty two eleven. The website Advocates DPC

(12:43):
dot com. That's Advocate DPC dot com. Before we get
to the one beautiful bill and some of the things
it contained within it when it comes to healthcare, I
do want to kind of go back a little bit
to this, to this, to this commercial and this this
campaign that's going on, and uh, and what is I
want to talk to about about something I don't know

(13:05):
that doctor that people always realize is like, doctors really
love what you do. And and I mean there's a
reason why people I know we talked I think it
was last week or the week before about you know,
the amount of commitment that it that it takes to
become a primary care physician, that the type of commitment
time and education and financial commitment it takes to get
to that. And it's it's I think, as from patients side,

(13:28):
we go, why does it have to be like this?
You're not alone as a patient. Doctors feel that way
as well. I mean that that same frustration, that same
burden is felt not just by the patients, but but
for doctors as well to make changes and see changes.
And I think obviously that's probably what led you very
much so to direct primary care. But that feeling is mutual,

(13:50):
isn't it. Doctor.

Speaker 2 (13:52):
Yes, there's a lot of burnout within physicians. I would
say primary care maybe mostly, but I think and specialists
experience a lot of burnout. I mean, if you look
at the statistics, as some of them miss saying it's
like sixty percent of physicians, the primary care doctors are
burnt out.

Speaker 3 (14:10):
You know, I struggle with that word a little.

Speaker 2 (14:12):
Bit because I think that it in some ways implies
that there's something wrong with the physician or that they
should be doing something differently versus you know, in my
opinion and many many others opinion, the system needs to change, right, so,
the healthcare system, how we treat doctors, how we run
medical practices, how many the volume, all.

Speaker 3 (14:32):
Of these different things needs to change.

Speaker 2 (14:35):
But yes, you know, doctors want to love their profession.
I think, you know, as a family medicine doctor, I
didn't choose this profession because I wanted to sit in
the dark room in front of a computer, or because I,
you know, wanted to spend you know, hours.

Speaker 3 (14:51):
Logging things into a computer screen.

Speaker 2 (14:53):
I chose this because I do like talking to patients,
you know, seeing families. I like learning about their their
medical issues. But then also, you know, we of course
have the time to talk about their family and their
job and their stressors and all of these different things
that you know, there's no possible way in a seven
to ten minute visit that they are covering all of that.
You know, I always find it a little funny when

(15:15):
you know, I do a lot of meetings with potential
patients through you know, their employers and things, and you know,
sometimes we will get patients that will you know, raise
their hand because we're describing direct primary care and we're saying,
you know, your doctor's going to spend forty five minutes
to an hour with you. You get an appointment in a
couple of days instead of you know, six to nine months.
You know you need something after hours, you can text

(15:37):
your doctor. Like these are all unheard of things in
the system. So of course I will maybe get occasionally
a person that raises their hand and they're like, well,
I've been seeing the same doctor for fifteen years at
the you know, big hospital system ABC, and you know,
I love my doctor.

Speaker 3 (15:51):
They spend a ton of time with me, and they
you know, they do.

Speaker 2 (15:54):
All this other stuff and I and I always my
response is, you know, similarly, well, I think that's wonderful
that you love your doctor.

Speaker 3 (16:00):
Sure that they are a great doctor.

Speaker 2 (16:01):
But I, as a practicing physician that I've worked in
many settings, I have never encountered a physician that can
spend forty five minutes to an hour with a patient.
It's just not logistically possible because they see fifteen to
twenty patients in a day. So I'm always kind of
skeptical of that. But it is interesting that sometimes people

(16:21):
can perceive that the doctor is spending longer with them
than they actually are. But for most patients that come
into a direct primary creclinic like Advocate MD, and you
sit down with a doctor who you are getting their
undivided attention for forty five minutes to an hour, it
is almost like it's kind of shocking. It's like wow,
Like I didn't even know that this kind of medical

(16:43):
care existed, Like I didn't realize that this could happen.
Like we've talked about Sean, you know, back in the
day when you had the country doctor that you know,
sometimes people went to his house, like his office his
clinic was at the bottom of his house, or you know,
he went to your house.

Speaker 3 (16:57):
That did used to exist.

Speaker 2 (16:58):
That was the norm, I guess, you know, thirty forty
plus years ago, but that does not exist anymore outside
of a direct primary care clinic.

Speaker 1 (17:06):
It's funny as you talk about that that house I
my pediatrician when I was a kiddo. I remember it
was literally an old it was an old house that
was converted into a clinic. It was a husband and
wife pair of physicians that had the clinic, and it
was It was absolutely a fantastic thing. And that's one
of the really cool things that you're able to do
with Advocate MD. One of the things to doctor is

(17:27):
the meter's not running. I know for a lot of people,
do they hear like they're like, oh, we've got we've
got long appointments. Why I still want to expedite it
because it's going to cost me more. The membership include
there is no you're not getting a bill. You're going in,
You've got your got your appointment. That's part of your membership. Now,
obviously there are testing and other things. I know that's

(17:48):
all spelled spelled out in black and white. But you're
not paying extra to get in to see your doctor,
and you're certainly not paying extra to have a complete
conversation with your doctor.

Speaker 3 (17:57):
That is true.

Speaker 2 (17:58):
Yes, So the membership was including all your visits. There's
no copays, there's no charge for the visits. You know
again that that also helps patients to not be disincentivized
to coming in to see the doctor because they're concerned
about the cost of that visit. Like, very rightfully, so
many people. Now, you know, I have this cough that's
been lingering for two to three weeks, or oh my,

(18:19):
you know, right, ankle's been bothering me for a while,
or you know, these headaches or these normal or you know,
should I not be getting these headaches? But when you
are worried about Okay, well, I don't really know what
this doctor's office visit is going to cost because I
do have a deductible as most people do nowadays. So
it's like this doctor's office visit could be two hundred
and fifty dollars. It could be one thousand dollars. Really seriously,

(18:40):
it could be one thousand dollars if they do labs
or an X ray or something else. So people are
scared to utilize the healthcare system, which is very concerning.
These people should be able to go to their doctor
when they have concerns or questions or needs, and this
direct primary care system eliminates those barriers.

Speaker 1 (18:59):
What a novel idea that is, doctor, you can actually
get in to see your doctor when you need to
see a doctor that again, these are this this is
some of that you know you think about and you
probably could tell when when doctor Hemkin started talking about
the practice lights up. Is obviously loves doing it. Patients
love it as well. It's a great option. And this
is the other thing to doctor I did want to

(19:19):
real quick mention and talk about. Is it's affordable. It's attainable.
And that's I think too. Sometimes people think we you know,
maybe they're listening to the radio program or maybe you've
had friends or family talk with them about Advocate m D.
A lot of times their immediate thing is, oh, that
is amazing. Unfortunately I can't afford it. It's not something
for me. It's very it's very affordable, extremely affordable, and

(19:42):
it's also available to anyone and everyone is you don't
need a particular insurance plan. As a matter of fact,
you don't build insurance at Advocate MDY. It doesn't you
guys don't work through insurance. Membership covers it all. And
again membership is crazy affordable. So it's a win win
or a really great opportunity there isn't it.

Speaker 2 (20:00):
Yes, I think you're right Sean that many people when
they hear about this, they maybe the first reaction is
this has got to be expensive. I mean one of
two reactions. Either this is concierge medicine. It's going to
be way too expensive. But then when they hear the
prices that you know, on average the prices seventy to
eighty dollars for an adult and you know, forty dollars
a month for a kid, you know it does seem

(20:22):
too good to be true, Like, how can you be
doing all of what you're saying you're going to do
for seventy dollars a month? Like I don't understand how
the math works out on that, but we can do
all of that because we just don't have the overhead expenses,
we don't have the waste, we don't have all the
insurance billers and coders, and so we can translate that
savings onto the patient.

Speaker 1 (20:40):
It's really amazing stuff what they do at Advocate MD.
They're doing it each and every day. They'd love to
get to know you, love to get to know your family.
If you are an employer looking for amazing opportunities and
great great recruitment tools as well when it comes to
direct primary care, look into Advocate MD, and of course
the website ADVOCATESDPC dot com. That's advocates DPCD dot com.
As a matter of fact, there's a whole section for

(21:02):
businesses right on the website ADVOCATESDPC dot com. Again, great
opportunity for yourself, your family, and of course if you
are a business as well, some great opportunities for your
employers when it comes to direct primary care. Doctor Hempkiss,
it's always great chatting. You enjoyed this great weekend and
we'll talk soon you too, Sean, thank you, and again
that website advocates DPC dot com. Telph a number making
a point become a member six' oh eight two six

(21:23):
eight sixty two. Eleven that's six' oh eight two six
eight sixty. Two eleven More of madison in the morning
comes your way next here on. THIRTEEN ten wiba