Ep #470: Revealing the Hidden Layers of Healthcare Costs - with Dr. Keith Smith

Have you ever wondered about the hidden layers of healthcare costs? Today, we bring you insights from an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Keith Smith, co-founder of the Surgery Center of Oklahoma. Dr. Smith shares his personal journey of navigating the healthcare industry, and the shocking discovery that hospitals were not always the best advocates for patients or surgeons. He and his colleague dared to change this by establishing their own facility, a radical move that influenced the Trump Executive Order Mandating Price Transparency.

We're also discussing the rising trend of self-funded healthcare plans and why employers are looking for alternatives to traditional ones. Imagine a zero-deductible and zero-copay approach to healthcare; it's happening, and it's giving companies a competitive advantage in the labor market. But it's not all smooth sailing; there are important regulations to consider like CAA notifications and ERISA. Plus, we highlight why quality assurance remains crucial when choosing healthcare facilities.

Rounding off, we question traditional quality metrics and argue for the value of price transparency in measuring the quality of care. We draw on insights from Marty McCary's book Unaccountable to challenge the reliability of existing quality metrics. Finally, Dr. Smith shares his thoughts on the future of healthcare and the ongoing need for more transparency and patient advocacy. So, sit back and join us for a compelling discussion filled with revelations about the evolving healthcare industry.