Tuesday Morning With Justin: Healthcare, Leadership & Life

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Ever wonder why healthcare costs keep climbing despite supposed regulations? The answer lies in a surprising insight I gained from running a pizza business in my college dorm room.

At Cornell College, my friends and I sold $2 frozen pizzas for $5 (eventually $8) – a 75% profit margin we could maintain solely because we had no competition. This simple business lesson reveals the troubling mechanics behind our ...

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Could you get the same medical procedure for less than half the price by boarding a plane? For millions of Americans facing staggering healthcare costs, medical tourism has become more than just a curiosity – it's becoming a financial necessity.

The story of 28-year-old Brianna Williams highlights this growing trend perfectly. Despite having comprehensive employer-provided health insurance, she discovere...

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Stepping into the often overlooked yet critically important realm of employer responsibilities, today's episode tackles the concept of fiduciary duty in employee health plans. What begins as an admittedly dry-sounding legal term quickly unfolds into a fascinating exploration of how your healthcare decisions are made—and who's accountable when things go wrong.

Did you know your employer has a legal o...

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JP Morgan Chase faces a lawsuit from an employee claiming the company failed its fiduciary duty by maintaining a pharmacy benefit manager relationship that forces employees to pay inflated prices for medications. The case highlights how PBMs can create massive price disparities, with one medication costing $8,000 through the plan versus just $30 at retail pharmacies.

• Employees diagnosed with conditions requ...

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Shocked doesn't begin to describe our reaction when we discovered the true cost of common medical procedures. After attending an eye-opening Free Market Medical Association event in Omaha, we're pulling back the curtain on healthcare's most closely guarded secret: the massive gap between what procedures actually cost and what patients are billed.

Would you believe that your $200 comprehensive m...

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I'm frustrated by a recent $100,000 bill my client received for a knee replacement performed at a low-quality facility. I can't help but question how we've normalized this level of waste in our healthcare system. This egregious example highlights everything wrong with healthcare today—the only industry where we blindly follow recommendations without any information about quality or cost.

But th...

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Direct Primary Care offers quality healthcare that's accessible, personalized, and often more affordable than traditional medical practices. Justin Futrell shares insights on this alternative healthcare model and answers common questions from listeners about how it works and why it's gaining popularity.

• DPC physicians prioritize patient care over paperwork, creating flexible solutions like Justin&...

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Direct primary care is revolutionizing the way we think about healthcare, emphasizing quality and accessibility. Justin discusses the benefits of the membership model and the recent legislative support that could expand access to this model.

• Direct primary care centers the patient-physician relationship 
• Emphasis on quality care over quantity 
• New legislation could allow HSAs to fund membership ...

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This episode explores the intricate connection between risk and cost in healthcare, emphasizing how managing risks can lead to significant long-term savings. Through relatable anecdotes and thorough analysis, we highlight the impact of preventative care and the costs associated with neglecting health screenings. 

• Discusses the relationship between risk and cost in healthcare 
• Uses an analogy involving...

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Aetna's lawsuit against Radiology Partners sheds light on excessive billing practices in the medical imaging industry, revealing the importance of choosing independent clinics for better pricing and quality. This episode explores the implications for patients and encourages informed choices in their healthcare decisions. 
• Aetna's legal action against Radiology Partners for fraudulent billing practices ...

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Can international mail-order prescriptions transform how we handle healthcare costs? Discover the untapped potential of sourcing medications from countries like Canada and Mexico as we explore an emerging trend that’s gaining momentum. Join me, Justin Futrell, your benefit advisor from True North Companies, in this eye-opening episode where we unpack the financial and legal incentives of international pharmacy options...

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Here’s the latest on UHC & Elevance Health (BlueCross). UHC commits to pass through pricing with Optum RX by end of 2028. Who is your Pharmacy Benefit Manager? Optum RX is a profit puppy for UnitedHealth. Are you confident they are helping you get the highest value outcome?

Updates on quarterly earnings report from Elevance (BlueCross) as well. 

Want to find out if your company is overspending on...

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Here is your quick refresher if you have a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account. 

Which one is your money indefinitely? HSA. 

Which one is “use it or lose it”? FSA. 

If you have an FSA you likely have a grace period through March to use your funds. When in doubt go to FSAstore.com to find eligible purchases. Think of it like the Amazon of IRS eligible items. 

Music by Alex Lamb...

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When you learn about a problem, what do you do next? Likely identify “who is involved?” 

The US Healthcare system is a problem. It’s costly for you and me (the users of healthcare). It’s costly for our employers (who generally pay 70% of premium). Who are the winners?

Today I want to focus our attention on insurance companies. They are just one of the pieces to the puzzle of our healthcare. The quest...

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Saturday November 16 is Justin’s 7th annual fundraiser for clean water. Want to participate?

1) Walk for Water - Nov 16, wherever you are in the world 🌍, walk 1 mile with an empty bucket, then 1 more mile with a bucket full of water. 
“Put yourself in someone else’s shoes”👟 
Tag @TanzaniaWaterFund and #WalkforWater on social media. 

2) Do pull-ups - “Pull-ups are hard, it’s also hard to liv...

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In this conversation with Justin Futrell, a self-funded benefits advisor at True North Companies, we explore how innovative strategies in healthcare can drive down costs and improve outcomes. Justin shares real-world examples of how employers are transforming their healthcare offerings by leveraging data, direct contracting, and creative incentives. From reducing gaps in care to finding more affordable treatment optio...

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Walgreens plans to close 1,200 stores over the next 3 years. Meanwhile, CVS Pharmacy is laying off an additional 2,900 employees after having already closed 600 stores since 2022. What is happening?

For too long, these pharmacy chains thrived off the hidden games that happen behind the scenes. For example, taking advantage of spread pricing and rebate games. 

Employers who are still partnered with CV...

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Generally, I like to bring a problem in a solution to the table. To help people understand how to eliminate waste in the healthcare system. Today, I just needed to be completely authentic and share how frustrating and challenging it is for midmarket employers in our current healthcare system. 

Music by Alex Lambert.

Contact Justin via text 740-525-5259 or via email JFutrell@TrueNorthCompanies.com

I welcome the ...

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Have you ever seen waste in the US healthcare system? Me too. Thats why I love BowTie. They are negotiating cash prices on behalf of employees when they need care AND THEN rewarding them with little to no out of pocket expenses. 

This is a great way to cut fat out of the healthcare system without overburdening an HR team!!

Learn more about BowTie Medical here. Homepage (bowtiemedical.com)

Music by Ale...