Why the U.S. Healthcare System Is Failing You—And What You Can Do About It
If you’ve ever felt rushed, overbilled, or unheard by your doctor — you’re not alone.
In one of the most important conversations I’ve had, I sat down with Dr. Adrian Chavez on The Nutrition Science Podcast to talk about what’s really broken in the U.S. healthcare system—and how empowered patients like you can take back control of your health.
As a board-certified endocrinologist, I’ve lived both sides of this system. I started in a high-volume insurance-based clinic, where I was expected to see up to 30 patients a day. That left me with 7–10 minutes per visit—barely enough time to say hello, much less understand someone’s complex metabolic and hormonal challenges. Like many physicians, I was morally injured, forced to choose between practicing good medicine and meeting administrative quotas.
That’s why I left to build Complete Medicine, a direct care endocrinology practice that eliminates insurance middlemen, prioritizes transparency, and gives patients real time, access, and results.
Why the Insurance-Based Model Doesn’t Work
Our current healthcare system is dominated by perverse financial incentives. Insurance companies and hospital systems benefit most when physicians spend less time with each patient and bill more for procedures. This model values volume over outcomes and profit over people. They also benefit when healthcare is more expensive due to the minimum loss ratio - we explain all the details in this episode.
Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) further inflate drug prices—adding layers of cost and confusion between patients and their medications. Even federal reimbursement policies are skewed, rewarding procedure-heavy specialties while ignoring fields like endocrinology that focus on long-term health.
The result? Frustrated patients and skyrocketing costs. Doctors who feel like they cannot provide you the care you deserve resulting in moral injury.
The Direct Care Alternative
There is another way. Direct care models like Complete Medicine and HeyHealthy are cutting out the middlemen. We work directly with patients and employers to deliver value-based, personalized care without surprise bills or red tape.
With this model:
You get longer visits with your doctor
Transparent, upfront pricing
Real-time access via text or video
Integrated tech like CGMs and wearables to track progress
Lower costs and better outcomes
It’s care that puts you first—and it works.
What You Can Do Today
✅ Know your options: You’re not required to stay in the traditional system. Seek out direct specialty care providers who offer transparent pricing and longer visits.
✅ Get informed: Read books like Never Pay the First Bill or The Price We Pay to understand how healthcare billing really works.
✅ Advocate for yourself: If your current care feels transactional or incomplete, it’s okay to demand more.
✅ Share this podcast: Start the conversation with friends and colleagues who are also navigating chronic conditions or complex health concerns.
There is a better way forward. And you deserve it.
Want personalized endocrine care without the middlemen? Join Complete Medicine to get started.
