Healthcare Beans explores how policy, financing, technology, and market incentives shape American health systems. Through conversations with healthcare leaders, founders, and policy experts, the podcast examines what it takes to build more sustainable, patient-centered systems — and where innovation, partnerships, and capital can meaningfully improve outcomes.
Healthcare Beans
Claim This Podcastby James Haven, PhD
5.0(7 reviews)
19 episodes
Updated Weekly
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
Healthcare Beans explores how policy, financing, technology, and market incentives shape American health systems. Through conversations with healthcare leaders, founders, and policy experts, the podcast examines what it takes to build more sustainable, patient-centered systems — and where innovation, partnerships, and capital can meaningfully improve outcomes.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
9/19/2020
1 verified contact email on file for Healthcare Beans
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Recent Episodes
May 28, 2026
Direct pay as a new access layer with Paula Muto, MD
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Episode summary</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">In this episode of Healthcare Beans, James speaks with <strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulamutomd/">Paula Muto, MD</a></strong>, founder of <strong><a href="https://uber-docs.com/">UBERDOC</a></strong>, about the barriers patients face in accessing specialty care and how direct-pay models may help reshape the healthcare system. Paula shares the story behind UBERDOC, discusses the growth of the platform, and reflects on broader themes including patient autonomy, price transparency, rural access, the shortcomings of managed care, and the role of technology in modern care delivery.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">What we cover</h2> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li class="">Why Paula Muto founded UBERDOC</li> <li class="">The access and affordability problems the company was built to address</li> <li class="">How direct-pay specialty care can strengthen the doctor-patient relationship</li> <li class="">Why traditional healthcare systems often create friction and delay</li> <li class="">The rise of direct primary care and adjacent care models</li> <li class="">Managed care, patient autonomy, and the consequences of delayed treatment</li> <li class="">Price transparency as a tool for patient empowerment</li> <li class="">New approaches to rural healthcare access</li> <li class="">Technology’s role in improving navigation and care delivery</li> <li class="">Direct pay, Medicare innovation, and new ideas around appointment access</li> </ul> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Chapter breakdown</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>00:00</strong> Introduction to UBERDOC and Dr. Paula Muto<br /><strong>01:20</strong> The birth of UBERDOC: solving for access and affordability<br /><strong>04:38</strong> The growth of UBERDOC: from 40 to 5,000 doctors<br /><strong>07:18</strong> Empowering patients through the doctor-patient relationship<br /><strong>09:43</strong> Technology’s role in modern healthcare<br /><strong>11:35</strong> The inefficiencies of traditional healthcare systems<br /><strong>14:17</strong> The rise of direct primary care<br /><strong>17:04</strong> The challenges of managed care and patient autonomy<br /><strong>18:23</strong> A personal story: the consequences of delayed care<br /><strong>19:17</strong> The exodus in healthcare<br /><strong>20:47</strong> Price transparency and patient empowerment<br /><strong>23:24</strong> Innovative solutions for rural healthcare<br /><strong>25:56</strong> The role of technology in patient care<br /><strong>27:33</strong> Challenges in the medical profession<br /><strong>29:04</strong> Direct pay and Medicare innovations<br /><strong>31:31</strong> Appointment banking and patient access</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Guest bio</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Paula Muto, MD</strong> is the founder of <strong>UBERDOC</strong>, a platform designed to improve access to specialty care through transparent, direct-pay appointments. A practicing physician and healthcare entrepreneur, she has focused her work on reducing barriers between patients and doctors while rethinking how care can be delivered more efficiently and affordably.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key takeaways</h2> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li class="">Access remains one of the most persistent failures in healthcare delivery.</li> <li class="">Direct-pay specialty care offers an alternative to traditional referral and reimbursement pathways.</li> <li class="">Price transparency can give patients more agency and reduce confusion.</li> <li class="">Technology can improve care access, but only if it supports stronger doctor-patient relationships rather than more bureaucracy.</li> <li class="">New care models may not fully replace the current system, but they can expose where the system is no longer working well.</li> </ul> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Godspeed..</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">James</p>
October 2, 2025
Accelerating medical device development with Jason Scherer
In this conversation, I talk with Jason Scherer, the CEO and founder of VitaTek, to learn about the innovative approach his company takes in the medical device manufacturing industry. He shares insights on the challenges faced with bringing medical devices to market, the importance of technology in reducing healthcare costs, and the experiences of innovators in the field. The discussion also touches on the future of robotic surgery and AI, as well as the investment risks associated with medical device development.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> We hope you enjoy the show!<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Godspeed.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ~ James<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 00:00 Introduction to Vita Tech Group<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 02:22 The Stages of Medical Device Manufacturing<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 05:14 Challenges in Medical Device Development<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 08:21 Innovative Solutions in Medical Device Production<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 11:01 The Impact of Technology on Healthcare Costs<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 13:58 Future of Robotic Surgery and AI<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 16:31 Navigating the Medical Device Market<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 18:54 The Role of Innovators in Medical Devices<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 21:45 Investment and Risk in Medical Device Development <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 24:25 Conclusion and Future Outlook
August 10, 2024
How to crack the self-insured employer market with Lindsey Kratzer
Lindsey Kratzer of Spark Health Advisors shares valuable insights on the self-insured employer market.
19 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Healthcare Beans?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates weekly.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 8 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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Information about guest appearances is not available.
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