Dr. Joy Evers MD MPH (née Hardison) interviews doctors, other health care professionals, and patients to explore challenges in our health care system that make it hard to practice medicine and hard to be a patient. By working together, we can fix health care for all of us!
In this episode I interview Dr. Nathan Hammel, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in orthopedic oncology - and now he does utilization review for insurance companies.
I've spent my career in primary care fighting denials. He's worked on both sides of the desk — submitting his own prior authorizations and evaluating appeals of other doctors' denied insurance claims. That's what made me want to talk to him.
If you're a patient, this is a look behind a process that usually happens invisibly. Why the delay happens. What's actually being evaluated. Why your doctor sometimes can't get you the test they already know you need — and what you can do about it. We also talk about why an MRI can cost $230 in cash and thousands through insurance, and why knowing that in advance changes how people choose their care.
If you're a physician, Dr. Hammel explains what reviewers look for and where strong requests fall apart, which is useful whether or not you land where he does. He argues utilization review grew out of how fee-for-service incentives shape behavior across the profession. I push back — most of what my practice fights over is medications, imaging, and labs, none of which we profit from ordering. We also get into what's happened to Medicare reimbursement since 1999, the squeeze on independent practice, and what consolidation elsewhere in health care suggests about where medicine is headed.
What comes through is that he'd rather this system didn't exist. He closes with a proposal: an audit-based model that would exempt physicians with strong guideline compliance from prior authorization altogether — and shrink the industry he works in.
21 Apr 2026
S2E2: Paging Dr. Robot
In this episode, Dr. Joy Evers sits down with Ada Andruszkiewicz, co-founder and COO of Talkie AI, a voice AI platform built specifically for medical practices. Although Ada is not a physician, her eight-plus years in digital health give her a rare vantage point on how AI has evolved — from clunky rule-based systems to today's large language models — and where it still falls short.
Together, Joy and Ada explore the promise of AI as an administrative partner, the hazards of hallucination and "AI wanting to please," the legal and ethical questions surrounding AI diagnosis, and the parts of medicine that may never be automated. Because medicine is both an art and a science — and while AI can offer a powerful assist with the science, the art still belongs to the humans at the bedside.
7 Mar 2026
S2E1: Not All Heroes Wear Capes
Kicking off season 2, Dr. Joy interviews Kal Vepuri, CEO and founder of Hero Health. They explore the intricate landscape of modern healthcare. Kal shares his personal journey, and they discuss insights on systemic obstacles, the transformative potential of technology (including AI), and the enduring importance of empathy and human touch in medicine.
2 Mar 2026
Season 2 Trailer: Your Doctor Wants to Quit Podcast
The Season 2 trailer of the "Your Doctor Wants to Quit" podcast, hosted by Dr. Joy, sets the stage for a compelling series that delves into the challenges and transformations within the health care system. Dr. Joy emphasizes that despite the podcast's title, the focus is on addressing the systemic issues rather than quitting. The season promises raw conversations about the integration of technology and humanism in health care, the impact of AI on medical practices, and stories from frontline providers. Dr. Joy also shares a personal story of overcoming illness, which has reignited her passion for healthcare reform. The trailer invites listeners to engage in these critical discussions and contribute ideas for improving health care in America.
10 Nov 2025
S1E11: The Business of Medicine
Dr. Joy interviews Dr. Dan Meltzer, Executive Medical Director, about the intersection of business and medicine, highlighting physician leadership and ethical considerations within healthcare organizations in this interview episode.
29 Sept 2025
S1E10: Who do you trust?
Cardiologist Dr. Mo Alo explores the difficulties of fighting medical misinformation on social media with Dr. Joy, emphasizing the need for healthcare experts to deliver precise, unbiased information.
6 Sept 2025
ACEP 2025 BONUS EPISODE: Answering the Call (S1E9)
Emergency physicians share their defining moments, challenges, and the rewarding aspects of their demanding careers in this insightful interview.
6 Aug 2025
S1E8: "We need an AIRWAY!"
Dr. Joy and the founders of Airway explore storytelling's importance in medicine, discussing challenges, vulnerability, and connection for healthcare professionals in this interview.
15 Jul 2025
S1E7: Connecting the Dots
Dr. James Howard shares his transition from emergency medicine to primary care with Dr. Joy, examining healthcare delivery innovations and person-centered care in this interview.
17 Jun 2025
S1E6: Doctor, Doctor
Dr. Joy interviews Dr. Alyssa Burnham and Dr. Michael Turner, who examine the integration of naturopathic and conventional medicine, highlighting the importance of understanding diverse perspectives in healthcare.
25 May 2025
S1E5: Who's Advocating for Us?
Healthcare attorney Amber Zupancic Albin shares her journey from critical care nurse, discusses healthcare regulations, and emphasizes advocacy for patients and providers in this interview with Dr. Joy, highlighting the human element in healthcare.
16 May 2025
S1E2: Your Doctor's Gatekeeper - Re-released with improved audio
This conversation explores the evolving landscape of medicine, focusing on the ethical challenges faced by physicians today, the impact of insurance on patient care, and the financial burdens of medical training. The discussion emphasizes the disillusionment many doctors feel due to external pressures and the need for a return to a more patient-centered approach in healthcare. The discussion also highlights the importance of collaboration between patients and physicians to advocate for necessary changes in the healthcare system.
16 May 2025
S1E1: Slow Medicine - Re-released with improved audio
This conversation explores the evolution of medical technology, the shifting paradigms in patient engagement, and the role of community medicine. It discusses the impact of generative AI on healthcare, the intersection of family medicine and technology, and the future of physicians in a tech-driven world. The dialogue also delves into the challenges of communication in medicine, the concept of slow medicine, and the shift towards value-based care, emphasizing the importance of patient-physician partnerships.
13 May 2025
House of Cards
In this conversation, Dr. Joy Evers interviews her residency colleague, Dr. Sierra Bourne, board-certified emergency physician and Chief of Staff at her local hospital. They discuss the multifaceted challenges facing healthcare professionals, particularly in emergency medicine. They explore the burdens of administrative tasks, the impact of emergency medicine work on mental health, and the importance of primary care in the healthcare system. The discussion also highlights the struggles of balancing work and family life, the financial dynamics of healthcare, and the need for resilience and community support among health care workers. Ultimately, they call for a reimagining of how healthcare is delivered in the United States to better serve both patients and providers.
22 Apr 2025
LOVE-Care
Dr. Joseph Weiss and Dr. Nancy Cetel, a couple, share their personal journeys into medicine. They discuss the evolution of medicine over the past 40 years, and also one thing that has remained the same: the importance of compassion in patient care. They address the challenges posed by the current health care system, including the impact of insurance on patient care and the need for a shift towards precision medicine that focuses on individualized care rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Their insights reflect a deep commitment to improving health care through advocacy.
17 Mar 2025
Your Doctor's Gatekeeper
Dr. Joy Evers (nee Hardison) and Dr. Damian Rasch, a board certified cardiologist, discuss ethical concerns over the increased involvement of non-physicians in decision-making regarding what health services are covered by insurance companies. Their discussion emphasizes the loss of physician autonomy due to external financial pressures and other factors. They also discuss the need for more collaboration between doctors and patients to effect meaningful change in our health care system.
3 Mar 2025
Slow Medicine
This conversation explores the evolution of medical technology, the shifting paradigms in patient engagement, and the role of AI in healthcare. It highlights the importance of community medicine, the human element in patient care, and the future of physicians in a tech-driven world. The discussion also delves into communication challenges in medicine, the concept of slow medicine, and the shift towards value-based care, emphasizing the need for a balance between technology and human interaction in healthcare.
17 Feb 2025
Intro: Your Doctor Wants to Quit
Learn what inspired the Your Doctor Wants to Quit podcast!
Who has been a guest on Your Doctor Wants to Quit
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dr Dan Meltzer
Emergency physicians
the founders of Airway
Dr James Howard
Dr Alyssa Burnham
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
19 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
19 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 23 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
26
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
Contact Your Doctor Wants to Quit
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Your Doctor Wants to Quit
Who hosts Your Doctor Wants to Quit?
Dr Joy host the show. Published by Dr. Joy Evers MD MPH (née Hardison).
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes monthly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Your Doctor Wants to Quit take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
Host of Your Doctor Wants to Quit?
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