There is a huge range of opinions when it comes to discussing the current state of healthcare, but one opinion seems almost universal: something needs to change! My guest today, James Maskell, is a true innovator for positive change in the health community. He has spent over 10 years now innovating at the cross-section of functional medicine and community, which we are going to explain in-depth today.
Just some of his accomplishments so far include creating the Functional Forum, the world’s largest integrative medicine conference, and writing a bestselling book called Evolution of Medicine, which is full of ideas about the future of medicine and how health professionals can work toward a predictive and preventative model. More recently he founded a new company called KNEW Health, which is an affordable alternative to health insurance specifically for health-conscious people.
Episode Highlights With KNEW Health
- Why we need more functional medicine doctors
- The difference between integrative and functional medicine
- Why America is the best place to be for emergency care but the worst for a chronic illness
- The shocking average cost of medical insurance for the average American family
- Steps we can take to fix the system from the inside out
- The reason community is necessary for health (in more ways than one)
- Why medical group visits are the solution to loneliness
- How KNEW health approach to copays
- Whether cost-sharing model can really protect you if a big health problem strikes (I know a little about this one!)
- And more!
Resources We Mention
- KNEW Health
- James book: The Evolution of Medicine
- Evolution of Medicine website
- James Maskell TED Talk:
Books James Recommends
- Fingerprints of the Gods
- Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? by Seth Godin
- The Disease Delusion by James Bland
More From Wellness Mama
- 188: Saunacast: How We Took Control of Our Healthcare and Insurance (& Saved Money)
- Why We Chose Samaritan Ministries Over Health Insurance
- Why Personalized Concierge Medicine Is the Future of Health
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283: A Whole-Person Approach to Health With Razi Berry
Hi Katie. Are you still using Samaritan? Curious to know if you considered Knew Health and what led you to your decision to stay or switch. Thanks!
We switched to the Health Share model three years ago. It’s been great. We are leaving our current CHS company for Sedera. Love that they are no cap and that the need can carry over year after year versus a deductible starting over each year. We have many friends now on health shares and we are all enjoying the freedom to choose. So glad the healthshare movement is growing.
Hi Katie ! I have been meaning to reach out and ask you about healthcare sharing for ages. So, I researched it a bit, and tried to find answers on my own, as I imagine you to be incredibly busy now… (I’ve been a WM blog reader since 2014…! and I love your work!!!) However, my question seems hard-to-find… so, here it goes: My husband does not want to switch to the HCS model because he thinks that we would be completely unprepared for any really major catastrophic medical situations. He says that traditional health care would protect us and our assets, while healthcare sharing would blindside us, and leave us completely destitute. He’s a planner and financially savvy – so is there anything that I could show him to prove that it’s a totally viable option ? thanks for your time !!!!
When my husband had an emergency appendectomy in 2012, he developed a secondary infection after it and was in the hospital for 8 days. Total bill was over $120,000. We told the hospital we were self-pay (which is technically correct with health care sharing) and what kind of discount could they offer since we’d be paying for it out of pocket. The dropped the bill to under $12,000 which was then covered in full by our health care sharing plan. I’ve also had three pregnancies completely covered by it. So that’s my personal experience with it…
Can you tell me which program you use? I have used Liberty Healthshare for the last two years and its been good in some ways… but I am a year postpartum now and STILL working with them to get all the maternity and birth bills paid. I’d love to know which you use and if it’s been easy and reliable! Thanks!
We’re currently using Samaritan…