Merge Medical Startup Podcast Dr. Jeff Cole and Dr. Jeff Brown

Stated as a matter of fact, cybersecurity is a big f*^&%ing deal.
Join us in a Deep Dive version of the Merge Medical podcast as Dr. Jeff Brown and Dr. Jeff Cole interview Dr. Jose Bolanos. Dr. Bolanos is founder and CEO of Nimbus-T Global and offers a compelling opportunity for enterprise and individuals alike to protect themselves in a world full of bad actors.
Cybersecurity threats can hit home in so many ways. Unfortunately, the medical profession and healthcare industry seem to be like fish in a barrel. Constant threats, frequent losses...and few, if any, wins.
In addition to high profile ransomware attacks such as Change Healthcare and Ascension, there are countless direct attacks on medical practices. One of these attacks can easily bankrupt a successful, long standing medical practice.
With billion-dollar market cap companies trying to create meaningful solutions and put a notch in the win column, is it possible that a physician holds the keys to one of the most revolutionary solutions in existence?
Moving well beyond two-factor authentication (2FA) and multi-factorial authentication (MFA), Nimbus-T Global / Nimbus-Key ID provides the most advanced cybersecurity protection at login to enterprise systems. The Nimbus-Key ID mobile app registers each user with KYC/AI/Biometric verification. The user logs into the mobile app with True User Verification and the system bypasses passwords with dynamically encrypted ID in a QRcode (DE-MFA). This system protects the enterprise login process and the user’s true access.
Also, having experience with poor cooperation across the myriad of software systems required for the day-to-day activities of both office-based and hospital-based physicians, much thought has gone into the time efficiency of the hardware-agnostic process.
If you have escaped direct cybersecurity threat or loss up to this point, some experts would say that it’s only a matter of time.
Tune in to the latest Merge Medical podcast to learn more.
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Would this bring value to you, your family or your medical practice? Investable merits of this company? Let’s discuss in the forum.
If you are a physician or healthcare professional with an NPI number, you can register for our private forum to join the discussion. Sign up today!
https://mergemedical.community.forum/
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DISCLAIMER: Merge Medical and the podcast hosts are providing this content for informational and entertainment purposes only and are not broker dealers or registered investment advisors. We are not providing investment or legal advice. We will bring awareness to interesting projects and companies and then leave further discussion of the clinical and/or investable merits of these companies up to free discussion within the forum. Additionally, podcast participants (including the hosts) and Merge Medical forum members may or may not have a financial interest within the companies being interviewed or featured.

Welcome to the Merge Medical Podcast, where today’s healthcare innovators and leaders come together to shape tomorrow’s healthcare landscape. In our latest episode, we’re honored to host Dr. Robert Pearl, the former CEO of Kaiser Permanente, a prolific author and a visionary in the fields of AI and healthcare.

Dr. Robert Pearl was the CEO of The Permanente Medical Group (Kaiser Permanente) from 1999-2017. In this role he led 12,000 physicians, 42,000 staff and was responsible for the nationally recognized medical care of over 5 million Kaiser Permanente members on the west and east coasts.

His newest book, “ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine” debuted as #1 on Amazon’s “New Best Seller” list. All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders. He is also the author of “Mistreated: Why We think We’re Getting Good Healthcare—And Why We’re Usually Wrong,” a Washington Post bestseller and “Uncaring: How the Culture of Medicine Kills Doctors and Patients,” published May 2021.

Pearl, named one of Modern Healthcare’s 50 most influential physician leaders, serves as a clinical professor of plastic surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine and is on the faculty of the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

He hosts the popular podcasts Fixing Healthcare and Medicine: The Truth, publishes a newsletter called Monthly Musings on American Healthcare, and is a regular contributor to Forbes.

Dr. Pearl received his medical degree from the Yale University School of Medicine and completed his residency at Stanford University.

Connect with Dr. Robert Pearl on Twitter @RobertPearlMD, LinkedIn and at his website robertpearlmd.com.

Welcome to the Merge Medical Podcast, where today's healthcare innovators and leaders come together to shape tomorrow's healthcare landscape. In our latest episode, we're honored to host Dr. Harvey Castro, a visionary ER physician, AI healthcare futurist, and prolific author in the field of AI and healthcare. Dr. Castro delves into how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing patient care and physician practices, sharing his journey in developing AI technologies aimed at improving outcomes and building a sustainable future for healthcare professionals. Discover the potential of AI to transform healthcare delivery, enhance patient experiences, and unlock new avenues for private practice growth and wealth creation.
This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about the intersection of healthcare and technology, seeking practical insights and inspiration to navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead. Join us as Dr. Harvey Castro leads the way in leveraging AI for a healthier tomorrow.

Merge Medical Website: https://mergemedical.org
LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7080491988705234946

Beyond being a solid entrant to the DPC (direct primary care space) market, First Primary Care founder, Dr. Geetinder Goyal, and his team are on their way to forming a physician led insurance company that solves for healthcare industry’s terminal illness, the mega-carriers.
“10 in 10″ or quick hitting version of our video podcast. Drs Jeff Brown and Jeff Cole interview Dr. Goyal, Founder of First Primary Care.
First Primary Care (FPC) grew both its membership and its revenue by more than 100% between 2023 and 2024. The vast majority of the 6000 members have onboarded through self-funded employer plans. These plans are comprised of a vertical stack of solutions designed to optimally benefit the patient, the employer, and the physician care team.
While many direct primary care (DPC) businesses are emerging, we are not aware of another DPC company has built a full stack health plan that includes a strong primary care base with integrated partners for cash pay specialists and services, a pharmacy benefit manager, TPAs (third party administrators), PPO network access, stop-loss insurance and distribution through brokers who are becoming more of a benefit advisor.
With a focus on price transparency, healthcare can become more stream-lined, and value can be measured. The incentives of the FPC physicians are aligned with that of the patient, health and prevention. The original role of insurance is restored to cover catastrophic issues, and not day-to-day needs.
Consistent results show a savings of $200K – $300K for a company with 100 employees. First Primary Care accomplishes this with a tiered service line beginning with a solid foundation of primary care. This base layer represents 65% of care and is free to the patient, without copays or other expenses. Generic prescriptions are free. The second level, 25% of care, is Guided Healthcare and demonstrates price transparency and cash pay by the plan for specialists, imaging, outpatient surgery and more. The final 10% is “Guided to Network” care for hospitalizations, ER visits, or catastrophic events. 
*****
Would this bring value to you, your family or your medical practice?
 Investable merits of this company? Let’s discuss in the forum.
 
If you are a physician or healthcare professional with an NPI number,
you can register for our private forum to join the discussion.
 
Sign up today! https://mergemedical.community.forum/
 
Timestamps:
03:40 –A STRONG FOUNDATION
06:30 – PRICE TRANSPARENCY
06:45 – TIERED APPROACH
07:28 – SELF-FUNDED EMPLOYERS
08:35 – THE ORIGINAL ROLE OF INSURANCE
11:25 – COST SAVINGS TO EMPLOYERS
15:20 – COST VS VALUE
16:05 – 65% BASE LAYER OF FREE HEALTHCARE
17:45 – GUIDED HEALTHCARE
19:30 – GUIDED TO NETWORK
21:05 – PLAN ADMINISTRATION
24:20 – EMPLOYER’S RISK
26:55 – STOP-LOSS CLAIM FUND SURPLUS
29:55 – WHY NOT REDESIGN INSURANCE?
34:30 – STARTING A PHYSICIAN LED INSURANCE COMPANY
40:50 – THE CHANGING ROLE OF BROKERS
47:18 – TPA (THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR) AS PARTNER
48:55 – PHARMACY SERVICES
54:30 – TEAM
57:25 – RPM (Remote Patient Monitoring)
59:45 – WHO IS YOUR CUSTOMER?
102:15 – GROWTH / NATIONAL FOOTPRINT
103:50 – THE BIG INSURERS: ARE THEY TOO BIG TO FAIL?
 
*****
DISCLAIMER: Merge Medical and the podcast hosts are providing this content for informational and entertainment purposes only and are not broker dealers or registered investment advisors. We are not providing investment or legal advice.

Beyond being a solid entrant to the DPC (direct primary care space) market, First Primary Care founder, Dr. Geetinder Goyal, and his team are on their way to forming a physician led insurance company that solves for healthcare industry’s terminal illness, the mega-carriers.
“Deep Dive″ or uncut version of our video podcast. Drs Jeff Brown and Jeff Cole interview Dr. Goyal, Founder of First Primary Care.
First Primary Care (FPC) grew both its membership and its revenue by more than 100% between 2023 and 2024. The vast majority of the 6000 members have onboarded through self-funded employer plans. These plans are comprised of a vertical stack of solutions designed to optimally benefit the patient, the employer, and the physician care team.
While many direct primary care (DPC) businesses are emerging, we are not aware of another DPC company has built a full stack health plan that includes a strong primary care base with integrated partners for cash pay specialists and services, a pharmacy benefit manager, TPAs (third party administrators), PPO network access, stop-loss insurance and distribution through brokers who are becoming more of a benefit advisor.
With a focus on price transparency, healthcare can become more stream-lined, and value can be measured. The incentives of the FPC physicians are aligned with that of the patient, health and prevention. The original role of insurance is restored to cover catastrophic issues, and not day-to-day needs.
Consistent results show a savings of $200K – $300K for a company with 100 employees. First Primary Care accomplishes this with a tiered service line beginning with a solid foundation of primary care. This base layer represents 65% of care and is free to the patient, without copays or other expenses. Generic prescriptions are free. The second level, 25% of care, is Guided Healthcare and demonstrates price transparency and cash pay by the plan for specialists, imaging, outpatient surgery and more. The final 10% is “Guided to Network” care for hospitalizations, ER visits, or catastrophic events. 
*****
Would this bring value to you, your family or your medical practice?
 Investable merits of this company? Let’s discuss in the forum.
 
If you are a physician or healthcare professional with an NPI number,
you can register for our private forum to join the discussion.
 
Sign up today! https://mergemedical.community.forum/
 
Timestamps:
03:40 –A STRONG FOUNDATION
06:30 – PRICE TRANSPARENCY
06:45 – TIERED APPROACH
07:28 – SELF-FUNDED EMPLOYERS
08:35 – THE ORIGINAL ROLE OF INSURANCE
11:25 – COST SAVINGS TO EMPLOYERS
15:20 – COST VS VALUE
16:05 – 65% BASE LAYER OF FREE HEALTHCARE
17:45 – GUIDED HEALTHCARE
19:30 – GUIDED TO NETWORK
21:05 – PLAN ADMINISTRATION
24:20 – EMPLOYER’S RISK
26:55 – STOP-LOSS CLAIM FUND SURPLUS
29:55 – WHY NOT REDESIGN INSURANCE?
34:30 – STARTING A PHYSICIAN LED INSURANCE COMPANY
40:50 – THE CHANGING ROLE OF BROKERS
47:18 – TPA (THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR) AS PARTNER
48:55 – PHARMACY SERVICES
54:30 – TEAM
57:25 – RPM (Remote Patient Monitoring)
59:45 – WHO IS YOUR CUSTOMER?
102:15 – GROWTH / NATIONAL FOOTPRINT
103:50 – THE BIG INSURERS: ARE THEY TOO BIG TO FAIL?
 
*****
DISCLAIMER: Merge Medical and the podcast hosts are providing this content for informational and entertainment purposes only and are not broker dealers or registered investment advisors. We are not providing investment or legal advice.

Healthcare has been criticized for its slow adoption of advanced technology, and independent doctors can lag even further behind the curve due to the reasonable fear of the financial, security, and administrative risks associated with implementing new and unproven technologies such as AI, digital therapeutics, and remote vital sign monitoring. The healthcare technology landscape is littered with vendors who don’t always have the physician or patient best-interest in mind.

“10 in 10” or quick-hitting version of our video podcast. Drs Jeff Brown and Jeff Cole interview Dr. Brittany Busse, Co-Founder of ViTel Health.

ViTel Health is a technology platform-as-a-service company that is empowering physicians to thrive in independent practice by creating and vetting technology solutions that are proven to improve the lives of physicians and the patients they in their care. ViTel Health was founded by Dr. Brittany Busse and Doug Sumaraga in 2021 with the mission “Happy Physicians, Healthy Patients.” Our current “sick care” system has taken the autonomy of physicians, left us burned out, and has decimated the care of patients. ViTel Health is using technology to turn the sick care system to healthcare system and partnering physicians with health coaches who can offer consistent support to patients struggling with chronic disease. It’s more than Remote Physiologic Monitoring, it’s Tech Enabled Health Coaching, and it gets results.

Patients are healthier, staying out of the hospital, and physician practices are thriving with the extra revenue combined with limited administrative work. ViTel Health has created a simple vertically-integrated solutions that handles all of the compliance, hiring, documentation, and billing associated with this billable service, empowering doctors to take better care of patients and earn extra revenue.

Beyond cutting edge RPM/CCM services, ViTel Health and the ViTel Health Physician Services Cooperative are committed to empowering the return of the independent physician practice in the US. Our services include an affordable and flexible EHR, cost effective credentialing/contracting, revenue cycle management, malpractice, legal advice, and more.

*****
Would this bring value to you, your family or your medical practice? Investable merits of this company? Let’s discuss in the forum. If you are a physician or healthcare professional with an NPI number, you can register for our private forum to join the discussion.

Sign up today! https://mergemedical.community.forum/

***** DISCLAIMER: Merge Medical and the podcast hosts are providing this content for informational and entertainment purposes only and are not broker dealers or registered investment advisors. We are not providing investment or legal advice. We will bring awareness to interesting projects and companies and then leave further discussion of the clinical and/or investable merits of these companies up to free discussion within the forum. Additionally, podcast participants (including the hosts) and Merge Medical forum members may or may not have a financial interest within the companies being interviewed or featured.