Get Savvy...Demystifying Healthcare

Hosted by Sandy Kibling

Business Education Health Fitness

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Episodes

145

Latest episode

Sep 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Are you tired of the high cost of healthcare? Are you overwhelmed trying to navigate a complicated healthcare system? Welcome to Get Savvy…Demystifying Healthcare a weekly pod cast where we take complicated healthcare topics and make them simple.Imagine…if you could stop feeling paralyzed with FEAR and FRUSTRATION, and instead be EMPOWERED to make Smart Healthcare decisions for you and your family?Get Savvy with your host Sandy Kibling, a healthcare professional changing how healthcare knowledge is shared. Want to be a guest on Get Savvy...Demystifying Healthcare? Send Sandy Kibling a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/getsavvydemystifyinghealthcare

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 1, 202632 min

Episode 146: Stretch n’ Release: The Brain Hack for Chronic Pain with Butch Phelps

Send us Fan Mail Does stretching feel like a tug-of-war with your own body? Sandy Kibling welcomes functional massage therapist and Stretch and Release creator Butch Phelps to explore his approach to muscle tension, movement, and everyday aches. Butch shares how his experience with severe back pain led him to study massage, stretching, and aging—and why he encourages people to pay attention to their daily habits. Their conversation covers Butch’s emphasis on relaxation rather than force, the sitting habits he asks clients to examine, and his approach to making home practice manageable. Sandy also shares her experience with physical therapy and how understanding the purpose of a stretch helped it make sense. Hear about Butch’s instructional videos, his book Stretch and Release, and a recurring theme throughout the episode: small steps taken consistently over time. 3 Key Takeaways Notice your daily patterns. Butch encourages listeners to consider how sitting, working, and other routines relate to the tension they experience. Relaxation is central to his approach. Stretch and Release emphasizes breathing and gentle practice rather than pulling harder. Keep the habit manageable. Butch recommends learning gradually and practicing consistently instead of trying to master everything in one day. Resources: Butch Phelps - Website Stretch and Release: The Missing Piece to a More Pain Free Life Playbook AI Partners Free Webinar 10/14/2026 From To-Do To Done: 3 AI Plays to Take Busywork Off Your Plate The Huddle: October Sessions: Finding The Right Tool and Build Your Digital Business Navigator **If you missed any of the sessions check the website for new sessions posted regularly. Want to be a guest on Get Savvy...Demystifying Healthcare? Send Sandy Kibling a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/getsavvydemystifyinghealthcare #podmatch Support the show

September 23, 202624 min

Episode 145: Stop and Compare: Don't 'Just Keep' Your Medicare Plan Without Doing This First

Send us Fan Mail Thinking of keeping your Medicare plan for another year? That may be the right choice, but it’s worth checking whether the plan still fits. During open enrollment, changes to costs, covered medications, provider networks, and your own healthcare needs can affect the answer. Sandy Kibling talks with Medicare Broker Krista Hugenberg about how to look past the commercials and focus on what matters to you. Krista explains what to look for in your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), why a current medication and provider list helps, and which questions to bring to a plan review. They also discuss how an independent broker works with clients and caregivers. Listen for a practical way to prepare before you decide to stay with your plan or explore another option. 3 Key Takeaways Review before you renew. Check your plan’s costs, drug coverage, provider network, and benefits against your current needs. Start with the Annual Notice of Change. It helps you spot plan changes that deserve a closer look. Bring a medication and provider list. Those details make a conversation with a broker more useful. Resources: H5Healthcare Consulting Playbook AI Partners Playbook AI Partners - The Huddle - October Sessions Want to be a guest on Get Savvy...Demystifying Healthcare? Send Sandy Kibling a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/getsavvydemystifyinghealthcare #podmatch Support the show

September 17, 202629 min

Episode 144: Both Sides of The Bed: The Nurse Who Tells Caregivers What the Healthcare System Won’t

Send us Fan Mail Becoming a caregiver can feel like accepting a full-time job for which you never applied—and never received any training. Suddenly, you’re expected to manage medications, appointments, insurance requirements and life-changing decisions while also coping with fear, exhaustion and grief. In this episode, Sandy speaks with registered nurse, functional medicine health coach, caregiver coach and author Tiffany Auvil about what she learned while caring for her husband, Dave, during his experience with two different cancers. Tiffany shares how she uncovered a coding error that nearly delayed his immunotherapy, why caregivers need organized medical information and how to ask questions when something doesn’t make sense. She also offers practical guidance for tracking medications, communicating with providers, investigating insurance denials and giving yourself grace during an incredibly difficult season. It’s a compassionate, candid conversation about becoming an informed partner in someone’s care—without expecting yourself to handle everything perfectly. 3 Key Takeaways A denial deserves another question. Ask why something was denied, contact the insurance company and verify that the correct diagnosis and procedure or medication information was submitted. Keep essential information in one place. Maintain current medication lists, medical orders, provider information, test results and insurance details in whatever system works for you. Caregivers need grace and support, too. You’re learning a demanding role under stressful circumstances, and anticipatory grief, mistakes and emotional exhaustion can all be part of the experience. Resources: Tiffany Auvil’s Website No BS Guide for Caregivers: How to Survive the Healthcare Maze Playbook AI Partners Playbook AI Partners - Podcast Join Us September 23rd 2026 for - "AI, That’s Not What I Meant!" - Free Webinar #Podmatch Support the show

September 11, 202630 min

Episode 143: Speak Up at the Doctor’s Office: What Matters Most

Send us Fan Mail What happens in the exam room can shape much more than a diagnosis or treatment plan. The questions patients ask, the concerns they share, and the trust they build with their providers can all influence their healthcare decisions. In this episode, Sandy speaks with Dr. Emily Boss, a pediatric ENT surgeon and researcher at Johns Hopkins, about how communication affects the care patients and families receive. Dr. Boss explains how patients can prepare for an appointment, organize their medical history, communicate their biggest concern, and distinguish between medical evidence, clinical guidelines, and a provider’s professional opinion. She also discusses how patient portals and emerging AI tools can support—not replace—the human relationship at the center of healthcare. You’ll leave with practical ways to speak up, ask better questions, and become a more confident partner in your care. Key Takeaways: Lead with what matters most. Tell your provider what brought you to the appointment, what worries you most, and what answer you hope to leave with. Organize the important details. A concise timeline, medication list, test results, and relevant records can help your provider understand the situation more quickly. Technology should support human care. Patient portals, AI-powered information tools, and medical scribes can improve access and create more room for meaningful conversation—but human judgment and connection remain essential. Resources: Emily Boss Website Playbook AI Partners Playbook AI Partners - Podcast Join Us September 23rd 2026 for - "AI, That’s Not What I Meant!" - Free Webinar Want to be a guest on Get Savvy...Demystifying Healthcare? Send Sandy Kibling a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/getsavvydemystifyinghealthcare #podmatch Support the show

September 3, 202628 min

Episode 142: The Prepared Patient: Your Guide to Navigating Healthcare

Send us Fan Mail Is the American healthcare system truly broken—or has it simply become too complex for patients and physicians to navigate? In this episode, Sandy Kibling talks with Dr. Terry Adirim, a board-certified pediatric emergency physician, physician executive, healthcare advisor, and author of The Prepared Patient: Your Guide to Surviving the Healthcare System . Drawing on more than 30 years of experience, Dr. Adirim explains why patients face long waits, rushed appointments, confusing insurance rules, denied care, and mounting costs. You’ll learn how to prepare for medical appointments, find the right provider, understand the difference between an explanation of benefits and an actual bill, and advocate for yourself when a claim or charge doesn’t look right. Dr. Adirim also discusses the growth of concierge and direct-pay medicine, the pressures facing physicians, and why technology alone cannot repair the healthcare system. Her message is reassuring and direct: It’s not you—it’s the system. But becoming an informed and prepared patient can help you make better decisions for yourself and your family. 3 Key Takeaways: Preparation changes the patient experience. Decide what you need from an appointment, write down your questions, and bring an advocate when you’re receiving complicated or difficult information. Learn the language of health insurance. Understanding premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, networks, bills, and explanations of benefits helps you compare plans and avoid costly misunderstandings. You have the right to ask questions and challenge decisions. Request itemized bills, question incorrect charges, appeal denied claims, and speak up when you believe your care is urgent. Resources: Dr. Terry Adirim - Website The Prepared Patient - Book Playbook AI Partners Playbook AI Partners - Podcast Join Us September 23rd 2026 for - "AI, That’s Not What I Meant!" - Free Webinar Want to be a guest on Get Savvy...Demystifying Healthcare? Send Sandy Kibling a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/getsavvydemystifyinghealthcare #podmatch Support the show

August 31, 202631 min

Episode 141: From Corporate to Nonprofit: Dan Cosgrove's Fight to Fix Broken Employee Healthcare

Send us Fan Mail Healthcare spending has climbed from roughly 5% of U.S. GDP in the 1960s to nearly 17% today, and for many employers it's become one of the largest, least predictable costs of running a business. Most business owners feel stuck: premiums keep climbing, the system is confusing, and it's hard to know whether there's any real alternative to just absorbing the increase every year. In this episode, Sandy talks with Dan Cosgrove, CEO of the nonprofit Better Benefits USA , about the structural incentives that keep healthcare costs high and what employers can actually do about it. Dan shares how he cut his own company's healthcare costs by $3,600 per employee while improving their benefits, walks through the tax code (Section 125) that makes preventative care programs possible, and breaks down real case studies — from a 35-person group that saved $312,000 to a strategy some larger employers use involving spousal coverage and marketplace subsidies. It's a practical, numbers-driven conversation for any employer or HR leader who suspects there's a better way to handle benefits but isn't sure where to start. 3 Key Takeaways Broker incentives can work against employers. Many brokers are paid by insurance companies, sometimes based on how much a client spends — which can misalign what gets recommended with what actually saves the client money. A specific tax code (Section 125) can lower costs for both sides. Preventative care programs built on this code can save employers around $600–700 per employee per year while giving employees benefits like free virtual healthcare, accident plans, blood panels, and prescriptions — plus a net pay increase from reduced taxable income. Reducing taxable income can unlock marketplace subsidies. For employees earning under the subsidy cliff (around $63,000), lowering their taxable income through these programs can qualify them for significantly cheaper marketplace health insurance — in one case study, cutting a 35-person group's costs by $312,000. Resources: BetterBenefitsUSA Playbook AI Partners Want to be a guest on Get Savvy...Demystifying Healthcare? Send Sandy Kibling a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/getsavvydemystifyinghealthcare Support the show

August 21, 202631 min

Episode 140: Are Your Teeth Making You Sick? The Hidden Mouth–Body Connection

Send us Fan Mail Could an infection in your mouth affect more than your teeth and gums—even when nothing hurts? In this episode of Get Savvy…Demystifying Healthcare , Sandy talks with Dr. Charles “Chuck” Reinertsen about the often-overlooked connection between dental health and whole-body health. Dr. Chuck explains why the absence of pain doesn’t necessarily mean your mouth is healthy and why dental and medical care should not be treated as entirely separate worlds. You’ll hear practical ways to become more proactive about your oral health, including getting a thorough dental examination, cleaning between your teeth, using disclosing tablets to identify missed bacteria, and asking your healthcare providers better questions. Dr. Chuck also discusses his book, Are Your Teeth Making You Sick? The Answer Is Right Under Your Nose , and shares a simple message for every family: caring for your mouth is an important part of caring for your entire body. 3 Key Takeaways No pain doesn’t automatically mean no problem. Some dental infections and gum disease can develop without an obvious toothache, making regular dental examinations important. Thorough cleaning takes more than a quick brushing. Cleaning between the teeth with floss, an interproximal brush, or directed water irrigation can help remove bacteria a toothbrush may miss. Dental and medical health should be discussed together. Ask your dentist and physician how your oral health may relate to your overall health, especially when managing ongoing medical concerns. Resources: The Dental Medical Convergence Are Your Teeth Making You Sick? Playbook AI Partners Playbook AI Partners Podcast Join Playbook AI Partners Membership Community - The Huddle FREE - September 2026 - 2 AI Live Sessions and One AI Training Camp - Click To Learn More Want to be a guest on Get Savvy...Demystifying Healthcare? Send Sandy Kibling a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/getsavvydemystifyinghealthcare Support the show

August 14, 202632 min

Episode 139: Beyond the Myths: What Hypnotherapy Really Does

Send us Fan Mail Hypnosis is often portrayed as mind control, manipulation, or entertainment—but clinical hypnotherapist Craig Meriwether says therapeutic hypnosis is something very different. Drawing from his personal experience with depression and anxiety and more than 16 years of professional work, Craig joins Sandy to explain how hypnotherapy helps people access emotional patterns beneath the conscious mind. In this conversation, Craig discusses the protective role of the subconscious, why past experiences may continue to influence present-day reactions, and how hypnotherapy may help people examine and change patterns connected to anxiety, fear, trauma, pain, and limiting beliefs. He also shares a powerful client story, addresses common misconceptions, and explains why hypnosis is intended to help people regain a sense of control—not surrender it. 3 Key Takeaways Hypnotherapy is not mind control. It uses focused relaxation and therapeutic techniques to help people explore subconscious patterns while remaining in control. The subconscious mind often develops protective responses from past experiences, but those responses may no longer be helpful in a person’s present life. Lasting change may require more than consciously understanding a problem; it can also involve addressing the emotional patterns and beliefs beneath it. Resources: CraigMeriwether - Website ReleaseThePast.com Playbook AI Partners Playbook AI Partners Podcast Support the show

August 7, 202629 min

Episode 138: More Than Memory: Navigating Dementia, Caregiving & the Road Ahead

Send us Fan Mail When dementia enters a family, it can change far more than memory—it can affect personality, judgment, independence, relationships, finances, and the lives of everyone providing care. In this episode, Sandy talks with licensed clinical social worker and Compassion Works founder Kay Adams, who brings more than 30 years of experience in geriatrics, hospice, palliative care, dementia, and caregiver support. Kay explains some of the early changes families should watch for, why getting an evaluation and diagnosis can be so important, and why planning ahead with advanced directives, education, and support can help families navigate what comes next. Kay also shares an important message for caregivers: you cannot—and should not—try to do this alone. From building a “care community” and asking for help early to preparing for changes before a crisis occurs. Kay offers practical guidance for families facing one of life’s most challenging journeys. She also discusses her work through CompassionWorks and her book Bedside Witness , which uses real-life caregiving stories to educate, encourage, and validate the often-unsung heroes caring for people living with dementia and other serious illnesses. Resources: Kay Adams Website Bedside Witness: Stories of Hope, Healing and Humanity Playbook AI Partners Playbook AI Partners - Podcast AI Tool Fit Check - Free Guide Want to be a guest on Get Savvy...Demystifying Healthcare? Send Sandy Kibling a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/getsavvydemystifyinghealthcare Support the show

July 31, 202630 min

Episode 137: Navigating Healthcare for Your Pets: More Tail Wags and Empowered Pet Parents

Send us Fan Mail Navigating healthcare can feel overwhelming—not only for ourselves, but also for the pets we consider family. In this episode, Sandy talks with Dr. Kevin Toman, a veterinarian with nearly 40 years of experience and a special interest in orthopedic care, cancer care, chronic pain, and pet longevity. Dr. Kevin shares his candid perspective on what is changing within traditional veterinary medicine, why many pet parents are questioning rising costs and recommended services, and how the loss of the veterinarian–pet parent relationship may be affecting trust and care. Dr. Kevin also explains the four pillars of his pet-longevity framework: diet and lifestyle, a trusted local veterinarian, scientifically supported supplements, and prescription longevity medications. He challenges common assumptions about popular joint supplements, discusses evidence-based alternatives for inflammation and orthopedic discomfort, and offers practical steps pet parents can take at home to support healthier aging. This informative conversation will help you ask better questions, separate marketing claims from science, and make more confident decisions that may give your pet more healthy years—and more tail wags. Resources: TheLongevityvet.com Freevetcall Playbook AI Partners - Your Source for AI Solutions without Overwhelm Want to be a guest on Get Savvy...Demystifying Healthcare? Send Sandy Kibling a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/getsavvydemystifyinghealthcare Support the show