Send us a text The mysterious world behind your healthcare bills just got a whole lot clearer. Rachel Strauss, dubbed the "PBM Princess" and CEO of her eponymous healthcare consulting firm, pulls back the curtain on the complex systems determining what treatments you can access and how much you'll pay. Drawing from over two decades in pharmacy benefit management, Rachel delivers eye-opening insights into why certain medications are covered while others aren't, and sometimes why more expensive drugs are preferred over cheaper alternatives. Her mission? Making healthcare more affordable, accessible, and collaborative by bridging the gap between patients, providers, and payers. The conversation takes a compelling turn when Rachel shares a recent success story—sourcing growth hormone medication from Israel at a 70% discount for a child whose treatment was capped by insurance. This exemplifies her approach to healthcare advocacy: finding creative, legal solutions when traditional systems fall short. She's also partnering with innovative companies like Leafwell Health to integrate cannabis consultations as alternatives to opioids, legitimizing treatments that insurance companies have been slow to embrace. Rachel's perspective is refreshingly human-centered in an industry dominated by corporate interests and complex systems. When evaluating potential partners, she looks beyond buzzwords to understand the story behind the company and ensures their revenue model aligns with patient outcomes rather than exploitation. Her prediction that AI will transform healthcare through more precise risk assessment offers hope for a future where healthcare dollars are allocated more effectively. Whether you're struggling with medical bills, denied treatments, or simply trying to understand your insurance options, Rachel's insights provide valuable guidance for navigating the healthcare maze. Connect with her on LinkedIn as Rachel Strauss, PBM Princess, or find her on Instagram and TikTok to learn how to become your own healthcare advocate in a system designed to be difficult to navigate. Intro for podcast information about subscriptions Support the show Support for Joe's Cure Here is the link for Sunday's 4 pm Pacific time Zoom meeting
