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Disruptive Dialogue with Chuck Melendi

Chuck Melendi
Medicare
Private Health Insurance
Medicare Advantage
Mental Health
Affordable Care Act
Healthcare
Unitedhealth Group
Hospital Price Transparency Rule
Health Insurance
Traditional Medicare
Insurance Companies
Prior Authorization
Medigyap
Medical Billing
Congress
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Hospitals
Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services
Open Enrollment
Private Equity

The healthcare system in our country is broken. It is time to fight for change, and to do it together. Tune in as retired industry executive Chuck Melendi and Disruptive Dialogue explore how healthcare corporations are sticking it to patients, providers and businesses. You need to know what is really going on in our overpriced and underperforming healthcare system. Consumers and their employers pa... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes35Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MedicineHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for Disruptive Dialogue

Latest Episodes

Did you know that the federal poverty level was built on grocery price data from 1955 — and has never been updated to reflect how we live in America today?

In this episode, Chuck sits down with Doug Griesenauer, VP of Community Impact at United Way... more

One in three Americans carries medical debt — and most of them have health insurance. In this episode, Chuck talks with Eva Marie Stahl of Undue Medical Debt about why insurance isn't protecting patients the way it should, what to do when the bills p... more

Private insurance companies are increasingly moving into veterans' healthcare and, according to health policy expert Dr. Rachel Madley, the consequences could reshape one of America’s most successful public healthcaresystems.

In this week’s episode,... more

The system controlling prescription drug pricing was designed to save money. Instead, it's costing employers billions. In this episode, Chuck sits down with Ryan Rice, CEO of Prism Health Group and former senior executive at Express Scripts and Navit... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Rachel Madley
Health policy expert; Executive Director, Center for Health and Democracy
Center for Health and Democracy
Episode: The Privatization of Veterans' Healthcare | ft. Dr. Rachel Madley
Dr. Shawn Baca
Rheumatologist and advocate
Physician, advocate in Florida and at the federal level
Episode: Private Equity Is Taking Over Your Doctor’s Office — Here’s What It Costs You | ft. Dr. Shawn Baca
Meredith Hirsh
Host of Working Healthcare with Meredith Hirsh
Working Healthcare with Meredith Hirsh
Episode: Inside the Administrative Machine Breaking Private Practice (ft. Meredith Hirsh)
Olga Khabinskay
Director of Operations at WCH Service Bureau
WCH Service Bureau
Episode: Why Doctors Struggle to Get Paid: The Hidden Crisis in Medical Billing & Insurance Denials | ft. Olga Khabinskay
Wendell Potter
Former head of communications for major insurers; whistleblower
Center for Health and Democracy (discussed)
Episode: Why Health Insurance Still Bankrupts Americans | Wendell Potter (Ep. 1 of 2)
Tracy Otto
Paralympian, survivor of violent attack, advocate
US Paralympic program advocate; Tracy Otto LA 2028 Fund campaign
Episode: From Attack Survivor to Paralympian: Tracy Otto and Ricky Riessle on Advocacy and Navigating the Healthcare System
Rick Riessle
Fiancé and full-time caregiver
Partner of Tracy Otto
Episode: From Attack Survivor to Paralympian: Tracy Otto and Ricky Riessle on Advocacy and Navigating the Healthcare System
Dr. Seth Glickman
Former chief medical officer at Intermountain Health (UT) and Blue Shield of California; healthcare finance researcher and advocate
Seth Glickman Advisors
Episode: The Business of Denial: How Healthcare Became a Profit Machine | ft. Dr. Seth Glickman
Val Barschaw
Author of Surviving the Hospital
Author/Patient Advocate
Episode: Surviving the Hospital - 6 Secrets Every Patient Should Know (ft. Val Barschaw) | Healthcare 101 Ep. 6

Host

Chuck Melendi
Host of Disruptive Dialogue

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 25 ratings
  • Awesome!

    I am learning so much I didn’t know. I hope you continue so that I can better understand healthcare in our country

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lorna mom
    United Statesa year ago
  • Shining a Light!

    This show is shining a light on the issues with our healthcare system. The host is covering important topics and you can see the passion he has on these issues. I hope more people listen so many of these issues can get attention and people take action to solve some of these problems.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tampa Author
    United Statesa year ago
  • Congrats Chuck!

    Interesting, informative and well run podcast! Fair and balanced assessment of Rx and insurance industries! All the best with future PC’s!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    wghayek
    United Statesa year ago
  • Blown Away!

    Came across this podcast and quickly subscribed! I can’t wait for the deep dives into the healthcare industry. I think it’ll be a fantastic resource to us.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    woosh!
    United Statesa year ago
  • Wake Up Call America’s Broken Healthcare System

    Wonderful! This podcast helped me understand why drug costs are so high and why it’s so difficult to find good healthcare at an affordable rate. I look forward to listening to future podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    808Stan
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are consistently credible experts offering insider perspectives.
The content can feel urgent and reform-minded, sometimes rallying listeners to action.
Listeners appreciate clear, actionable takeaways for advocates and practitioners.
The host is seen as bold, unapologetic, and deeply knowledgeable.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why It’s Getting Harder to Find a Doctor in America (ft. Dr. Andrew Weinstein) | Disruptive Dialogue Ep. 14
Q: What reforms could realistically stabilize private practice and patient access?
An inflation-based adjustment to the conversion factor, stopping overpayments to Medicare Advantage when they are misaligned with actual costs, and addressing budget neutrality to allow physician pay and office operations to keep pace with inflation.
Why It’s Getting Harder to Find a Doctor in America (ft. Dr. Andrew Weinstein) | Disruptive Dialogue Ep. 14
Q: How did the physician fee schedule and Medicare reimbursement come to shape the current clinical landscape?
The guest explains that Medicare sets RVUs and a conversion factor that determine reimbursements; private insurers piggyback on these metrics, which have not kept pace with inflation, forcing many offices to reduce staff, raise patient co-pays, or close altogether, reshaping access to private practice.
A Father-Daughter Conversation on Mental Health & Parenting (ft. Crosby Melendi) | Disruptive Dialogue Ep. 12
Q: How should parents approach conversations about mental health with their kids?
The hosts stress empathy over judgment, listening first, avoiding 'fix-it' impulses, and involving both parents or trusted adults to share the emotional load rather than flagging blame.
A Father-Daughter Conversation on Mental Health & Parenting (ft. Crosby Melendi) | Disruptive Dialogue Ep. 12
Q: What helped you start managing anxiety and seeking help?
She explains starting therapy in college, finding a compatible therapist, and continuing with therapy for years, along with lifestyle changes and communication with family.
A Father-Daughter Conversation on Mental Health & Parenting (ft. Crosby Melendi) | Disruptive Dialogue Ep. 12
Q: When did you first realize you were dealing with mental health struggles, Crosby?
Crosby describes an early memory of intense sadness and anxiety starting in eighth grade, with a gradual realization that symptoms persisted into later life, and the importance of therapy in college.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Disruptive Dialogue

What is Disruptive Dialogue about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show relentlessly analyzes how profit motives intersect with patient care in the U.S. healthcare system. Across episodes, listeners hear from policy experts, practicing physicians, and patient advocates who dissect topics like privatization of public health programs, Medicare and Medigap dynamics, hospital and insurer consolidation, PBMs, and the hidden costs of administrative burden. The conversations often connect policy proposals to real-world impact, offering actionable advocacy steps and concrete reform ideas. A distinguishing element is its outspoken, reform-driven stance, with guests who bring insider perspectives and practical experience, making complex health-policy topics accessible to both industry insiders and engaged lay li... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Disruptive Dialogue?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Disruptive Dialogue:

1. The Daily
2. Pivot
3. On with Kara Swisher

How many episodes of Disruptive Dialogue are there?

Disruptive Dialogue launched a year ago and published 35 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Disruptive Dialogue?

Recent guests on Disruptive Dialogue include:

1. Dr. Rachel Madley
2. Dr. Shawn Baca
3. Meredith Hirsh
4. Olga Khabinskay
5. Wendell Potter
6. Tracy Otto
7. Rick Riessle
8. Dr. Seth Glickman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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