The best social sharing snippet from this interview… “let me put one myth aside real quick, and that is to receive health care. You do not have to have health insurance.”
In this episode, I sit down with Harlon Pickett, health care consultant, to discuss alternatives to traditional health insurance for freelancers and small business owners. He shares options like direct primary care, medical cost-sharing, and why you don’t need traditional health insurance to get great care. If you’re ready to rethink your health care strategy, this episode is packed with valuable insights.
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I recently had the chance to chat with Harlon Pickett, a health care consultant with an interesting approach to health insurance, especially for freelancers, small business owners, and anyone who doesn’t fit the corporate mold. We dove into a world I knew very little about, but Harlon’s expertise shed light on options that could be game-changers for people like me—people who don’t get sick often but still need a plan for when life happens.
Do You Really Need Traditional Health Insurance?
One of the standout moments from our conversation was Harlon busting a common myth: you don’t have to have health insurance to receive health care. Yep, you read that right. While health insurance is often seen as the safety net, Harlon pointed out that insurance companies can sometimes limit your options and, in extreme cases, deny treatments that you and your doctor know you need. This has led many people to explore alternatives like medical cost-sharing, co-ops, and direct primary care.
Health Insurance vs. Health Care
Here’s a takeaway: health insurance and health care are two very different things. Health insurance often dictates where you can go, who you can see, and even what treatments are available. Meanwhile, health care itself is a broader concept. In some cases, especially if you pay cash or belong to a medical cost-sharing group, you can actually get better care for a fraction of the cost.
One thing that stuck with me was Harlon’s example of surgery costs. A knee replacement at a traditional hospital might cost upwards of $79,000, but by using an independent surgery center with better scores and lower overhead, you could get the same surgery bundled with physical therapy for around $14,000. It’s crazy how much we assume insurance is necessary for quality care when there are affordable alternatives available.
Direct Primary Care: The Old-School Doctor-Patient Relationship, Reimagined
For day-to-day health needs, Harlon is a big advocate of Direct Primary Care (DPC)—a membership-based model where you pay a flat monthly fee (around $70) for unlimited visits with your doctor. This model brings back the kind of personal care we’ve lost in today’s fast-paced health system. Instead of seven rushed minutes with a doctor who barely knows you, DPC doctors take the time to build a relationship with you, which allows for better care and fewer unnecessary referrals.
Harlon mentioned how DPC doctors can handle 80–90% of medical issues themselves, eliminating the need for referrals to specialists unless absolutely necessary. They are also independent from insurance companies, meaning their main goal is your well-being, not quotas or profits. It’s a simple but revolutionary approach that’s gaining traction, especially among freelancers and small business owners who don’t have employer-sponsored insurance.
Medical Cost Sharing: A Smarter Way to Manage Big Health Bills
For those larger, unexpected medical expenses, medical cost sharing is a strong alternative. It’s not insurance, but it functions similarly, pooling resources from a group of like-minded individuals to cover major costs like surgeries or hospital stays. While it’s not for everyone, it’s a solution that’s worth exploring if you’re healthy and looking for protection against catastrophic events.
Why Your Health Insurance Might Be Holding You Back
Harlon also pointed out something shocking: over 50% of bankruptcies due to medical bills occur in households where the person had health insurance. The takeaway? Having insurance isn’t always the financial safeguard we think it is. Between high deductibles and denied claims, it can often feel like you’re paying for a service that’s not really there when you need it most. This made me rethink my entire perspective on why we rely so heavily on traditional insurance and what real protection looks like.
A Smarter Way to Navigate Health Care
By the end of our conversation, it was clear that health insurance is not a one-size-fits-all solution. For freelancers like me, options like DPC and medical cost sharing offer flexibility and a more personalized approach. Whether you’re healthy now or concerned about the future, exploring alternatives could not only save you money but also give you the kind of care that traditional insurance often fails to deliver.
If you’re in a similar boat and want to explore how to control your health care costs without the limitations of traditional insurance, I highly recommend looking into these alternatives. Harlon’s company, Eagle Care Health Solutions, offers a mix of options, including direct primary care memberships and cost-sharing programs tailored for small business owners and freelancers.
The Takeaway
You don’t have to have traditional health insurance to get great health care. There are alternatives out there.
Feeling like you’re paying too much for health insurance that doesn’t serve you? It might be time to rethink your approach to health care. Reach out to Harlon Pickett at EagleCareHealth.com for expert advice on how to take control of your health care without breaking the bank. Whether it’s finding a Direct Primary Care physician or exploring cost-sharing options, there are better ways to ensure your health and financial peace of mind.
