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Consultant to Patient – 2 Weeks Until Surgery

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This past Friday, October 22nd, marked the two-week countdown until my hip surgery. With that, comes a multitude of emotions, some of which were documented in a video over the weekend.

In that video, I explained that there are of course concerns surrounding the clinical nature of my surgery, but that I intend to discuss those concerns in a later video. For now, I focused on the concerns surrounding getting everything done with limited time to do so, as well as the various things I have been thinking about post operatively. Remember, this will be the third time having this surgery, so I am well versed on what to expect.

As the weather begins to change and gradually transition toward winter, I have multiple household tasks that need to be accomplished. Although there is a need, finding time to accomplish those tasks can be next to impossible. We have spent our weekends at the ballpark, watching my son and his travel baseball team compete. This is not limited to games just in Buffalo, but recently to Sandusky, Ohio and upcoming to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Beyond the necessary household tasks that need to be accomplished, I also need time for just the regular household tasks, such as house cleaning or lawn cutting. However, I also want time to work out, ensuring I am in the best shape I can be prior to surgery, and of course, spend quality time with my son. I mean, who else is going to work with him on his hitting and pitching, or humble him by kicking his butt in one-on-one basketball?

As much as I would like to have everything done with the house before surgery, I likely will not, and just need to accept it. I would love to have all the garden beds fully weeded out, but if it must wait until Spring, the world won’t come to an end.

Other concerns that have crossed my mind, are various thoughts surrounding life post-operatively. As mentioned above, I am a veteran when it comes to hip surgery, going in for the third time. Much of my concerns are regarding the limited mobility I will possess because of being on crutches for a while. It makes me pause and think about how to plan accordingly. For example, the week of surgery, I will purchase extra food, preventing the need to go grocery shopping. Then, I can always explore Instacart the next time. Also, as I get closer, I need to remind my son how to use the washer and dryer. I will make sure all the laundry is done the day before surgery, but that will only last so long. As I get more mobile on the crutches, I can hop down into the basement with him, to guide him with what to do. Similarly, I will need his help with getting the garbage out, vacuuming, etc. So, in the interim, I am letting him slack a bit, knowing he will have to step it up for a while.

Although the above thoughts can be a bit anxiety ridden, there’s some very good news in all of it as well. For one, as a healthcare consultant, I have always maintained the opinion that the times I am a patient help me be a better healthcare professional. It provides me with better insight and empathy from the perspective of the patient, and how I can use that insight to further my intentions for improving healthcare. Other good news is that in the big picture, it’s just hip surgery. It isn’t brain, heart, or cancer surgery. Therefore, I feel very blessed. And, as mentioned in my video, I will continue to trust my unknown future to a known God.

Fighting to Lower Health Plan Costs!

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From the humble Buffalo suburb of Cheektowaga to the owner of a large health plan, consisting of 400,000 members and clients such as the University of Notre Dame, Dunkin Donuts and Fisher-Price Toys, Ron Zoeller knows all there is to know about health insurance.

Similarly, his business partner, Kevin Gannon, one of eight children raised in Lackawanna, New York, rose from his beginnings as a broker of life insurance, to owning and selling his own brokerage, to joining Ron in the development of Azeros Health Plans in 2019.

As the only Managing General Administrator in the Self-Funded health insurance industry, Azeros is about more than selling employer health plans. Using their combined years’ worth of experience, they are seeking to partner with employers to seek solutions that improve their bottom line and positively benefit their employees. Companies possessing 100+ employees will benefit in becoming self-funded by removing the “fat” that goes toward health insurance admin and brokerage fees. Instead, they will pay dollar-for-dollar toward their expenses, ultimately saving significantly on their health plan costs.

Transitioning companies to self-funded health insurance isn’t the only way Ron and Kevin are saving money for their clients. Additionally, they employ the practice of Reference Based Pricing (RBP), as well as a prescription benefits management program that is saving employers as much as 30% on prescription costs! Never heard of RBP? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Typically, in-patient charges can result in charges that are 250-400% of Medicare. Through Reference Based Pricing, Azeros works to obtain charges that are 150-200% of Medicare, half of what they typically would be!

Interested to learn more about what Ron and Kevin and the Azeros team can do for your company? Listen to this video to learn more, as well as head to their website at www.azeros1.com There, you can use a tool they have named the “Under-Righter”, to see what savings you may be able to achieve. Under 100 employees? That’s okay, they can still assist your organization as a fully insured employer, including still being able to assist with the significant prescription medicine savings! And yes, even if your company has already renewed their annual plan, they can assist you at any time!

Listen in as Ron and Kevin discuss their backgrounds, what they’re working on now, and how Azeros and Cornerstone are collaborating to help both employers and physicians! Also, stick around for the end, when Ron tells us the story of when the Bills almost left Buffalo, and how he influenced them staying.