Description

Hey everyone, it’s Dr. Fred Bagares. In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of my recent trip to the 2025 Free Market Medical Association Conference in Oklahoma City. This wasn’t just any conference — it helped reignite a spark I’d been missing for a while. I reflect on how my path shifted from traditional medical associations to embracing the direct care model, and how stepping away from the status quo has brought both pushback and empowerment.

If you're a clinician frustrated with red tape, or a patient tired of navigating insurance barriers, this episode is for you. I share why I believe the future of healthcare lies in returning to a direct relationship between the patient and provider — and what it felt like to be in a room full of people who actually get it.

🔑 Episode Highlights & Timestamps:

• [00:32] – Why I stopped attending traditional specialty conferences
• [01:55] – Burnout, red tape, and the moment I needed change
• [02:47] – Enter the direct care model: a shift in purpose
• [04:07] – Attending the PM&R conference but feeling uninspired
• [05:02] – First impressions of the Free Market Medical Association Conference
• [05:52] – Who was in the room and what made it different
• [06:33] – Everyone agrees: the system is broken
• [07:00] – Learning about the players behind insurance-driven care
• [08:03] – Feeling seen, understood, and validated
• [09:07] – The skepticism (and quiet curiosity) from my peers
• [10:00] – My telemedicine startup before COVID — and how no one believed in it
• [10:40] – The more people doubt me, the more I know I’m onto something
• [11:04] – Where are the national conversations about healthcare delivery?
• [11:56] – A room full of innovators and disruptors
• [12:12] – Meeting future physicians: students who want to think differently
• [13:00] – Expanding Talking Rehab to cover more on direct care
• [13:04] – What direct care really means to me

This one is straight from the heart. If you're thinking about doing things differently — whether you're a doc, a student, or just someone who wants better care — I hope this gives you a little motivation. Thanks for listening and letting me share this journey with you.

📲 Follow me for more:

• Instagram: @drfredbagares
• YouTube: Dr. Fred Bagares
• Linktree: linktr.ee/drfredbagares

#DirectCare #HealthcareReform #TalkingRehab #FreeMarketMedicine #PMR #Physiatry #MedicalInnovation #PatientFirst

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