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The Direct Care Podcast For Specialists
The Direct Care Podcast For Specialists
Author: Tea Nguyen, DPM
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© 2026 Coaching with Tea, LLC
Description
Learn why and how to start an insurance-free, hassle-free Direct Specialty Care practice that lets you provide care your way for your patients without middlemen hosted by Dr. Tea Nguyen.
181 Episodes
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Send a text Feeling stuck in your direct care practice? Maybe leaving insurance isn’t “working” the way you thought it would. I get it—this isn’t just about logistics; it’s about identity. In this episode, I break down the four things that could be holding your practice back: controlling overhead, getting more people to know you, refining your offer, and shifting your mindset to step fully into direct care. Plus, I share journal prompts and practical strategies to help you reclaim your ...
Send a text Confused about high ticket packages vs. memberships in private practice? This episode breaks down the key differences and when to use each for maximum revenue stability and better patient care. Learn how to structure premium offers, avoid common pricing mistakes, and build a sustainable direct care medical practice with smarter business strategy and recurring revenue models. Support the show Ethical Selling Masterclass register here Join The Direct Care Society The C...
Send a text Support the show Ethical Selling Masterclass register here Join The Direct Care Society The Continuity Circle, a monthly mastermind to take your practice to the next level. Save $582 when you purchase a 6 month access at the checkout. --> Record your question easily here --> Join the Direct Care Society private Facebook group here. --> Own a DSC practice and want to share your story? Apply here EMR I'm currently using in my Direct Care practice Simple Practice F...
Send a text Happy 4 years to The Direct Care Podcast for Specialists! If you have a Direct Specialty Care Practice and are looking for massive growth, join me in The Circle. No contractMonthly live sessionsAccountability & on-going supportTake $300 off your first month simply for being a listener. Use code LOVE300 at checkout. Support the show Ethical Selling Masterclass register here Join The Direct Care Society The Continuity Circle, a monthly mastermind to take your pract...
Send a text In this episode, Dr. Joseph “Joe” Pazona, board-certified urologist and CEO of VirtuCare, shares his journey from traditional clinical practice to healthcare entrepreneurship. Frustrated by physician burnout and gaps in specialty care—especially in rural and underserved communities. Dr. Pazona founded VirtuCare to deliver high-quality urology services through a mix of telemedicine, on-site care, and innovative staffing models. He also discusses his direct specialty car...
Send a text If you’re thinking about starting a direct care practice, you need to know something important, to get something new, you have to let go of the old. In this episode, I’m talking about the things you’ll lose—old habits, chaotic schedules, burnout, even identities that no longer serve you, so you can make room for calm, clarity, and real growth. Using the symbolism of the Lunar New Year, I explain why shedding what holds you back is not punishment—it’s necessary for momentum ...
Send a text In this episode, Dr. Matthew R. Hitchcock, MD, MBA, shares his journey as a direct primary care physician and healthcare entrepreneur. Frustrated by long waits and high costs in traditional imaging, he founded Hitchcock Direct Imaging, a cash-only, insurance-free imaging center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Dr. Hitchcock discusses how direct care models can improve patient access, the regulatory hurdles he navigated, and the importance of transparency in healthcare pricing. Lea...
Send a text Tired of feeling burned out, trapped, or stuck in a job that drains you? It’s time to take control. In this episode, I break down the mindset shifts, practical steps, and systems every doctor needs to launch a profitable, low-stress direct care practice. Learn the Single Package Success model, simplify your services, build freedom, and create sustainable income. If you’re ready to level up your career and reclaim your life, this episode gives you clarity, actionable steps, a...
Send a text Dr. Sushrusha Arjyal shares her journey from board-certified psychiatrist and sleep specialist to founder of Bliss Sleep and Psychiatry in Cary, NC. She discusses the challenges and rewards of transitioning to private practice, including financial decisions, patient communication, and key mindset shifts for success. Dr. Arjyal emphasizes curiosity, networking, coaching, and teaching future physicians about the business of medicine. She also reflects on balancing her roles as...
Send a text 1. The Direct Care Movement Is Mainstream Now 2026 is the year specialists can no longer ignore the shift—direct care is making headlines and attracting advocates like Mark Cuban, who’s cutting out middlemen and championing patient-centered care. The time to act is now. 2. You Have More Power (and Options) Than You Think The old insurance model is broken, but you don’t have to play by those rules. Whether you’re worried about opening a new office, choosing your location, or deci...
Send a text Dr. R. Michelle Koolaee is a board-certified rheumatologist with over 12 years of experience in academic and multi-specialty practices across Los Angeles. In 2025, she opened a direct care rheumatology practice in Pasadena to move beyond the constraints of 15-minute visits and provide patients with more time, access, and personalized care. She now shares her journey to help other physicians explore and implement the direct care model. Connect with her: Email: michelle@drrmi...
Send a text I want to share some unexpected lessons that have sprouted from my garden—and from my perimenopause journey. From plants that refuse to grow to learning when to let go, I’ve realized the importance of focusing on what truly thrives in our lives and businesses. This episode is about protecting your energy, sorting out what really matters, and making space for the things that bring you joy. If you’re navigating big life changes, I hope these reflections help you step into the ...
Send a text Dr. Brian Dixon, is an award-winning psychiatrist, author, and speaker who believes adaptive mental health is the foundation of a life well lived. In this episode, he shares his journey from facing “moral injury” in insurance-based medicine to building a thriving direct-pay psychiatry practice rooted in autonomy, authenticity, and sustainable patient care. Dr. Dixon explains how he created a model that allows him to deliver personalized, relationship-based, and clinica...
Send a text Struggling to attract patients who pay cash? In this episode, we break down 7 practical steps to help you engage patients, build trust, and confidently set prices. Learn how to package services, handle insurance objections transparently, and leverage word of mouth to grow your practice. We also cover essentials for launching a minimal viable practice and identifying patients who benefit most from direct care. Tune in to start validating the cash-pay model and growing a thriv...
Send a text Dr. Demetrio J. Aguila III, a world-renowned peripheral nerve surgeon and former Air Force flight surgeon treating patients from 50 states and 32 countries. He’s the only surgeon in Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, and South Dakota performing micro-invasive carpal tunnel surgery with same-day recovery. Beyond surgery, he’s a medical acupuncturist, theologian, and founder of Healing Hands of America, a nonprofit offering specialty care without crushing medical debt. In this ep...
Send a text Direct Care is hard but staying the same is harder. I am so grateful that you're lending me your ears. Give yourself the gift of grace this season and all year long. Happy Thanksgiving. I'll check in with you next week. Support the show Ethical Selling Masterclass register here Join The Direct Care Society The Continuity Circle, a monthly mastermind to take your practice to the next level. Save $582 when you purchase a 6 month access at the checkout. --> Record your q...
Send a text Dr. Jennifer Dilts, DO, is a pediatrician at Bloom Pediatrics in Kansas City, KS, caring for kids and teens with ADHD, migraines, anxiety, and depression. She shares how she transformed pediatric care through the direct care model, making care more accessible while building a sustainable practice. Dr. Dilts co-hosts the ADHD Mom Docs Podcast with Dr. Nerissa Bauer and teaches virtual Teach Me ADHD classes for parents and kids, making learning to thrive with ADHD fun. She is also t...
Send a text Thinking about transitioning your practice to direct care? I break down 3 essential shifts that can save you time, cut administrative costs, and give you more control over your practice. Hear how I successfully made the switch in 2022 and the lessons I learned along the way. Whether you’re looking to reduce insurance headaches or improve patient care, this episode is full of actionable insights. Tune in and discover how to make direct care work for you! Support the show Ethical S...
Send a text "I was so burnt out in the system that it was either do direct care or leave medicine. I already knew that I was good at what I did so leaving medicine because the system is broken didn't make sense--so I fixed it. As someone who has an $8000 deductible, I also wanted to make healthcare more affordable and the cost of care transparent." Dr. Becky Mullin takes us behind the scene to how she pivoted from an employed position to becoming a proud owner of a Direct Specialt...
Send a text We became physicians to helps as many people as we could and often feel guilty when it falls short. The thing is, this is the fastest road to burnout. If you catch yourself saying "Do I self sacrifice to help my patient or focus on my mental health?" then this episode is for you. Let's normalize prioritizing our mental health. Support the show Ethical Selling Masterclass register here Join The Direct Care Society The Continuity Circle, a monthly mastermind to take yo...



