Unlocking the Future of Healthcare: A Conversation with Jon Hernandez

In our latest episode of the Health Guardianship podcast, we had the privilege of sitting down with Jon Hernandez, a 30-year veteran in healthcare technology and reimbursement systems. 

This is a fascinating deep dive into his experience “behind-the-curtain” of payers and providers inside of healthcare. 

Jon’s journey—from the early days of converting paper-based information into digital records to today’s push toward direct pay arrangements—offers incredible insight into how we can address the growing misalignments in the healthcare system.

Jon witnessed firsthand how the relationship between healthcare providers and insurance companies has been shaped by technology and data—and where things began to go wrong.

Fast-forward to today, and Jon has seen it all—from hospitals acquiring physician practices to charge more for the same services, to primary care being sidelined as a "loss leader" that funnels patients into more expensive, hospital-based care pathways. His unique perspective highlights the underlying issue: the economic incentives don’t always align with providing the best patient care BUT there is something we can do about it!

Perhaps one of the most eye-opening parts of the conversation is Jon's realization that the current fee-for-service model required MORE sick people to drive financial sustainability. This stark reality forced Jon to rethink how healthcare can be delivered—focusing on patient outcomes and payment methods that allowed him to focus on relationships rather than volume and insurance reimbursements.

If you’re interested in how we can fix the many misalignments in the healthcare system and empower providers to focus on what truly matters—patients—we highly encourage you to listen to the full conversation. Jon’s story offers hope and a clear path forward, making this episode a must-listen for anyone passionate about healthcare reform.

Listen Here.