119: Beyond Sick Care: Why Insurance Isn’t Coming To Save You

For many people, the healthcare system becomes frustrating long before they receive a diagnosis. Symptoms are dismissed, lab work comes back "normal," and the next step is often another prescription rather than a conversation about why those symptoms developed in the first place. 

In this episode, I'm joined by board-certified anesthesiologist and hormone optimization specialist Dr. Mike Fortunato to discuss his journey from conventional medicine into functional medicine, and why he believes many patients are looking for something today's healthcare model wasn't designed to provide.

Our conversation explores the realities of practicing medicine inside an insurance-driven system, the role hormones play in long-term health, and what Dr. Mike observed after years of caring for increasingly unhealthy surgical patients.

Topics We Cover in This Episode: 

Why "normal" lab results don't always reflect optimal health

How Dr. Mike's own health challenges changed the way he practices medicine

What anesthesiology taught him about the declining health of today's patients

Why hormone optimization is about more than treating symptoms

How insurance influences the care many patients receive

The role lifestyle plays alongside hormone health

Why prevention often receives less attention than disease management

How patients can become stronger advocates for their own health