Most patients assume the treatment options presented in the exam room are the full menu. But behind the scenes, many physicians are quietly editing out possibilities—because insurance won’t cover them.

In this episode of The Talking Rehab Podcast, Dr. Fred Bagares shares what it feels like to practice medicine through the lens of a policy manual, why “covered” doesn’t always mean “available,” and how direct care restores the conversation between physician and patient.

You’ll discover:

• Why coding shortcuts shape more than just paperwork—they shape outcomes
• How treatments with decades of evidence still get labeled “experimental”
• Why direct care isn’t about rejecting insurance, but reclaiming clinical freedom

🕰 Timestamps + Key Themes

[00:00] The Hidden Filter
How insurance quietly edits what gets discussed in the exam room.

[02:00] Coverage ≠ Credibility
Why patients and physicians alike equate coverage with value—and why that’s misleading.

[04:00] The Denial Letter
Shockwave therapy as a case study in how policy trumps science.

[06:00] The Coding Trap
When diagnoses are shaped by billing efficiency, not clinical accuracy.

[08:00] The Ceiling of the Insurance Model
Why high-volume care trains young doctors but stifles long-term growth.

[10:00] The Reframe
Insurance as a voucher—it covers part of the menu, but not the whole kitchen.

[12:00] What Direct Care Restores
Precision, time, and the ability to think beyond policy boxes.

[13:00] Patient & Clinician Challenges
The questions that shift conversations and the mindset shifts that matter most.

👉 If this episode reframed how you think about insurance and medical care, hit subscribe and share it with someone who needs to hear it. For clarity on your own recovery options, visit FredBagares.com.

Support the show

What if you’re already training for the most important competition of your life—and it isn’t the Olympics? In this episode of The Talking Rehab Podcast, Dr. Fred Bagares reveals why your daily movements are the real foundation of pain-free living, functional training, and long-term independence.

Drawing inspiration from Usain Bolt’s meticulous preparation for a 10-second sprint, Dr. Bagares reframes the question: What are you really training for? Whether it’s lifting your grandchildren, traveling in retirement, or maintaining mobility through your 60s and 70s, these life events demand the same deliberate practice as any athletic performance.

You’ll discover:

• Why rehabilitation and recovery are less about quick fixes and more about consistent training.
• How to transform everyday routines—sitting, lifting, reaching—into longevity fitness practices.
• Three principles to help you structure your day for strength, resilience, and confidence.

If you’ve ever wondered how to bridge the gap between physical therapy, fitness, and real-world performance, this episode gives you a clear roadmap. Your body is already keeping score—make sure you’re training for success.

For more resources on rehabilitation, functional training, and staying active without pain, visit FredBagares.com.

Dandapani on the BigDeal Podcast

Support the show

Are steroid injections the answer for knee pain—or a shortcut that costs you in the long run? In this episode of The Talking Rehab Podcast, Dr. Fred Bagares unpacks the real story behind corticosteroid injections. You’ll learn why the quick relief they provide can sometimes accelerate joint breakdown, what the research actually shows about long-term effects, and how to think beyond short-term fixes.

Dr. Bagares also explores alternatives that support joint health—like PRP, vitamin D, and strength training—and shares the story of a patient who broke free from the “injection cycle” by changing his approach. If you’ve ever wondered whether steroid injections are truly helping or quietly harming, this episode will give you a clear, evidence-based perspective.

[00:00:00] The counterintuitive truth: the patients who benefit most from injections often need them the least.
[00:01:00] The quick-fix mindset: why pain relief doesn’t always equal healing.
[00:02:00] The 2017 RCT that revealed faster cartilage loss with repeated steroids.
[00:03:00] Upsides vs downsides: rapid pain relief versus long-term joint damage and systemic risks.
[00:04:00] Reframing the question: are you creating a protective or destructive joint environment?
[00:05:00] Evidence-based options that support cartilage health—PRP, vitamin D, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid.
[00:07:00] Safe adjuncts like glucosamine and collagen, plus their limits.
[00:08:00] Tom’s story: breaking the “injection cycle” through rehab, strength, and mindset shifts.
[00:09:00] Four takeaways: use interventions strategically, move consistently, treat strength as medicine, add safe supplements.
[00:10:00] The big picture: resilience, not just relief, is the goal for long-term knee health.

If you’re ready to start building a resilient joint environment instead of chasing short-term fixes, visit fredbagares.com to learn more.

Support the show