Welcome to Episode 7 of The Healthcare STARcast! In this insightful conversation, host Subbu Ramalingam is joined by Dr. Pierantonio Russo, Chief Medical Officer at Eversana, a renowned cardiac surgeon, and global pioneer in predictive analytics for cardiovascular health.

Together, they dive into the critical intersections of cardiovascular disease prevention, machine learning, and the quest to bend the cost curve while improving patient outcomes both in the US and globally. You’ll hear firsthand how Dr. Pierantonio Russo transitioned from leading heart surgery programs in Italy and the United States to advancing value-based care through data science and AI-driven risk stratification at major health plans.

Discover why obesity and visceral fat are at the heart of the cardio-kidney-metabolic syndrome, how modern predictive models are helping identify high-risk patients before costly complications hit, and why multidisciplinary care teams, supported by clinical and social determinants of health, are essential for effective interventions.

This episode also explores how machine learning is bridging the gap between accuracy and clinical trust, the real-world impact of remote patient monitoring, and lessons learned from healthcare innovation in India’s private hospital sector. Plus, Dr. Russo shares personal stories from his work in pediatric heart surgery and offers practical advice for maintaining health and longevity.

Whether you’re a physician, health plan leader, or just passionate about healthcare’s future, this episode is packed with fresh perspectives, actionable insights, and a glimpse into the hospital of the future. Tune in and get inspired by the possibilities at the intersection of technology, data, and compassionate care!

Timestamps:

00:00 Managing Rising Heart Failure Costs

05:55 "Advancing Predictive Analytics in Healthcare"

07:38 "Improving Care with Predictive Analytics"

13:13 Cardiac-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome Advances

16:27 Managing Heart Failure Costs Efficiently

18:32 "Heart Failure Cost Drivers Analysis"

24:07 AI in Healthcare Collaboration

27:29 AI-Assisted Learning for Physicians

29:45 Predictive Model Impact on Healthcare

33:03 Reducing Costs and Improving Outcomes

36:34 Precision Medicine for Heart Failure

40:04 Hospital Operations: Three Core Areas

43:56 Healthcare Costs and Low Value Care

47:55 "Life-Saving Aid for Children"

50:32 "Parking Guard's Unexpected Connection"

53:35 Innovation, AI, and Mediterranean Diet

56:11 Grateful for the Invitation

Show Website - https://healthcarestarcast.com/

Subbu Ramalingam - Show Host - Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/subburamalingam/

FloWise Leadership - https://flowiseleadership.com/

ViVega Business Services - https://www.vivega.co/

ATTAC Consulting Group - https://www.attacconsulting.com/

Media Partner - TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Welcome to Episode 6 of The Healthcare STARcast! This episode, hosted by Subbu Ramalingam, dives deep into the fundamentals of the US healthcare system - the world’s largest and most influential healthcare market, with an annual spend of nearly $4 trillion. Subbu Ramalingam explores why the American system, despite its staggering costs, still struggles to deliver the best health outcomes, and how its evolution through a series of policy decisions has led to an incredibly complex landscape.

Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a policy enthusiast, or just curious about why US healthcare matters far beyond its borders, this episode offers a clear breakdown of managed care frameworks, the realities of healthcare inflation, and the trade-offs faced in balancing affordability, quality, and sustainability. With insights drawn from decades of hands-on experience across risk adjustment, quality programs, and value-based care, Subbu Ramalingam makes the intricate US healthcare ecosystem accessible for listeners around the globe.

Tune in to get an insider’s perspective on why changes in US healthcare ripple worldwide, and learn what’s being done, and what still needs to happen - to improve outcomes for millions of people both in America and beyond.

Timestamps:

00:00 "US Healthcare's Global Impact"

03:31 "Healthcare Challenges and Solutions"

07:25 "Medicare Shift and Cost Crisis"

10:59 Global Healthcare Payment Models

15:01 "Understanding U.S. Healthcare Complexity"

18:58 "Managed Care and My Journey"

24:14 Healthcare Coordination and Quality Metrics

26:49 "Shift to Value-Based Care"

31:14 "Addressing America's Healthcare Challenges"

33:41 "Healthcare Insights & Frameworks"

Show Website - https://healthcarestarcast.com/

Subbu Ramalingam - Show Host - Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/subburamalingam/

FloWise Leadership - https://flowiseleadership.com/

ViVega Business Services - https://www.vivega.co/

ATTAC Consulting Group - https://www.attacconsulting.com/

Media Partner - TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Welcome back to The Healthcare STARcast! In today’s episode, host Subbu Ramalingam is joined by Dwight Pattison, founder and principal advisor of QP Advantage, for a deep dive into the evolving world of Medicare Advantage star ratings and healthcare quality. With the recent release of Star Ratings and a rapidly shifting landscape - including the sunsetting of bonus points, membership shifts, and the rise of “Excellent Health Outcomes for All” - there’s never been a more important time to understand what’s changing and how health plans can adapt.

Subbu Ramalingam and Dwight Pattison break down the new focus on social risk factors, demystifying the intricacies of the Health Equity Index and what it means for plans serving dual-eligible and low-income populations. They also tackle the move toward digital quality - what it really means, why it matters, and how both health plans and providers can prepare for a future where data flows seamlessly across the healthcare ecosystem.

Whether you’re an executive scrambling after star rating surprises, a frontline team adapting to new measurement strategies, or just curious about the data-driven future of healthcare, this episode is packed with practical insights, best practices, and strategies for thriving in 2027 and beyond.

Tune in as we move “beyond ratings toward excellence,” and discover what’s next for healthcare quality, equity, and digital transformation.

Timestamps:

00:00 "Healthcare Shifts: What's Next?"

06:03 Health Plans Face Ongoing Challenges

08:32 "Healthcare Plan Rating Adjustments"

11:49 "Health Equity Metrics Overview"

16:05 "Unequal Rewards in Member Plans"

18:49 Performance-Based Rewards for D SNP Plans

21:32 Performance Tracking and Intervention Plans

24:22 "LIS Factor Importance in Measures"

29:53 "Streamlined Digital Health Data Sharing"

31:05 "Uneven Data Flow Challenges"

36:45 "Data Roadmap for Better Outcomes"

37:49 Prioritize Clinical Data Collection

44:13 Simplifying Healthcare Data Exchange

45:10 "New Playbook for Future Success"

Show Website - https://healthcarestarcast.com/

Subbu Ramalingam - Show Host - Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/subburamalingam/

FloWise Leadership - https://flowiseleadership.com/

ViVega Business Services - https://www.vivega.co/

ATTAC Consulting Group - https://www.attacconsulting.com/

Media Partner - TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”