Becker’s Healthcare Podcast: Episode Summary featuring Harlan Pickett, President of Eagle Care Health Solutions

Podcast Information:

• Title: Becker’s Healthcare Podcast
• Host: Haley Ruetker, Becker's Payer Podcast
• Episode Title: Harlan Pickett, President, Eagle Care Health Solutions
• Release Date: July 13, 2025

Introduction

In this insightful episode of the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast, host Haley Ruetker engages in a compelling conversation with Harlan Pickett, President of Eagle Care Health Solutions. Recorded live at the Becker's third annual Spring Payer Issues Roundtable, the discussion delves into innovative strategies Eagle Care employs to control healthcare costs, enhance access to quality care, and advance health equity.

Harlan Pickett’s Background and Eagle Care Health Solutions

[00:45] Harlan Pickett:
"I have been in the insurance and healthcare world for about 18 years. Started Eagle Care back in 2019. We provide alternative solutions for employers to help control their healthcare spend and to provide better access to health care."

Harlan Pickett brings nearly two decades of experience in the insurance and healthcare sectors. Under his leadership since 2019, Eagle Care Health Solutions has been dedicated to offering customized healthcare plans tailored to employers' specific needs, moving away from conventional one-size-fits-all models. This approach not only helps in controlling costs but also ensures employees receive the quality healthcare access they deserve.

Ensuring Quality of Care

[01:46] Harlan Pickett:
"If you don't know cost and you don't know quality, there's no way you can understand what value is. We work diligently on that side of it by doing direct contracts with physicians that have shown outstanding outcomes and actually care about their clients."

Quality of care is a cornerstone of Eagle Care's mission. Pickett emphasizes the importance of transparency in both cost and quality to truly understand and deliver value-based care. By establishing direct contracts with physicians committed to excellent outcomes, Eagle Care fosters a membership-based model. This model operates on a simple monthly fee per member, eliminating additional costs such as co-pays or out-of-pocket expenses.

Key Highlights:

• Direct Physician Contracts: Establishing relationships with physicians who prioritize patient outcomes.
• Membership-Based Model: A straightforward monthly fee that aligns incentives between patients and physicians, promoting a collaborative approach to health management.
• Enhanced Patient-Physician Relationships: Longer consultation times (45 minutes to an hour) allow for comprehensive discussions about health and lifestyle, fostering stronger patient-physician bonds.

Advancing Health Equity

[03:33] Harlan Pickett:
"We remove the barrier of cost visibility. Health equity often suffers when individuals cannot afford or are unaware if they can afford to seek medical care. By providing direct contracts and extended physician time, we level the playing field."

Health equity remains a pivotal focus for Eagle Care. Pickett outlines how financial barriers often prevent individuals from accessing necessary healthcare services. By making costs transparent and offering affordable, membership-based plans, Eagle Care ensures that more people can seek medical attention without fear of unexpected expenses.

Key Initiatives:

• Extended Access to Physicians: Unlike the national average of 5-7 minute consultations, Eagle Care provides 45 minutes to an hour per appointment, allowing for meaningful interactions and personalized care.
• 24/7 Physician Availability: Members have direct access to their physicians via phone and text, enabling immediate assistance in emergencies, such as a newborn experiencing distress.
• Community Impact: Personal testimonials highlight how critical access to dedicated physicians can significantly improve patient outcomes and engagement within employer groups.

Rural Health Initiatives

[06:03] Harlan Pickett:
"We're investing in physicians' offices in rural areas to transition them from a fee-for-service model to a membership-based model. This shift helps sustain rural practices by providing a stable income and reducing the administrative burden of dealing with multiple health plans."

Addressing the unique challenges faced by rural healthcare providers is another significant aspect of Eagle Care's strategy. Rural physicians often struggle with delayed payments and administrative complexities that threaten the sustainability of their practices. Eagle Care's initiatives aim to stabilize and grow rural healthcare services through innovative financial models and technological support.

Key Strategies:

• Transition to Membership-Based Models: Providing financial stability for rural physicians by offering a predictable income stream, allowing them to focus on patient care rather than administrative tasks.
• Technology Integration: Implementing telehealth solutions to expand the reach of rural practices, enabling physicians to conduct virtual visits and serve a broader patient base.
• Local Employer Partnerships: Collaborating with local employers to introduce sustainable healthcare models that benefit both employers and employees in rural communities.

Conclusion

[07:57] Harlan Pickett:
"It's been my honor and my pleasure. Thank you so much."

The conversation concludes with a mutual appreciation of the collaborative efforts between Eagle Care and its stakeholders to redefine healthcare delivery. Harlan Pickett’s insights highlight the transformative potential of customized healthcare solutions in enhancing quality, promoting equity, and ensuring sustainability, especially within underserved communities.

This episode of Becker’s Healthcare Podcast offers a comprehensive look into how Eagle Care Health Solutions is pioneering changes in the healthcare landscape. Through strategic partnerships, innovative financial models, and a steadfast commitment to quality and equity, Eagle Care exemplifies the future of employee-centered healthcare.