Podcast Summary: Realfoodology Episode - "How to Opt Out of Big Insurance - And Still Get Covered | Andy Schoonover"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Realfoodology
• Host: Courtney Swan
• Guest: Andy Schoonover, Crowd Health
• Release Date: July 15, 2025
• Produced By: Wellness Loud

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Realfoodology, host Courtney Swan welcomes Andy Schoonover, the founder of Crowd Health, to discuss an innovative approach to healthcare outside the traditional insurance model. Courtney expresses her enthusiasm for Andy's mission to disrupt the conventional health insurance system through community-driven crowdfunding.

Andy Schoonover’s Journey and the Birth of Crowd Health

Background Story (00:03:13 - 00:06:32)

Andy begins by sharing his personal experience with the complexities and frustrations of the traditional health insurance system. After selling his first healthcare company, Andy found himself uninsured and subsequently faced a staggering $8,000 bill for a minor medical procedure—a stark revelation of the inefficiencies and high costs associated with conventional insurance.

Andy Schoonover [04:20]: "I have no idea [how the insurance deemed the procedure medically unnecessary]. We went through two rounds of appeals, and ultimately, I had to pay an $8,000 check to get the procedure covered."

This incident motivated Andy to establish Crowd Health in 2021, a second venture aimed at creating a more transparent and community-oriented healthcare model.

Understanding Crowd Health

Core Concept (00:06:33 - 00:18:19)

Andy describes Crowd Health as a community of 10,000 members who fund each other's healthcare expenses directly, bypassing traditional insurance companies. This peer-to-peer model reduces administrative burdens and allows doctors to focus on patient care rather than battling insurance for reimbursements.

Andy Schoonover [06:51]: "We have 10,000 people in our community who fund each other's healthcare bills so that I can go and pay for my healthcare directly, as opposed to the doctor getting paid by a health insurance plan."

Key features include:

• Direct Funding: Members submit their medical bills, which are then funded by the community without the intervention of insurance companies.
• Subscription Model: Members pay a monthly fee ($55 individual, up to $420 for family) covering preventative care and a portion to assist others in the community.
• Transparency: Members know exactly where their money is going, promoting trust and accountability.

Operational Mechanics and Community Impact

How It Works (00:18:20 - 00:37:18)

Andy elaborates on the mechanics, using a real-life example of a member who suffered a severe gunshot wound. After negotiating the bill down from nearly $1 million to $200,000, the community steps in to fund the remaining amount.

Andy Schoonover [10:54]: "We had to get medevacked out...We negotiated that nearly million-dollar bill down to somewhere between 200 and 250,000."

Crowd Health has successfully funded over 20,000 bills across various medical situations, from routine pediatric visits to major emergencies like cancer treatments and accidental injuries. The community-driven approach ensures that 99.9% of bills are funded, fostering a supportive environment where members actively contribute to each other's well-being.

Andy Schoonover [09:18]: "We've funded about 20,000 bills over the last four years...99.9% of the time that we send these bills to get funded, they get funded."

Subscription and Financial Model

Cost Efficiency (00:37:19 - 00:48:09)

Crowd Health offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional insurance. Members pay a $55 subscription fee plus up to $85 monthly to assist others, totaling approximately $140 per month—significantly less than typical insurance premiums (e.g., $475/month).

Andy Schoonover [15:02]: "You pay us a subscription fee every month. You just pay 55 bucks a month...Then we'll ask you this month on top of that $85 to help somebody else out in the community."

This model not only lowers individual costs but also empowers members to make informed healthcare decisions without the constraints of insurance networks and restrictions.

Safeguards and Community Policies

Preventing Abuse and Ensuring Integrity (00:48:10 - 00:54:35)

To maintain the community's integrity, Crowd Health implements several safeguards:

• Eligibility Criteria: Members must adhere to health standards, such as maintaining a healthy BMI and avoiding smoking.
• Preexisting Conditions: Members with preexisting conditions must remain in the community for two years before their expenses are eligible for funding.
• Transparency Checks: Regular updates on members’ health statuses and the verification of submitted bills prevent fraudulent claims.

Andy Schoonover [53:38]: "We have policies to ensure that members are genuinely contributing to the community and not exploiting the system."

These measures ensure that the community remains focused on proactive health management and mutual support.

Special Features and Incentives

Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle (00:54:36 - 00:57:07)

Crowd Health incentivizes healthy living by offering discounts to members who maintain excellent metabolic health, such as low visceral fat and healthy fasting insulin levels. This approach not only reduces costs but also encourages members to adopt and sustain healthy habits.

Andy Schoonover [48:25]: "We're actually trying to incentivize people to be metabolically healthy and you get up to a 20% discount if you have visceral fat and insulin fasting insulin levels that are metabolically healthy."

Additionally, Crowd Health accommodates cryptocurrency enthusiasts by allowing a portion of the subscription fees to be converted into Bitcoin, catering to a diverse and tech-savvy community.

Andy Schoonover [56:09]: "We have a lot of bitcoiners...the 55 gets converted to bitcoin."

Addressing Common Concerns

Transitioning from Traditional Insurance (00:57:17 - 00:60:44)

Courtney poses a critical question about the fear associated with abandoning traditional insurance. Andy responds by highlighting the high denial rates and financial instability commonly experienced with conventional insurance.

Andy Schoonover [58:04]: "One in five medical bills are denied by your health insurance company...I would be more scared being on health insurance than I am with Crowd Health."

He emphasizes the reliability and support provided by the community, contrasting it with the often impersonal and bureaucratic nature of traditional insurance systems.

Andy Schoonover [60:44]: "We've done millions and millions and millions of bills, 20,000 of them, and they've all worked. And how is health insurance working for you?"

Conclusion and Call to Action

Final Thoughts and Joining Crowd Health (00:60:50 - End)

As the episode wraps up, Andy invites listeners to join Crowd Health by visiting their website and using a special code for discounted rates. He underscores the community's success in supporting members through various medical needs and reinforces the transparency and mutual aid that underpin the model.

Andy Schoonover [61:26]: "Join CrowdHealth.com and then use the code Real Foodology and you will get 99 bucks a month for the first three months...We have people who have paragraphs and paragraphs and paragraphs about how we walked with them through."

Courtney expresses her enthusiasm and personal intent to join, highlighting the transformative potential Crowd Health holds for individuals seeking a more empowered and community-focused healthcare experience.

Key Takeaways

• Community-Driven Healthcare: Crowd Health leverages a community-based crowdfunding model to fund members' healthcare expenses directly, eliminating the need for traditional insurance involvement.
• Cost-Effective and Transparent: With lower monthly fees and full transparency on fund allocation, members save money and know exactly how their contributions are used.
• Supportive Policies: Rigorous eligibility criteria and safeguards ensure the community remains trustworthy and focused on mutual support.
• Incentivizing Health: Discounts for maintaining healthy lifestyles encourage members to adopt and sustain beneficial health habits.
• Alternative Payment Options: Integration with cryptocurrency offers flexibility and appeals to a tech-savvy demographic.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Schoonover [04:20]: "I have no idea [how the insurance deemed the procedure medically unnecessary]. We went through two rounds of appeals, and ultimately, I had to pay an $8,000 check to get the procedure covered."
• Andy Schoonover [06:51]: "We have 10,000 people in our community who fund each other's healthcare bills so that I can go and pay for my healthcare directly, as opposed to the doctor getting paid by a health insurance plan."
• Andy Schoonover [15:02]: "You pay us a subscription fee every month. You just pay 55 bucks a month...Then we'll ask you this month on top of that $85 to help somebody else out in the community."
• Andy Schoonover [58:04]: "One in five medical bills are denied by your health insurance company...I would be more scared being on health insurance than I am with Crowd Health."
• Andy Schoonover [60:44]: "We've done millions and millions and millions of bills, 20,000 of them, and they've all worked. And how is health insurance working for you?"

This episode of Realfoodology offers a deep dive into an alternative healthcare model that prioritizes community support, transparency, and cost-efficiency. Andy Schoonover’s insights present a promising solution for those disillusioned with the traditional insurance system, advocating for a more empowered and collective approach to health management.