Varun Verma MD

20/04/2025

Egg-stra special memories with my favorite peeps! 🐣 Happy Easter!

24/02/2025

Years ago, I wrote a blog post about a personal experience with medical errors related to our daughter’s hospitalization. Nearly a decade later, I still receive messages from people sharing their own devastating stories—many of them healthcare professionals with strong health literacy.

I often worry: If those of us inside the system struggle to prevent errors for our own loved ones, what chance does the average patient have?

Our daughter (who is now eight and thankfully okay) had newborn jaundice, and our pediatrician sent us to the hospital for phototherapy. After a long night where her lab results kept worsening, she became more lethargic, was barely eating, and was given no iv hydration. The team seemed ill-prepared and inexperienced—we quickly became that "crazy family" about to leave against medical advice. I still remember that terrifying night when we felt completely helpless, struggling to advocate for an innocent baby. My wife and I (both physicians) fought to get someone to listen.

🔗 Read the full blog here: https://varunvermamd.com/the-misery-of-medical-errors-why-dont-hospitals-listen-to-patients/

In my experience, these are some of the biggest contributing factors to medical errors:

1️⃣ Failure to listen to patient or family intuition and experience

2️⃣ Minimal staffing overnight and on weekends—a troubling trend undoubtedly driven by financial incentives

3️⃣ Lack of supervision in situations where an attending physician should be present 24/7

4️⃣ New graduates—nurses, PAs, NPs, and physicians—being thrown into high-stakes situations with inadequate support

5️⃣ Diagnostic inertia—unwillingness to reconsider or change course after an initial diagnosis

6️⃣ Communication breakdowns between teams and departments—sometimes it seems like the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing

7️⃣ Poor or nonexistent handoffs at shift changes

8️⃣ EMR bloat and inaccuracies that make it difficult to get a clear, real-time picture of the patient’s condition

This is why having a trusted family member or friend as a patient advocate at the bedside is so critical. While most healthcare professionals are compassionate and competent, I’ve seen firsthand how errors—both of commission and omission—happen.

Have you or a loved one ever experienced a medical error or a situation where you felt unheard in the hospital? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+ Yes I became that guy. We became that crazy family that left the hospital ‘against medical advice.’ We had no choice though. Our daughter was four days old and completely helpless, and no one was listening to my wife and I while her condition deteriorated. I did...

21/02/2025

Most clinical businesses die in the minds of doctors before they ever launch.

As a hospitalist for 12+ years, I've seen countless colleagues dream of independence, but only a handful take the leap—whether into private practice or direct care. The rest stay tethered to the system they often complain about.

And I get it. A steady paycheck feels safer, especially with student loans, mortgages, and dependents. Unhooking yourself from the machine is daunting. The devil you know, right?

The Direct Care Mountain-

The direct care model sounds ideal: no insurers, deeper patient relationships, and full autonomy. But in reality, you’re fighting the entire U.S. healthcare economy.

Patients already pay thousands for insurance. Now, you’re asking them to pay you directly. Your value proposition must be crystal clear: exceptional, personalized care without the bureaucratic nightmare.

Then there’s Medicare—a special kind of headache. Want to see Medicare patients privately? You must opt out completely for two years. That means:
-No Medicare billing—at all.
-No moonlighting at Medicare facilities (limiting extra income from shifts at the local hospital/urgent care).
-Actually, you could charge for non-covered services under “concierge care,” but misstep, and you risk Medicare fraud.

The Private Practice Labyrinth -

Traditional insurance-based practice? Same complexity, different game. Despite years of experience, you’re starting from scratch and must:
-Get re-credentialed with Medicare & insurers (months-long process)
-Build out your office before Medicare credentialing can even begin
-Cover overhead while generating zero income
-Navigate an intentionally complex billing system
-And the financial deck? Stacked against small practices. Large hospital systems negotiate higher reimbursement rates, while independent docs must accept whatever insurers dictate—unless they join an independent physician organization (IPO).

Why the Status Quo Wins -

It’s no surprise most doctors stay employed. The infrastructure, billing, and credentialing are handled for you. Meanwhile, healthcare consolidation makes independent practices rarer by the day.

The harsh truth? Physician entrepreneurs face a financially painful uphill battle. You’re not just starting a business—you’re fighting a system designed to keep you exactly where you are.

23/01/2025

Take Control of Your Health with Dr. Verma at Health Improvement Institute

How often have you caught yourself saying, “I could lose a few pounds,” or “That’s just how I’ve always been”? Maybe you’ve promised yourself, “I’ll start tomorrow.” But as we all know, someday often becomes never.

Obesity is not just about appearance; it’s a serious health concern linked to life-threatening conditions. It raises your risk for heart disease, stroke, and hypertension, while significantly increasing the likelihood of type 2 diabetes, which can lead to kidney failure and blindness if left unchecked. Certain cancers, respiratory issues like sleep apnea, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are also more common in individuals with obesity. These risks are compounded by the toll obesity takes on your mental health, often leading to depression and anxiety.

Here’s the empowering truth: You have the ability to change your story. With the right guidance, you can reclaim your health and significantly reduce your risk of these conditions. At Health Improvement Institute, Dr. Verma offers a comprehensive, patient-centered approach that breaks free from the limitations of traditional medicine.

Through personalized telehealth consultations, Dr. Verma helps you develop actionable strategies tailored to your needs—whether it’s creating a nutrition plan, designing an achievable movement routine, or reducing exposure to environmental toxins. He provides the support, expertise, and accountability you need to succeed.

It’s time to stop waiting for the perfect moment and take action now. Invest in yourself. Your health, happiness, and future depend on it.

Schedule your consultation with Dr. Verma today and start your journey to lasting wellness.

TELEHEALTH CONSULTS FOR PATIENTS IN 5 STATES:
Serving patients via telehealth/virtual visits in California, Florida, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

BOOK HERE:

At Health Improvement Institute LLC, we tackle wellness and longevity differently. Here, your health isn’t rushed or overlooked—it’s prioritized with the time, attention, and personalized care you deserve. Patients are always evaluated by a board certified physician Varun Verma M.D. and not ha...

15/01/2025

Please be careful when taking supplements. Right now there are a lot of healthcare professionals hawking supplements because they get a kickback. The FDA does not test or evaluate supplements for safety or effectiveness before they are sold. Few undergo third-party testing. There’s very little scientific evidence that any of them are beneficial.If are a patient in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania or California and you need to consult with a board-certified internal medicine physician, please contact me. Now offering virtual visits at Health Improvement Institute LLC. http://healthimprovement365.com

13/12/2024

Despite the hard work of all of our amazing colleagues in the hospital-nurses, technicians, medical assistants, docs, pharmacists, etc. I still recommend patients have a patient advocate at the bedside.  They help to make your wishes known, ask questions for you and coordinate with the entire team. And keep your spirits up! http://healthimprovement365.com

11/12/2024

We will all be patients one day, but your long-term wellness and longevity depends on the steps that you take today. If are a patient in New Jersey, New York, California or Pennsylvania and you need to consult with a board-certified internal medicine physician, please contact me.  Now offering virtual visits at Health Improvement Institute LLC. http://healthimprovement365.com

25/08/2024

Why do we hamstring physicians?

There's something very strange going on in US healthcare. We let nurse practitioners and physician assistants work "at the top of their license" and jump from one specialty/practice setting to another, yet we make it nearly impossible for physicians to do so.

Some of my physician colleagues are eager to help patients in a different practice setting, but are never given the opportunity. It’s not easy to match into a 3-7 year residency training program after medical school. It's almost impossible to do so a second time around because of the way training programs are funded (not to mention the tremendous effort and lost income since most residents are only paid $50-75k yearly to work 80 hour weeks).

I wonder why there isn’t a pathway for a shortened version of training for physicians that results in a modified scope of practice. To be clear - I'm not talking about letting general doctors (like myself) suddenly do surgery or whatever complex procedures require extensive mastery. That would be a serious risk to patient safety and quality. I'm talking about allowing experienced and qualified physicians to work in a field of their interest and perhaps help with pre-ops, post-ops, consults in the hospital, or routine cases in the office ... something that's already widely accepted for nonphysician practitioners.

Many times we call a consult to a specialist and a nonphysician practitioner is the first healthcare professional to come see the patient and leave recommendations on behalf of the team? I've worked with many excellent NPPs in all fields. Given the vast education and clinical experience of physicians - I fail to see why a family physician, internist or pediatrician couldn't be allowed to do what they do.

Our healthcare system seems to be delighted to provide the opportunity for competent nonphysician practitioners. It seems a period of 1-3 months on the job training/shadowing is standard, and then a ramp up period of 6-12 months where patient census and responsibilities increase. They work in every field from primary care, psychiatry to surgical subspecialties.

I have a feeling the physician hurdles have less to do with competency (after all we have completed medical school and take US medical licensing exams), and more to do with medical culture/tradition where we hold ourselves to old rigid standards, likely push back from subspecialty professional societies, and some myths about malpractice risk or liability (which is ironic given the prevalence of non-physician providers).

The largest factor may be economic. By boxing physicians in and allowing other healthcare profession to thrive - the healthcare industrial complex ensures its own dominance.

23/07/2024

Embarking on a journey through medical school is both exhilarating and challenging. I wish I had stuck my head outside books now and then and really explored what the world beyond board exams and ward rotations would be like. Alongside rigorous academic training, certain books can provide invaluable insights into the human side of medicine, effective practices, and personal growth....

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+ Embarking on a journey through medical school is both exhilarating and challenging. I wish I had stuck my head outside books now and then and really explored what the world beyond board exams and ward rotations would be like. Alongside rigorous academic training, ce...

16/07/2024

Getting inundated with ads on Amazon Prime day! Instead of buying trinkets, we should all consider investing in our health. The yearly primary care visit isn't enough! It's seriously on us to take care of ourselves. I think everyone should own a scale to weigh themselves and a own a blood pressure cuff and check your blood pressure regularly....

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+ Getting inundated with ads on Amazon Prime day! Instead of buying trinkets, we should all consider investing in our health. The yearly primary care visit isn’t enough! It’s seriously on us to take care of ourselves. I think everyone should own a scale to weigh t...

15/03/2024

Congratulations to those that matched! To those that weren't successful, please take care of yourself - it's truly a tragedy that thousands of medical students/physicians who are willing and able to help patients aren't able to find spots for graduate medical education each year. Keep your chin up and keep moving forward one foot in front of the other. Your health is the most precious asset you have, and you can stand up again to apply again (if you choose).

The months that follow Match Day can be likened to a period of diastole. It's a metaphorical breather for future residents to sort out their lives before the relentless pace of internship begins. It's a precious window to catch up with loved ones, address perhaps-neglected personal health, and mentally prepare for the demands of being of service to others. This period is essential, not just for logistical arrangements but for mental and emotional preparation for the journey ahead.

Transitioning into internship represents a seismic shift in identity and responsibility. You move from being a student, whose primary concern was passing tests, to a junior doctor tasked with the care and wellbeing of patients. This transition can be daunting; the weight of responsibility is palpable, and the learning curve is steep. Yet, it is during this challenging time that some of the most profound and lasting relationships are formed.

Personally, internship was where I met some of my closest friends. Despite the geographical distances that now separate us, the bonds forged during those first years of doctoring have endured. (It was also during my internship that I met my wife!). The camaraderie experienced during those days is unique and, in many ways, irreplaceable. The shared learning experiences, the mutual support in times of stress, the long hours knit us together in a way that is difficult to replicate in later stages of our careers (as attendings we often rush home to partners/children/other responsibilities).

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15/03/2024

Congratulations to those that matched! To those that weren't successful, please take care of yourself - and keep moving forward one foot in front of the other. Your health is the most precious asset you have, and you can stand up again to apply again (if you choose). In the words of Winston Churchill, "This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end....

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+ Congratulations to those that matched! To those that weren’t successful, please take care of yourself – and keep moving forward one foot in front of the other. Your health is the most precious asset you have, and you can stand up again to apply again (if you cho...