Sideline MD

06/04/2026

Healthcare pricing is the ultimate sausage factory. My latest article breaks down why your medical bill is often not a real price tag. It’s more like a negotiation receipt. I explain chargemasters, allowed amounts, contractual write-offs, facility fees, cash-pay pricing, and why “they charged WHAT?” does not always mean what patients think it means.

Because no one should need a decoder ring to understand a doctor bill:

https://sidelinemd.substack.com/p/charged-800-paid-143-what-just-happened

06/02/2026

My neurologist looked at me and said: "You can barely bend over. You're too young for this."

I was a surgeon. I spent years on my feet. And somehow I had quietly lost basic mobility without noticing.

Your step count won't catch that. Here's what to pay attention to instead: https://open.substack.com/pub/sidelinemd/p/your-watch-knows-your-steps-it-does?r=1n2qvi&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

The insider knowledge most patients never get — written by a surgeon who is also a patient. Free, every week. Click to read From the Sidelines, a Substack publication.

05/27/2026

In 2022, I had to walk away from my career as a surgeon because of an autoimmune rheumatologic condition.

Since then, I’ve learned what it feels like to navigate healthcare from both sides — as a physician and as a patient.

Now I’m writing about healthcare in plain English: the confusion, the denials, the delays, the headlines, the policies, and the “why does this feel so hard?” moments.

And I’d love your help.

What healthcare topics do you wish someone would explain?

Read the full post here:

[https://sidelinemd.substack.com/]

05/21/2026

Fiber is not glamorous… but it is seriously underrated.

Most of us think fiber is just about constipation, but it also plays a role in cholesterol, blood sugar, gut bacteria, appetite, inflammation, and heart health.

The tricky part? Not all fiber works the same way — and for some people, adding too much too fast can backfire.

In my latest article, I break down fiber in plain English: what it does, why it matters, and why your gut may be begging you to start slowly.

Because apparently, fiber is doing a lot more than we gave it credit for.

LINK HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/sidelinemd/p/the-truth-about-fiber-its-not-just?r=1n2qvi&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Before we get into fiber, a quick but important caveat: this article is for general education only.

05/20/2026

Ebola is back in the headlines — and I know that word can sound scary.

But for most Americans, the risk remains low.

The bigger issue is what this outbreak reminds us: public health preparedness matters. Early detection, contact tracing, protective equipment, trained healthcare workers, and funding can make the difference between containing an outbreak and chasing one after it spreads.

This is not a reason to panic.

It is a reason to pay attention.

New post is up.

I remember when The Hot Zone by Richard Preston came out in 1994.

05/19/2026

Medicare’s new ACCESS Model sounds promising: apps, wearables, and remote monitoring to help manage chronic disease.

But will it make care easier — or just add another layer of confusion?

Technology can help.

But patients still need clarity, connection, and someone looking at the whole picture.

Read more here: https://open.substack.com/pub/sidelinemd/p/medicares-access-model-sounds-good?r=1n2qvi&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Medicare is testing a new program called the ACCESS Model, which stands for Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions.

05/18/2026

The cholesterol guidelines finally got a major update — and patients deserve a plain-English explanation.

This is not just about “good” and “bad” cholesterol anymore. The new guideline looks at lifetime risk, LDL goals, Lp(a), coronary calcium scoring, and newer medication options.

Bottom line: patients should know whether their cholesterol is not just “better,” but actually at goal for their risk.

https://open.substack.com/pub/sidelinemd/p/cholesterol-guidelines-finally-got?r=1n2qvi&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

05/18/2026

Healthcare is hard to navigate.
My Substack helps make it easier.

I share plain-English articles on insurance, prescriptions, medical records, doctor visits, patient advocacy, and the parts of healthcare no one explains until you’re stuck in the middle of it.

Subscribe here: https://sidelinemd.substack.com/

05/18/2026

Your prescription was sent — but now it’s delayed, denied, or wildly expensive. Here’s what really happens between the doctor’s office and the pharmacy counter.

LINK: https://open.substack.com/pub/sidelinemd/p/my-doctor-prescribed-it-so-why-cant?r=1n2qvi&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

05/15/2026

Most patients never read their office visit notes.

They should.

Those notes can shape future care, insurance approvals, billing, and even diagnoses that follow you.

https://sidelinemd.substack.com/p/the-medical-note-looks-perfect-but

As a patient advocate, I review medical records and office visit notes all the time.