Sideline MD

Sideline MD Hi. I’m Dr. Ash. My journey is driven by compassion and the desire to make a positive impact.

Chronic illness is often invisible—but that does not make it any less real.This week’s post is a little personal: flares...
06/22/2026

Chronic illness is often invisible—but that does not make it any less real.

This week’s post is a little personal: flares, fatigue, masking, and the strength it takes to keep going when your body is not cooperating.

Read more here: https://sidelinemd.substack.com/p/you-dont-look-sick-the-part-of-chronic

This week’s article is posting a little later than usual.

06/08/2026

A new diagnosis can feel overwhelming.

My latest article is about what to do in the first 30 days: get organized, ask better questions, build support, and find your footing.

You do not have to solve everything at once. You just need a place to start.

Read it here: https://sidelinemd.substack.com/p/the-first-30-days-after-a-diagnosis

Healthcare pricing is the ultimate sausage factory. My latest article breaks down why your medical bill is often not a r...
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

My neurologist looked at me and said: "You can barely bend over. You're too young for this."I was a surgeon. I spent yea...
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.

In 2022, I had to walk away from my career as a surgeon because of an autoimmune rheumatologic condition.Since then, I’v...
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/]

Address

PO BOX 17332
Urbana, IL
61803

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sideline MD posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category