The Intersection of Medicine and Law: Protecting Patients in a Legal Framework

Episode Summary

In this episode of From the Clinic to the Courtroom: Health Law Unpacked, host Kevin Rosenquist sits down with attorney Maria T. Santi, founder and managing partner of the Health & Medicine Law Firm. Maria specializes in health insurance coverage denials, patient rights, medical bill negotiations, and legal actions to protect patients.

She shares her journey from aspiring pediatrician to health law attorney, inspired by personal experiences advocating for her family. Maria discusses common reasons for insurance denials, the rights patients often don’t realize they have, and the complex legal landscape of healthcare law. She also highlights a memorable case where she fought to secure life-saving medication for a young child.

Tune in to learn about how to navigate health insurance denials, patient rights, and the evolving legal challenges in healthcare.

Timestamps

[00:00] – Welcome to From the Clinic to the Courtroom: Health Law Unpacked
[00:06] – Introduction to Maria T. Santi and her firm’s mission
[00:40] – Overview of Maria’s legal practice: Health insurance denials, patient rights, and medical bill disputes
[01:20] – Why do insurance companies deny coverage? (Medical necessity, exclusions, experimental treatments)
[02:09] – Patients’ rights and the legal actions available after denials
[02:29] – Maria’s journey into health law: From pre-med to law school and starting her own firm
[05:08] – The role of compassion and advocacy in healthcare law
[05:46] – Key patient rights (privacy, informed consent, medical records access)
[07:46] – Why is health law so complex? (Federal, state, and administrative regulations)
[09:38] – Staying updated with evolving healthcare laws
[11:05] – A memorable case: Securing a $2M life-saving treatment for a child
[12:23] – Working with healthcare providers, not against them
[13:23] – Are insurance denials getting worse? The role of AI-driven claim denials
[14:41] – The broken healthcare system and the frustration of insurance battles
[15:35] – Closing thoughts and how to connect with Maria

About the Show

From the Clinic to the Courtroom: Health Law Unpacked is a podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of healthcare and the law. Hosted by Kevin Rosenquist and featuring legal expert Maria T. Santi, this podcast dives into patients' rights, healthcare litigation, medical insurance disputes, and the evolving legal challenges in the medical field.

Whether you're a patient, caregiver, healthcare provider, or legal professional, this show provides valuable insights on navigating the complex healthcare system and advocating for your rights.