Drfredbagares

11/19/2025

What if your health insurance works more like a Bed Bath & Beyond coupon than a true safety net?

Sounds dramatic… but stay with me.

In this week’s episode of The Talking Rehab Podcast, I walk you through the story of Nate — a 38-year-old with a painful shoulder injury, “great insurance,” and four months of referrals, copays, denials, and hoops that got him nowhere closer to healing.

He did everything “right.”
Urgent care → P*P → Ortho → PT → prior auth → MRI → injection.

And still wasn’t better.

This is the fine print no one talks about:
Insurance covers transactions, not outcomes.
Visits, codes, procedures… not clarity, speed, or someone committed to helping you get your life back.

When Nate finally stepped outside the coupon system, he got a plan built around his goals—not what insurance allowed.

Three months later:
✔️ He’s back to pickleball
✔️ Pain dramatically better
✔️ Clear plan and next steps
✔️ No hoops, no waiting, no gatekeeping

This episode is for anyone who feels stuck in the insurance maze and wonders why “coverage” isn’t the same as getting better.

🎧 Watch the full episode → https://youtu.be/t01rBGmqTFs?si=C0RoT0lQCiRPJiCK

11/19/2025

Does your health insurance feel more like a Bed Bath & Beyond coupon than a real safety net? Many families pay record premiums—over $26,000 a year—yet argue whether the coupon even applies to their needs. Let's talk about what insurance *really* gives you.

11/18/2025

Tom was terrified: bone-on-bone diagnosis, told to "call me when you're ready" for surgery, with zero guidance in between. Sound familiar? You deserve a doctor who explores *all* options and cares about the space between diagnosis and decision.

11/13/2025

Patients spend thousands on orthopedic care without a clear diagnosis. But the problem isn't the money—it's what that money *isn't* buying: clarity. Maria spent $2,000 and 6 months, still confused. What if that money got her clarity and her life back?

11/11/2025

Rehabilitation isn't a quick fix with pills or surgery. It demands a time commitment from both patient and doctor. When patients trust the plan, their bodies relax, and they start exploring movement instead of guarding against it. Trust alters physiology, making the process easier.

11/07/2025

Tom's surgeon said three words that redefined his reality: "bone on bone." Suddenly, arthritis wasn't just arthritis. It became a story about limitation and decline. Those words implied a collapsing hip, worsening movement, and a ticking clock.

11/04/2025

Your slouch isn't just about comfort. Each mirror adjustment trains you to seek external fixes over internal awareness, leading to chronic pain and a disconnect from your body. Pause next time, reset your posture, and reclaim your spine. Feel the difference after just one week!

10/30/2025

Prior authorization isn't a simple formality—it's a massive time sink. Imagine spending an hour justifying care, only for someone to reiterate your notes back to you. With AI and third-party incentives, denials are increasing. Prepare now: consider options outside of insurance.

10/17/2025

A few years ago, I walked into an exam room and instantly felt it — arms crossed, shoulders turned away, eyes fixed somewhere behind me.

Before I could even introduce myself, the patient said,
“My doctor said you might help me… but I’m guessing you’ll tell me the same thing the others did.”

That line has stayed with me.
Not because of what he said — but what it meant.

He wasn’t doubting me.
He was doubting medicine.

In this week’s episode of The Talking Rehab Podcast, we talk about something every clinician and patient feels but rarely says out loud:
How do you build trust in a system designed for speed?

In seven minutes, you can order tests, prescribe meds, and move to the next chart —
but you can’t earn trust.

We’ll unpack why trust has become the most valuable and least billable resource in healthcare…
and how to rebuild it one conversation at a time.

🎧 Listen here → https://youtu.be/bomb6L1t5C8

10/15/2025

A few years ago, I walked into an exam room and instantly felt it — arms crossed, shoulders turned away, eyes fixed somewhere behind me.

Before I could even introduce myself, the patient said,
“My doctor said you might help me… but I’m guessing you’ll tell me the same thing the others did.”

That line has stayed with me.
Not because of what he said — but what it meant.

He wasn’t doubting me.
He was doubting medicine.

In this week’s episode of The Talking Rehab Podcast, we talk about something every clinician and patient feels but rarely says out loud:
How do you build trust in a system designed for speed?

In seven minutes, you can order tests, prescribe meds, and move to the next chart —
but you can’t earn trust.

We’ll unpack why trust has become the most valuable and least billable resource in healthcare…
and how to rebuild it one conversation at a time.

🎧 Listen here → https://youtu.be/bomb6L1t5C8?si=ugW7S9FUzGK2jBg7

10/08/2025

Ever notice how you adjust your rearview mirror in the morning...
and then again on the way home?

Your seat didn’t move.
Your car didn’t shift.
You did.

Here’s the part most people miss —
your spine actually compresses throughout the day.
By 5PM, you’re up to an inch shorter than when you woke up.
That tiny mirror adjustment? It’s your body’s way of showing you.

In this week’s episode of The Talking Rehab Podcast, I share how that simple, unconscious act can become one of the best posture awareness tools you already own.

You’ll learn:
• Why your spine “shrinks” as the day goes on
• What your mirror says about your posture and recovery
• How one 5-second pause can become 730 posture resets a year

It’s not about chasing perfect posture — it’s about paying attention.
Start with the mirror.

🎧 Watch or listen here → https://youtu.be/P3wwsUbBxhU

Most people think of their rearview mirror as just a driving tool — but what if it’s also your most honest posture coach?In this episode, Dr. Fred Bagares un...

10/06/2025

Honored to be recognized in *Coastal Virginia Magazine’s* Top Doctors 2025.

Grateful for the patients who trust me with their care, the colleagues who share in collaboration, and the team that makes personalized, thoughtful medicine possible every day.

At **MSK Direct**, we’ve built something intentionally small—so every visit has the time and precision it deserves.

Thank you for allowing us to keep doing what we love: helping people move, heal, and live with confidence.

— Dr. Fred Bagares
Sports & Spine Medicine | MSK Direct
📍 Virginia Beach, VA
💻 [MSKDirectVB.com]