Author: Michael Bertaut

Healthcare Economist Michael Bertaut (BURR-toe) is a Certified Health Consultant and Professional of the Academy of Healthcare Management. He has more than 30 years of analytical experience in the healthcare, telecom and retail industry sectors. On the ground in D.C. when the healthcare reform law (PPACA) was written, Michael has taken part in more than 1,100 public discussions on healthcare costs and the impact of reform since 2009. Mike is a fellow of the Academy of Applied Politics at Louisiana State University, and author of this Hermes Award winning healthcare blog. Michael earned his MBA and BA from Louisiana State University and just celebrated his 35th year as a cancer survivor. Michael is recognized as a national commentator on healthcare reform, quoted in the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and state and local publications. He is a regular guest on the Talk Louisiana radio show.

A new rule about HRAs could change how small employers fund health insurance

The numbers in Louisiana are frankly not too good: only 20% of employers with fewer than 10 employees offer their employees a group health plan.

Read more

Straight Talk’s healthcare economist, Mike Bertaut, appeared on WRKF’s Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster on June 26, 2019.

He’s talking about the future of the ACA and what the courts and Washington, D.C., may do, prescription drug prices, balance billing, and how Blue Cross is using predictive analytics to improve your health.

Read more

If we are ever going to get healthcare costs under control here in the U.S., it’s clear that we will have to get more Americans to develop relationships with primary care providers (PCPs).

Read more

There is an ocean of healthcare data out there. And sometimes, it’s easy to feel like a ship floating in the middle of that water with no destination in sight. At Blue Cross, our lead data expert sees islands of hope as we analyze data and act upon the insights we learn. We find answers that lead us to innovations or confirm new ways that result in better care and health outcomes.
Read more

Note: I originally published this post in February 2017. A lot has changed in the healthcare marketplace since then. And a lot has not. I decided to update this post to see whether I could find a healthcare system two years later.
Read more

Healthcare is expensive. We know that and we are trying to do something about it. Here at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, we are using DATA to solve real healthcare problems.
Read more