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From ER Nurse to Healthcare Entrepreneur: Transforming Primary Care

What happens when a bedside ER nurse discovers the healthcare system is designed to keep people sick rather than make them well?

In this revealing episode of The CLEARly Beneficial Podcast, host Vincent Catalano sits down with Nathan Baar, RN, Founder and CEO of HealthBar, to unpack one of healthcare’s most troubling contradictions. Nathan shares his eye-opening journey from emergency room nursing to hospital administration, where he witnessed firsthand how health systems talk about population health and preventative care while actually planning for higher patient volumes and increased revenue from sickness.

This disconnect became the catalyst for HealthBar, Nathan’s revolutionary approach to primary care that brings relationship-based healthcare directly to employers through on-site and virtual services. By focusing on nurse practitioners, combining traditional and functional medicine, and operating as a true fiduciary for patients’ health, HealthBar is proving that better care at lower costs isn’t just possible—it’s already happening.

In This Episode You’ll Discover:

• Why healthcare education teaches population health while hospitals plan for more sick patients
• How HealthBar delivers primary care to employers with 200+ employees through a hybrid on-site/virtual model
• Why nurse practitioners are ideally suited for relationship-based primary care
• What fiduciary responsibility means in clinical decision-making and why it matters
• How capitated payment models align incentives with better patient outcomes
• The importance of care navigation in reducing waste and preventing readmissions
• Nathan's vision for separating catastrophic care from routine primary care through payer model reform

Whether you’re an insurance broker seeking better solutions for clients, an HR professional managing employee benefits, or simply someone who cares about fixing our broken healthcare system, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical insights into what’s possible when we put patients first.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Nathan Baar is a registered nurse and the Founder and CEO of HealthBar, a business developing care delivery innovation and healthcare payment model disruption. He started his career as a bedside ER nurse, eventually becoming Director of Emergency Services for University of Michigan Health-West. During his 13 years in the health system, he gained valuable insights as a clinical provider and significant expertise in the corporate functions of the healthcare system. These formative experiences were the catalyst for HealthBar and his desire to fundamentally change how primary and preventative care are viewed in the US.

ABOUT THE HOST:

Vincent Catalano is the CEO of CLEAR Healthcare Solutions and host of The CLEARly Beneficial Podcast. With decades of experience in the insurance brokerage industry, Vinny brings straight talk and actionable insights to healthcare benefits, helping brokers, employers, and HR professionals navigate the complex world of employee health benefits.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical or financial advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider or benefits administrator for personalized guidance regarding your specific situation.