Thaddeus Bell, MD

Thaddeus Bell, MD has been a family doctor for over 45 years and is a passionate advocate and expert on health disparities. He runs a private practice in Charleston, South Carolina. As a solo practitioner with one office manager and no other staff, Dr. Bell not only sees and cares for patients, but he also is the one to call insurance companies when they deny his patients the care they need. “It’s a hassle to be on the telephone with insurance companies so often, getting prior authorization, telling health insurance companies why I want to do XYZ with my patient,” he said. “It takes a significant amount of time.” Most frustrating for Dr. Bell is when a patient changes insurance companies, and the new company wants the patient to get on cheaper medications than the ones that are already working for them. “I have to jump through hurdles to keep my patient on the medicine that works,” he said. “That doesn’t seem right.”