Michael Basco, Lowering The Cost Of Health Care

Michael Basco grew up in East Los Angeles and served in the Marine Corp before he went to college. When he first started college it was in the field of electrical engineering but then decided that medical school was the path he wanted to take.

He was a clinical OB GYN and emergency room doctor for over 20 years, and has been the National Medical Director for Cigna, working in disease management. He followed this by being the Chief Medical Officer for Molina Healthcare of Texas, dealing with Medicare, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage patients.

In the last five years, Michael has changed his path a bit. He and his family moved to the Washington, DC area for his wife’s employment and at this time he stopped his clinical practice and went to work in the pharmaceutical industry.

Now back in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, he brings his previous experience to bring evidenced based medicine into the limelight, of sorts. He is interacting with payers to tell the different stories of drugs and the value they bring to new products to help improve the quality of life for patients as well as lowering the cost of care.

Michael attended the University of Southern California and obtained his Bachelor’s of science in biology in 1982. He then went to the University of California, San Diego, getting his MD in 1987.

What’s your favorite thing about your chosen profession?

That would be bringing new life into the world and then being part of the celebration of that. I’ve dealt with multiple generations of families and have cared for grandma, mom, sons, and then the sons get married and have children. Coming out to the waiting room and seeing all these familiar faces is just one big happy family and one big party.

What keys to being productive can you share with us?

I think you have to stay positive, always. Be friendly and energetic. If you’re having fun and enjoying your work, it helps bring the added rewards for all your hard work.

Tell us one long-term goal in your career.

I want to make it to retirement with the ability to enjoy it without any type of worries. Just to be alive at the beginning of that retirement to enjoy the benefits of all the hard work through the years.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned through the course of your career?

It doesn’t matter how hard you try to be perfect, you are not, I am not. I think we all have the fantasy that we want to be perfect, but the fact is we are human. Humans are born to make mistakes, that is just the way it is.

What advice would give to others aspiring to succeed in your field?

One word, education. Regardless of who you are, education is key. It allows you to do what you want in life. Without a good solid education, you won’t be as successful or maybe even as happy as you would with it. You need to keep learning, all the time.

I also think it’s important to make sure, upfront, that a career in medicine is truly what you want. Too many people have started this path and stopped. They’ve gotten burned out or whatever their reason may be. This is a demanding career and you really need to be prepared for that.

What are your favorite things to do outside of work?

I like fishing and hunting. I like to play computer games. I think the one thing though that I really enjoy is simply time with my family. Whether we’re doing something special or nothing at all, just time with them is the best thing in the world.

Name a few influential books you’ve read, and/or websites you keep up with, that you recommend to our readers.

I would have to say The Hobbit and the that trilogy, by J.R.R. Tolkien. That is one of the best series to read. I think it’s very entertaining. Another one is the Harry Potter series. Even as an adult I think they’re both great books.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Life has a way of being frustrating at times. I think you have to realize that the whole process takes more time that you anticipate or expect. Not everyone will be going at the same speed that you are or have the same expectations. You have to just relax and when you realize things take time, you will find that life will be less frustrating.