Guest: Jeb Dunkelberger, Founder and CEO of ClearPoint Health

Introduction:

• Welcome to the Healthcare Nation Podcast.
• Today's focus is on policy and the payer space with guest Jeb Dunkelberger.

Guest Introduction:

• Jeb Dunkelberger, founder, and CEO of ClearPoint Health, specializes in empowering small and mid-sized companies with innovative employer benefit solutions.
• Background includes C-suite positions in healthcare insurance, a master's in Healthcare Innovation from Penn, and a passion for improving clinical delivery and insurance risk.

Discussion Highlights:

1. Rising Healthcare Costs:
   • Primary drivers include rising costs of claims, underpayment issues in Medicare and Medicaid, and labor shortages in clinical settings.
2. Challenges for Small and Mid-Size Businesses:
   • Small businesses face unique burdens such as wearing multiple hats, limited leverage, and reliance on standardized insurance solutions.
   • Importance of having creative benefit advisors to navigate the complex insurance market.
3. Fully Insured Insurance Models:
   • Limitations include lack of transparency and perverse incentives for insurers.
   • Small businesses moving towards self-funding and level funding to gain better control and transparency.
4. Innovative Insurance Models:
   • Medical Stop-Loss Captives: Pooling risks of small businesses to make insurance more affordable.
   • Benefits include returning unused premiums to employers and fostering community among small businesses.
5. Regulatory and Economic Factors:
   • Regulatory challenges include managing federal and state laws, and the impact of policy changes like the Affordable Care Act.
   • Economic factors influencing the insurance market and the importance of creative solutions for cost management.
6. ClearPoint Health:
   • ClearPoint Health focuses on creating transparent, efficient insurance models for small businesses.
   • Emphasis on leveraging technology, community building, and innovative insurance solutions like medical stop-loss captives.

Conclusion:

• The importance of humility, perseverance, and taking action in the healthcare industry.
• Jeb's personal story and mission to improve the healthcare system for small businesses and their employees.

Call to Action:

• Visit ClearPoint Health's website for more information.
• Stay tuned for the next episode of the Healthcare Nation Podcast.