ClearPoint Health
Jeb Dunkelberger, founder and CEO of ClearPoint Health, talks about the company’s new initiative focusing on the ‘full spectrum’ of alternative risk solutions for health insurance
ClearPoint Health recently announced the establishment of a comprehensive focus on the ‘full spectrum’ of alternative risk solutions. What motivated you to establish this focus?
The motivation behind ClearPoint Health centres on offering a ‘full spectrum’ of alternative risk solutions to address the significant challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in managing health benefits cost, quality, and experience. The current health insurance landscape in the US disproportionately impacts SMEs.
Our company aims to provide sustainable, transparent, and financially viable solutions that empower employers to take control of their healthcare expenses.
What specific services and offerings will ClearPoint provide to SMEs through this initiative?
We will offer a diverse range of services, including level-funded solutions, traditional medical stop-loss insurance for standalone self-insurers, and various captive solutions such as group and single-parent captives, as well as our proprietary CliniCaptive product. Additionally, we have assembled a carrier panel for traditional stop-loss and level-funded businesses, supported by a network of A-rated carrier partnerships. We have designed an extensive suite of solutions to meet employers where they are, while enhancing control, flexibility, and transparency in managing their health benefits.
The healthcare landscape is rapidly evolving. What are some of the biggest challenges facing employers when providing health insurance today?
Today’s employers face several significant challenges, such as escalating healthcare costs, navigating complex regulatory environments, and finding adaptable benefit solutions that meet the diverse needs of their employees and market conditions.
The surge of new clinical and pharmacy point solutions, though promising, often remains unproven, creating difficulties in configuring effective benefit strategies. Maintaining a balance between comprehensive coverage and affordability to attract and retain talent is also a critical issue. ClearPoint Health’s initiative seeks to address these challenges by offering tailored solutions that help employers manage risks and costs more effectively.
How does being part of a captive solution help SMEs better manage the risks and costs associated with health benefits?
Participating in a captive solution allows SMEs to pool their resources by joining a community with similar entities, gaining access to insurance at reduced costs with more favourable coverage terms and less volatility. Participating employers are also able to access discounts on administrative, clinical, and pharmaceutical services.
Captives reward employers for greater involvement in claims management, underwriting, and loss control activities by sharing in any remaining unused premium dollars, enabling tailored health benefits plans that potentially reduce costs over time. This collaborative approach enhances transparency and control, making healthcare expenses more predictable and manageable.
What are the unique capabilities and innovations ClearPoint Health brings to the table? How will you differentiate your offerings?
We believe ClearPoint Health stands out by offering a comprehensive understanding of alternative risk solutions and a specialised focus on SMEs. One size does not fit all, so we encourage our service teams to seek out a solution rather than push a product.
Our unique capabilities and product suite include tailored captive programmes as well as traditional and level-funded products, which tie together with advanced technology integrations for streamlined operations. We combine our offerings with expert guidance to effectively navigate the complex and constantly changing health benefits landscape. We provide localised expertise, supported by regional vice presidents dispersed across the country. Our advisor-first approach ensures we deliver high-quality service and innovative solutions that meet the specific needs of our clients.
How does ClearPoint Health’s approach give employers the flexibility to select preferred partners for services like third-party administrators (TPA) and pharmacy benefit managers (PBM), and why is that important?
Encouraging employers and benefit advisors to select preferred service providers, including TPA, PBM, and networks, is crucial for tailoring healthcare solutions to their unique requirements. Networks and PBM are essential for creating customised healthcare solutions that meet their specific needs.
This flexibility helps employers negotiate better terms, manage costs more effectively, and ensure that the services align closely with their health benefits strategies and objectives.
As we look ahead, what do you see as the biggest opportunities in the medical stop-loss captive space?
The biggest opportunities in the medical stop-loss captive space include expanding into underserved markets, modernising advisor, carrier, and employer experiences, utilising technology to improve data analytics and risk assessment capabilities, and developing innovative insurance products that address the evolving needs of employers.
We are seeing an increase in employers rejecting the status quo, as costs continue to rise at unsustainable rates.
The rapid growth of group medical stop-loss captives and the increasing interest in single-parent captives represent significant opportunities for ClearPoint Health to provide scalable, sustainable solutions.
Since launching the new initiative, what has the early reception been like from employers and advisors?
The early reception to ClearPoint Health’s new initiative has been incredibly positive, requiring us to scale the company at a much faster rate.
Employers and benefit advisors have shown significant interest in our innovative approach to health benefits, recognising the potential for cost savings, transparency, and enhanced control.
Positive feedback and growing engagement from potential clients and industry experts indicate a strong start for our product suite, aligning with our mission to make employee benefits more affordable and of higher quality.
