Over the next month, Built In Chicago will be featuring some “hot” startups across the various neighborhoods that, although may feel like different worlds at times, make up Chicago’s budding digital ecosystem. To recommend a startup or neighborhood of Chicago that deserves some love, email [email protected].
Consumer-marketing organization ConnectedHealth founders John Fiacco and Joe Donlan set out in 2009 to help companies grow by helping them offer competitive benefit packages to their employees. With their consumer-focused ecommerce benefits platform, Bucktown-based ConnectedHealth creates an organized marketplace with several plan options for employers to directly choose from or access via payroll companies, consultants or health plans.
Why they do what they do: “Businesses today, and really for the last 15 years, have been struggling with healthcare costs,” Donlan said. “As a result, they have seen a negative impact on their bottom-line. But at the same time, we know that for an employer to grow their business, they need to offer a competitive benefits package to acquire and retain key talent. We also know that employees that have the appropriate insurance coverage tend to be healthier and more productive in the workplace.”
Their specs: Over 20 million users nationwide. 50-person team.
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What they are working on going into 2014: “Our big focus right now is helping our clients through their open enrollment season,” Donlan said. With all of the changes occurring in healthcare as a result of the Affordable Care Act, employers need more and more help managing costs and remaining competitive. The ConnectedHealth team is excited by these changes, which will push them to innovate in ways to help companies implement new solutions.
