PHOENIX, Ariz. (Aug. 15, 2023) — Inc. revealed today that Vālenz® Health ranked again as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America: No. 3646 on the 2023 Inc. 5000, and No. 215 among health services companies. The prestigious ranking provides a data-driven look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment. Facebook, Chobani, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia and many other brands first gained national exposure as Inc. 5000 honorees before becoming household names over the years.
“It’s truly an honor to be recognized again as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies, and it reinforces the culture that drives our core promise to deliver smarter, better, faster healthcare,” said Rob Gelb, Chief Executive Officer of Valenz. “By reimagining a transparent, data-rich approach to simplifying the complexity of self-insurance for employers, we deliver the measurable care management, network innovations and early engagement for improved health outcomes and significant savings, facilitating growth for our company and for our customers.”
Valenz joined the Inc. 5000 list for the first time in 2020 and has continued to experience consistent growth since then. The Inc. 5000 class of 2023 represents companies that have driven rapid revenue growth while navigating inflationary pressure, the rising costs of capital, and seemingly intractable hiring challenges. Among this year’s top 500 companies, the average median three-year revenue growth rate ticked up to an astonishing 2,238 percent. In all, this year’s Inc. 5000 companies have added 1,187,266 jobs to the economy over the past three years.
The top 500 companies are featured in the September issue of Inc. magazine, available on newsstands beginning Tuesday, Aug. 23.
“Running a business has only gotten harder since the end of the pandemic,” said Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. “To make the Inc. 5000 – with the fast growth that it requires – is truly an accomplishment. Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies that are building our future.”
About Vālenz® Health
Vālenz® Health simplifies the complexities of self-insurance for employers through a steadfast commitment to data transparency and decision enablement powered by its Healthcare Ecosystem Optimization Platform. Offering a strong foundation with deep roots in clinical and member advocacy, alongside decades of expertise in the validation, integrity and accuracy of claims, and a suite of risk affinity solutions, Valenz optimizes healthcare for the provider, payer, plan and member. By leveraging data transparency and delivering an omnichannel approach across the healthcare journey, Valenz improves cost, quality and outcomes for employers and their members – engaging early and often for smarter, better, faster healthcare.
About the Inc. 5000 Methodology
Companies on the 2023 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2019 to 2022. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2019. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2022. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2019 is $100,000; the minimum for 2022 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Growth rates used to determine company rankings were calculated to four decimal places.
About Inc.
Inc. Business Media is the leading multimedia brand for entrepreneurs. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of our community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating our future. Inc.’s award-winning work reaches more than 50 million people across a variety of channels, including events, print, digital, video, podcasts, newsletters, and social media. Its proprietary Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to rank the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The recognition that comes with inclusion on this and other prestigious Inc. lists, such as Female Founders and Power Partners, gives the founders of top businesses the opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. For more information, visit www.inc.com.
Vālenz® Health and zakipoint Health Join Partnership, Create Innovative Digital Front Door to Care
/in Announcements, Featured, Integrations, Press/by Maris PanjadaPHOENIX, Ariz. (September 22, 2023) — Vālenz® Health announces a partnership with zakipoint Health as they introduce a fully integrated digital front door to care for self-insured employers and their members. Together, the two companies have created zConnect, a user-friendly mobile app that engages members and enhances access to key healthcare data — including cost and quality ratings, plan benefit details, comprehensive lists of in-network procedures and providers, and more.
The zConnect app, piloted among thousands of members, is now available for self-insured employers to integrate into their health plans for improving engagement and connecting members to the Valenz Healthcare Ecosystem Optimization Platform.
“It’s increasingly important to give members omnichannel access to the information they need – when and where they need it – to make more informed decisions about their care,” said Rob Gelb, Chief Executive Officer of Valenz. “Not only are we delivering a key provider search tool in zConnect, but we are also offering insights at every major touchpoint of the healthcare journey – from provider selection and one-on-one chats with nurse navigators to administrative features such as claims and care history, coverage details, ID cards, and much more. Engaging early and often with members via zConnect is a critical component of the Valenz promise to ensure smarter, better, faster healthcare.”
The zConnect app uses a simple, configurable approach to integrate data from the complete range of benefit partners: medical, pharmacy, vision, dental and more.
“Members have lacked price transparency, benefits navigation, and a clear understanding of what actions to take – creating massive inefficiencies in the way they consume healthcare,” said Ramesh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of zakipoint Health. “By combining our member-facing and employer-facing tools with the unique work Valenz Health does to manage risks and costs, we have an effective offering for self-insured plans.”
Already utilized by thousands of members, zConnect aims to seamlessly decrease plan spend for employers while empowering members to take charge of their care for improved health outcomes.
“Expect Valenz and zakipoint Health to accelerate innovation and uncover new ways to expand the support from this solution, as together we facilitate the potential for greater consumerism in healthcare,” Kumar said.
More information can be found at valenzhealth.com/members/digital-solutions.
About Vālenz® Health
Vālenz® Health simplifies the complexity of self-insurance for employers through a steadfast commitment to data transparency and decision enablement powered by its Healthcare Ecosystem Optimization Platform. Offering a strong foundation with deep roots in clinical and member advocacy, alongside decades of expertise in the validation, integrity and accuracy of claims, and a suite of risk affinity solutions, Valenz optimizes healthcare for the provider, payer, plan and member. By leveraging data transparency and delivering an omnichannel approach across the healthcare journey, Valenz improves cost, quality and outcomes for employers and their members – engaging early and often for smarter, better, faster healthcare. More information is available at valenzhealth.com.
About zakipoint Health, Inc.
zakipoint Health is a company on a mission to bring transparency, direction and personalization to healthcare consumers, bringing all benefit services, data, insights and tools into one place for members on a self-insured plan. With a best-in-class platform, reporting, and engagement tools, we identify risks, drive action, connect with members and track success, empowering companies to reduce risk and costs while creating healthier, more engaged members.
Vālenz® Health Acquires KISx Card, LLC, Enhancing Solutions for High-Cost Surgical and Imaging Procedures
/in Announcements, Featured, Integrations, Press/by Maris PanjadaPHOENIX, Ariz. (Sept. 15, 2023) — Vālenz® Health announced today it has acquired KISx Card, LLC, a leader in providing self-funded plans with simplified member access to high-quality, direct-provider “non-network” solutions and care navigation for many high-spend surgical and imaging encounters.
Expanding on the foundation of the Valenz Care Value Optimizer (CVO), the KISx Card company will become Vālenz® Health. Members who sign up for benefits and are eligible for surgical and imaging care will have access to care navigators who will facilitate their care and treatment with high-quality providers nationwide for procedures within general surgery, major imaging, colonoscopies and orthopedics.
Valenz navigators leverage the CVO to identify the best available care options based on members’ income, location, benefits and healthcare need. Ultimately, the Valenz CVO keeps members in-network for the best possible care at the lowest cost, making it an excellent fit for integrating the member-centric services of KISx Card.
“We are thrilled to bring KISx Card, their clients and their members into the growing Valenz family,” said Rob Gelb, Chief Executive Officer of Valenz. “This creates the opportunity to strengthen the Care Value Optimizer by offering seamless access to surgical and imaging services, along with concierge member navigation and scheduling support. Our customers will benefit from a transformative direction-of-care model supported by a unique blend of access points, surgical care/imaging bundles and charity care options, driving optimized experiences and significant savings.”
After a nearly year-long partnership offering KISx Card services through the CVO, this is the fifth acquisition since May 2022 for Valenz, which was recently named to the annual Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies. In fortifying the Valenz Healthcare Ecosystem Optimization Platform, a single platform of fully integrated data-driven solutions, KISx Card offers savings ranging from 30 to 80 percent per procedure.
“With a shared commitment to minimizing costs and simplifying the complexities of healthcare, we see this as a great match for our companies,” said TJ Morrison, President of KISx Card. “We look forward to being part of the Valenz vision and culture, as together we accelerate growth and value for clients while enhancing the member experience and supporting them in their health journey.”
About Vālenz® Health
Vālenz® Health simplifies the complexity of self-insurance for employers by consolidating health plan solutions on a single platform – the industry-leading Healthcare Ecosystem Optimization Platform. Valenz has deep roots in clinical and member advocacy, alongside decades of expertise in the validation, integrity and accuracy of claims, and a suite of risk affinity solutions. With a steadfast commitment to data transparency and decision enablement, and an omnichannel approach across the healthcare journey, Valenz engages early and often to optimize healthcare for the provider, payer, plan and member, delivering improved cost, quality and outcomes for employers and their members – for smarter, better, faster healthcare. More information is available at valenzhealth.com.
About KISx Card
KISx Card, LLC was created as a solution for self-funded employers to tackle egregious surgical pricing while bringing simplicity to the employee experience. The KISx Card focuses on high-cost/low-incidence surgeries within orthopedics, general surgery, colonoscopies and major imaging. The KISx Card direct provider “non-network” is built on a bundled price model with a quick payment turnaround time to the facility, surgeon and anesthesiologist.
$1 Million Cost Savings for Individual Group by Valenz Integrated Health Plan Solution Validated by the Validation Institute
/in Announcements, Featured, Press/by Maris PanjadaPHOENIX, Ariz. (Sept. 6, 2023) — The methodology used by Vālenz® Health to analyze and report cost savings by deploying a new health plan solution, as detailed in a recent case study, has achieved Program Validation for Savings from the Validation Institute.
The Validation Institute certified that “Valenz lowers costs for employers with better discounts on healthcare providers’ billed charges, as well as with a specialty drug program that taps into manufacturer and patient assistance sources.”
The Valenz case study included a consortium of three schools in Missouri with 353 employees and 721 members that was experiencing year-after-year double-digit premium increases under a fully insured health plan. With minimal transparency into claims data, school administrators had little control over the rising trajectory of costs. After implementing the full health plan solution – the Valenz Healthcare Ecosystem Optimization Platform – the consortium saved $1 million in the first year. According to Valenz officials, the company also returned $629,050 in savings for care management. While not validated, as care management savings at the individual member level is not factored into the Validation Institute methodology, total savings excluding drug rebates was $1.68 million.
“This affirmation from the Validation Institute underscores the opportunity for self-insured employers to completely replace their health plan to drive savings and enhance the member’s healthcare journey with proactive care management with the Healthcare Ecosystem Optimization Platform,” said Rob Gelb, Chief Executive Officer of Valenz. “While our customers have long known the power of the Valenz data-driven platform, the validated case study demonstrates to the market how smarter, better, faster healthcare can be achieved.”
According to recent studies, nearly two-thirds of employers are looking for innovative cost-containment solutions that increase employee access to high-quality providers, make costs more transparent, and ultimately reduce out-of-pocket expenses for specialty drugs.
“Providing a deep level of data transparency – not just into the pricing, but into cost, quality and utilization – is the first step in improving health plan benefits. It’s the same commitment to data transparency that allows us to deliver next-generation, integrated health plan designs with the value self-insured employers deserve,” Gelb said.
“By providing integrated service delivery through its Healthcare Ecosystem Optimization Platform, Valenz Health has demonstrated a clear pathway to more cost-effective and more efficient healthcare for self-insured plans,” said Benny DiCecca, Chief Executive Officer of the Validation Institute.
Read the full case study here.
About Vālenz® Health
Vālenz® Health simplifies the complexities of self-insurance for employers through a steadfast commitment to data transparency and decision enablement powered by its Healthcare Ecosystem Optimization Platform. Offering a strong foundation with deep roots in clinical and member advocacy, alongside decades of expertise in the validation, integrity and accuracy of claims, and a suite of risk affinity solutions, Valenz optimizes healthcare for the provider, payer, plan and member. By leveraging data transparency and delivering an omnichannel approach across the healthcare journey, Valenz improves cost, quality and outcomes for employers and their members – engaging early and often for smarter, better, faster healthcare. More information is available at valenzhealth.com.
About Validation Institute
Validation Institute is an independent, objective, 3rd party organization on a mission to improve the quality and cost of healthcare. Based in Needham, MA, the organization is made up of a network of health benefits purchasers, health benefits advisors, and healthcare solution providers focused on delivering better health value and stronger outcomes than conventional healthcare.
Vālenz® Margaret Lemkin, PhD, Announces Retirement From Vālenz® Health Beginning September 1
/in Announcements, Featured, Press/by Maris PanjadaPHOENIX, Ariz. (August 25, 2023) — Margaret Lemkin, PhD, who has served the multi-employer labor space and Taft-Hartley Funds clients for nearly 40 years, announces her retirement from Vālenz® Health beginning September 1, 2023.
Lemkin founded Med-Care Management Inc., which provided medical cost management services for Taft-Hartley Funds, in 1986. After Med-Care became a subsidiary of MCM Solutions for Better Health in 2014, Lemkin continued to drive the success of Taft-Hartley Funds as self-insured health plans while serving as president.
Valenz acquired MCM and its Med-Care subsidiary in July 2022, further enhancing its support of Taft-Hartley Funds with member and clinical advocacy through concierge navigation and triple URAC-accredited services for care management, disease management and utilization review as part of its Healthcare Ecosystem Optimization Platform. As Executive Vice President, Client Services, Government & Labor, Lemkin has leveraged her deep data expertise to provide clients with highly sophisticated analysis and reports that identify cost drivers and savings trends.
“Margaret is truly an industry legend in serving Taft-Hartley Trusts with expert-level care management and cost-containment solutions,” said Amy Gasbarro, Chief Care Officer of Valenz. “Her many years of groundbreaking leadership and longtime passion for her work have been a tremendous asset for Valenz in advising multi-employer groups, labor associations and public entities. We are thrilled to now see her take the next steps in her life journey, and we wish her the greatest happiness and fulfillment.”
Besides serving as founder and president of Med-Care Management, Lemkin’s extensive career accomplishments include initiation of the first data repository used by multi-employer clients to manage the cost of care and member engagement. As she now begins to offer her expertise through consulting services, Lemkin will continue to support Valenz and its Taft-Hartley clients on an as-needed basis.
“It’s been an amazing honor to spend my career serving the multi-employer labor space, and I’ve had a great experience working alongside such a talented team at Valenz Health,” Lemkin said. “While I am looking forward to what comes next, I’m thrilled to be continuing a working relationship with Valenz and positioning clients for long-term health and success.”
Lemkin earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Wellesley College and received her PhD in cell biology from the world-renowned Yale University School of Medicine. As a longtime member and regular advisor and educator for the International Foundation of Benefit Plans, she is currently Chair of the IFEBP Health Care Management Committee. She will continue working with the IFEBP, and hopes to play an active role in her Arizona community and travel the world.
About Vālenz® Health
Vālenz® Health simplifies the complexities of self-insurance for employers through a steadfast commitment to data transparency and decision enablement powered by its Healthcare Ecosystem Optimization Platform. Offering a strong foundation with deep roots in clinical and member advocacy, alongside decades of expertise in the validation, integrity and accuracy of claims, and a suite of risk affinity solutions, Valenz optimizes healthcare for the provider, payer, plan and member. By leveraging data transparency and delivering an omnichannel approach across the healthcare journey, Valenz improves cost, quality and outcomes for employers and their members – engaging early and often for smarter, better, faster healthcare. More information is available at valenzhealth.com.
Vālenz® Health Ranks No. 3646 Among America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies
/in Announcements, Featured, Press/by Maris PanjadaPHOENIX, Ariz. (Aug. 15, 2023) — Inc. revealed today that Vālenz® Health ranked again as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America: No. 3646 on the 2023 Inc. 5000, and No. 215 among health services companies. The prestigious ranking provides a data-driven look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment. Facebook, Chobani, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia and many other brands first gained national exposure as Inc. 5000 honorees before becoming household names over the years.
“It’s truly an honor to be recognized again as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies, and it reinforces the culture that drives our core promise to deliver smarter, better, faster healthcare,” said Rob Gelb, Chief Executive Officer of Valenz. “By reimagining a transparent, data-rich approach to simplifying the complexity of self-insurance for employers, we deliver the measurable care management, network innovations and early engagement for improved health outcomes and significant savings, facilitating growth for our company and for our customers.”
Valenz joined the Inc. 5000 list for the first time in 2020 and has continued to experience consistent growth since then. The Inc. 5000 class of 2023 represents companies that have driven rapid revenue growth while navigating inflationary pressure, the rising costs of capital, and seemingly intractable hiring challenges. Among this year’s top 500 companies, the average median three-year revenue growth rate ticked up to an astonishing 2,238 percent. In all, this year’s Inc. 5000 companies have added 1,187,266 jobs to the economy over the past three years.
The top 500 companies are featured in the September issue of Inc. magazine, available on newsstands beginning Tuesday, Aug. 23.
“Running a business has only gotten harder since the end of the pandemic,” said Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. “To make the Inc. 5000 – with the fast growth that it requires – is truly an accomplishment. Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies that are building our future.”
About Vālenz® Health
Vālenz® Health simplifies the complexities of self-insurance for employers through a steadfast commitment to data transparency and decision enablement powered by its Healthcare Ecosystem Optimization Platform. Offering a strong foundation with deep roots in clinical and member advocacy, alongside decades of expertise in the validation, integrity and accuracy of claims, and a suite of risk affinity solutions, Valenz optimizes healthcare for the provider, payer, plan and member. By leveraging data transparency and delivering an omnichannel approach across the healthcare journey, Valenz improves cost, quality and outcomes for employers and their members – engaging early and often for smarter, better, faster healthcare.
About the Inc. 5000 Methodology
Companies on the 2023 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2019 to 2022. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2019. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2022. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2019 is $100,000; the minimum for 2022 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Growth rates used to determine company rankings were calculated to four decimal places.
About Inc.
Inc. Business Media is the leading multimedia brand for entrepreneurs. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of our community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating our future. Inc.’s award-winning work reaches more than 50 million people across a variety of channels, including events, print, digital, video, podcasts, newsletters, and social media. Its proprietary Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to rank the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The recognition that comes with inclusion on this and other prestigious Inc. lists, such as Female Founders and Power Partners, gives the founders of top businesses the opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. For more information, visit www.inc.com.
Vālenz® Health Will Serve as Annual Corporate Sponsor of HCAA TPA Summit
/in Announcements, Events, Featured, Press/by Maris PanjadaPHOENIX, Ariz. (July 7, 2023) — As a proud sponsor of the 2023 HCAA TPA Summit, Vālenz® Health leaders announce plans to participate in the annual networking and education event for third-party administrators and related service providers this month.
The focus of the HCAA TPA Summit, “From Chaos to Clarity,” aligns with the Valenz culture that emphasizes simplifying the complexities of healthcare and putting the customer first in solving the industry’s self-insurance challenges.
“As corporate sponsor of what is always an enlightening event, we expect many productive conversations at the HCAA TPA Summit about how transparency helps us reimagine what a health plan should be,” said Rob Gelb, Chief Executive Officer of Valenz.
“Healthcare feels driven by chaos because the industry structure stands in the way of the member’s ability to understand their benefits and coverage, their out-of-pocket costs, and how to find the right provider. True clarity comes from deep data transparency and starts with a single point of entry into a fully integrated Healthcare Ecosystem Optimization Platform,” Gelb added. “As we engage early and often to share those insights, we drive alignment of everyone involved in a claim and empower better decision-making across the board. Ultimately, that transparency serves to facilitate improved cost savings, plan design, quality of care and member experience.”
The HCAA TPA Summit will be held July 17-19 at the Hyatt Regency Reunion Tower in Dallas. Event attendees from Valenz include Steve Illions, Vice President, Business Development; Kaylee Davis, Client Services Executive; Alex Ruiz, Client Services Executive; and Steve Butz, Senior Vice President, Business Development for Certus Management Group, a Valenz affinity company.
Registration and schedule for the HCAA TPA Summit: https://www.hcaa.org/page/2023TPASummit
About Vālenz® Health
Vālenz® Health simplifies the complexities of self-insurance for employers through a steadfast commitment to data transparency and decision enablement powered by its Healthcare Ecosystem Optimization Platform. Offering a strong foundation with deep roots in clinical and member advocacy, alongside decades of expertise in the validation, integrity and accuracy of claims, and a suite of risk affinity solutions, Valenz optimizes healthcare for the provider, payer, plan and member. By leveraging data transparency and delivering an omnichannel approach across the healthcare journey, Valenz improves cost, quality and outcomes for employers and their members – engaging early and often for smarter, better, faster healthcare. More information at valenzhealth.com.
Vālenz® Health CEO Will Lead Live Conversation on Data Transparency for the Self-Insured Industry
/in Announcements, Events, Featured, Press/by Maris PanjadaPHOENIX, Ariz. (June 30, 2023) — Rob Gelb, Chief Executive Officer of Vālenz® Health, will lead an online discussion on July 12 that addresses the impact of heightened data transparency in healthcare, including how the self-insured industry should access, share and leverage data-driven insights for better decisions and greater value.
The live conversation wraps up the monthlong Valenz “SME Series” LinkedIn content series, which featured subject matter experts from the leadership teams of Valenz and Certus Management Group, a Valenz affinity company. In taking a closer look at transparency for the self-insured industry, weekly discussions touched on the validation, integrity and accuracy of payments for providers; better care management and delivery for members; driving alignment, savings and efficiency throughout the claims process; and improving risk mitigation and medical underwriting services.
“We expect to cap our SME Series with a very lively, relevant conversation that explores transparency’s foundational role in helping our customers make better decisions about their own care,” said Gelb, who will be joined by Eric Hanna, Vice President, Claim and Access Solutions. “Transparency into data provides the answers our customers need about pricing, out-of-pocket expenses, plan design, provider insights and much more. Ultimately, it empowers them to become informed healthcare consumers, driving more positive experiences and improved outcomes.”
The live SME Series event will be held at 11:30 a.m. ET Wednesday, July 12, and may be joined here: bit.ly/ValenzSME-Live. This session will include a Q&A opportunity with the audience.
Catch up on the SME Series:
About Vālenz® Health
Vālenz® Health simplifies the complexities of self-insurance for employers through a steadfast commitment to data transparency and decision enablement powered by its Healthcare Ecosystem Optimization Platform. Offering a strong foundation with deep roots in clinical and member advocacy, alongside decades of expertise in the validation, integrity and accuracy of claims, and a suite of risk affinity solutions, Valenz optimizes healthcare for the provider, payer, plan and member. By leveraging data transparency and delivering an omnichannel approach across the healthcare journey, Valenz improves cost, quality and outcomes for employers and their members – engaging early and often for smarter, better, faster healthcare. More information is available at valenzhealth.com.
Vālenz® Health Announces Next Phase of Growth With New Capital Partner, Kelso & Company
/in Announcements, Featured, Integrations, Press/by Maris PanjadaPHOENIX, Ariz. (June 21, 2023) — Vālenz® Health (“Valenz”) announced today a new equity investment from Kelso & Company (“Kelso”), a leading middle market private equity firm with a shared vision for accelerating positive change in the delivery of healthcare for the self-insured industry. Terms of the investment were not disclosed.
Valenz has a strong financial foundation secured by its initial investor Great Point Partners and further supported by its new partnership with Kelso. Valenz is exceptionally well positioned to continue its legacy as a disruptor in the healthcare ecosystem, bringing greater value to TPAs, providers, carriers, brokers, self-insured employers, and their members.
“We are excited to align with a capital partner who believes as intensely as we do in challenging the status quo of healthcare,” said Rob Gelb, Chief Executive Officer of Valenz. “Kelso instantly recognized the power of the Valenz Healthcare Ecosystem Optimization Platform and shares our commitment to ensuring deep data transparency across our transformative models of cost control, access, and member advocacy.”
The partnership with Kelso ensures a healthy future for Valenz, its 300+ employees and its growing customer base. “At Kelso, we are inspired by how Valenz solves challenges in the self-insured industry that others cannot. Their integrated ecosystem strategy, coupled with an expanding pipeline of point solutions, offers so many levers to accelerate growth and value for customers,” said Hank Mannix, Investment Partner. “We are thrilled to partner with a leadership team that dares to be great and approaches customer partnerships with a fundamental belief that smarter, better, faster healthcare is possible.”
With increased financial flexibility and partnership from Kelso, Valenz will further invest in organic and acquisitive growth, as well as its culture of innovation. “Expect key investments in our data warehouse, member-facing tools that simplify the complexities of healthcare, and new solutions to change the trajectory of rising health costs while creating delightful member experiences and ensuring strong, vigorous and healthy lives for everyone in our ecosystem,” Gelb said.
TripleTree, LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to Valenz. Harris Williams acted as exclusive financial advisor to Kelso.
About Vālenz® Health
Vālenz® Health simplifies the complexities of self-insurance for employers through a steadfast commitment to data transparency and decision enablement powered by its Healthcare Ecosystem Optimization Platform. Offering a strong foundation with deep roots in clinical and member advocacy, alongside decades of expertise in the validation, integrity and accuracy of claims, and a suite of risk affinity solutions, Valenz optimizes healthcare for the provider, payer, plan and member. By leveraging data transparency and delivering an omnichannel approach across the healthcare journey, Valenz improves cost, quality and outcomes for employers and their members – engaging early and often for smarter, better, faster healthcare. More information is available at valenzhealth.com.
About Kelso & Company
Kelso & Company is one of the oldest and most established firms specializing in private equity investing. Since 1980, Kelso has invested approximately $19 billion of equity capital in 140 transactions. Kelso was founded by the inventor of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), and as a result, the principles of partnership and alignment of interest serve as the foundation of the firm’s investment philosophy. Kelso benefits from a successful investment track record, deep sector expertise, a long-tenured investing team, and a reputation as a preferred partner to management teams and corporates. Kelso has significant experience investing in healthcare and financial services. For more information, please visit kelso.com.
Vālenz® Health is Series Sponsor of True Captive Benefits Event in Detroit
/in Announcements, Events, Featured, Press/by Maris PanjadaPHOENIX, Ariz. (June 9, 2023) — Vālenz® Health (Valenz) will join the True Captive team in Detroit next week as series sponsor of “The Future of Business & Benefits is Now,” a networking and educational event that addresses actions needed to drive a more effective health plan and benefits structure for businesses.
Valenz CEO Rob Gelb, who will be among the event speakers, said: “We’re looking forward to sponsoring and participating in this key event as we discuss taking more proactive steps to ensure success for the future of benefits and our business. While the employees of every business need improved access to clinical programs and more cost-effective healthcare, companies need to know how to structure their plan for better benefits and lower expenses across the board.”
Kevin O’Donnell, Senior Vice President, Product & Marketing for Valenz, also will attend the event, held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 12 at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI. The event features the option of lunch, happy hour, and the Detroit Tigers’ baseball game against the Atlanta Braves. All proceeds from event ticket sales are donated to Heroes Circle, a healing and wellness initiative that offers evidence-based martial arts therapy to children in partnership with Kids Kicking Cancer, with a matching donation from True Captive. Attendees are encouraged to connect with Valenz about its suite of data-driven solutions that flatten the trajectory of health plan costs, empowering the self-insurance industry to thrive.
About Vālenz® Health
Vālenz® Health simplifies the complexities of self-insurance for employers through a steadfast commitment to data transparency and decision enablement powered by its Healthcare Ecosystem Optimization Platform. Offering a strong foundation with deep roots in clinical and member advocacy, alongside decades of expertise in the validation, integrity and accuracy of claims, and a suite of risk affinity solutions, Valenz optimizes healthcare for the provider, payer, plan and member. By leveraging data transparency and delivering an omnichannel approach across the healthcare journey, Valenz improves cost, quality and outcomes for employers and their members – engaging early and often for smarter, better, faster healthcare. More information is available at valenzhealth.com.
Vālenz® Health CEO Will Join High-Profile Panel at SIIA Corporate Growth Forum
/in Announcements, Events, Featured, Press/by Maris PanjadaPHOENIX, Ariz. (May 5, 2023) — The SIIA Corporate Growth Forum, a key educational and networking event for companies in the self-insurance and captive insurance marketplace, will feature a panel of high-profile industry leaders including Robert Gelb, Chief Executive Officer of Vālenz® Health.
Participants in the session, “Real World Financial Transaction Stories from SIIA Members,” will share pathways to success as well as lessons learned from their own corporate transactions. Panel members joining Gelb include moderator Amanda Eisel, CEO of Zelis; and Bill Ashley, Executive Vice President of Allied National; Jeff Bakke, CEO of Health EZ; and Ben Frisch, CEO of Point C.
“The SIIA Corporate Growth Forum is a must-attend event for any industry executive looking to take their business to the next level,” Gelb said. “We expect a lively session with valuable insights into what went right, what went wrong – what we like to call ‘spilled milk’ – and what we wish we’d known prior to our transactions. We’re also looking forward to many great discussions throughout the Forum about the latest trends and strategies in corporate growth.”
Scheduled for May 15-17 at the Westin Poinsett in Greenville, S.C., the SIIA Corporate Growth Forum is designed to provide a deeper understanding of growth strategies through corporate financial transactions, while also facilitating direct engagement with select equity groups. The event program emphasizes industry topics specific to entrepreneurs and strategic planning executives who are interested in exploring private equity options and developing relationships to further their business objectives.
Also representing Valenz, a SIIA Diamond Member, will be Nathan Nelson, Chief Revenue Officer. Attendees are encouraged to connect with Valenz about the industry’s only Healthcare Ecosystem Optimization Platform, offering a suite of integrated and data-driven solutions that flatten the trajectory of health plan costs while helping the self-insurance industry thrive.
About Vālenz® Health
Vālenz® Health simplifies the complexities of self-insurance for employers through a steadfast commitment to data transparency and decision enablement powered by its Healthcare Ecosystem Optimization Platform. Offering a strong foundation with deep roots in clinical and member advocacy, alongside decades of expertise in the validation, integrity and accuracy of claims, and a suite of risk affinity solutions, Valenz optimizes healthcare for the provider, payer, plan and member. By leveraging data transparency and delivering an omnichannel approach across the healthcare journey, Valenz improves cost, quality and outcomes for employers and their members – engaging early and often for smarter, better, faster healthcare. More information is available at valenzhealth.com.