#502 - Patrick Quigley, CEO at Sidecar Health

Engineering Solutions to Healthcare Problems

Patrick Quigley, CEO of Sidecar Health, is not your typical healthcare executive. With a background in mechanical and materials engineering, his journey into healthcare was driven by deeply personal experiences navigating the traditional insurance system for his family. His problem-solving mindset and entrepreneurial spirit led him to create a consumer-focused health insurance company that puts control back in the hands of patients and doctors.

Empowering Consumers and Cutting Through Denials

Sidecar Health distinguishes itself with a mission to eliminate care barriers. Traditional insurers often deny claims at alarming rates—19% on average, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. In stark contrast, Sidecar Health's denial rate is under 1%. Quigley attributes this to their commitment to transparency and removing red tape like prior authorizations, step therapy, and provider networks.

How It Works: Transparency + Choice = Empowerment

Sidecar Health sets its benefit levels based on average regional prices for procedures and services, then shares this data with users via an app. Members receive a Sidecar-funded Visa card to pay for care directly—introducing transparency and choice into a space where they’re often lacking.

Incentives further encourage smart decision-making: if a member finds a service for less than the covered amount, they keep half the difference. This simple but powerful mechanism allows users to save and earn money while making informed choices, leading to an average of $1,000 returned annually per member.

Adapting Through Feedback

Early feedback revealed that while consumers appreciated transparency, some were uneasy about asking doctors for pricing. Sidecar Health responded with a curated list of “pre-check” providers whose prices consistently fall below benefit limits—giving members a confidence-boosting starting point.

Scaling Up with Jumbo Employers

After launching in Ohio and Georgia, Sidecar Health entered Florida in 2025. A pivotal moment came when Koch Industries not only led their Series D round but also adopted the plan for their employees. This endorsement opened doors to the “jumbo” employer space—companies with tens of thousands of employees. Serving these clients marks the next chapter in Sidecar Health’s mission to revolutionize healthcare at scale.