In the mid-1990s, Gary Lauer and Vipool
Patel met while working at Silicon
Graphics. The two realized that with the
boom of the Internet, the health insurance
industry could really use the benefits of
Internet technology because of the
amounts of information involved, the old
distribution system in place and the need
for product for consumers.
On that premise, eHealth Inc. was
founded in 1997, and Lauer joined it in
1999 as president and CEO. His first
challenge was to market a new distribution channel in a conservative industry
that was resistant to change. Lauer and
his team had to win over not just consumers but also insurance carriers, and
they were successful in doing this. The
company quickly built a strong reputation and became a catalyst for change
in the health insurance industry. Today,
eHealth has more than 500,000 revenue-generating members and has partnered
with more than 175 insurance providers.
Lauer was also named chairman in
2002 in addition to his president and
CEO responsibilities. As a leader, he
has worked to not only grow eHealth
but to also encourage and develop his
employees. The company offers 90 percent premium coverage for health
insurance and also offers employees
free access to on-site and local gyms.
He also encourages employees to come
forward with organizations they care
about, and the company has supported
causes such as The Giving Tree, Toys
for Tots and Walk for the Cure.
HOW TO REACH: eHealth Inc., (800) 977-8860 or
www.ehealth.com