Sesame

Cries for greater #pricetransparency in healthcare are growing louder. On Monday, economists pushed for legislation that would give consumers price-comparison tools to shop for better prices at hospitals. The legislation, they argue, will educate consumers on hospital pricing and reduce costs at last. But in his latest op-ed, Sesame co-founder David Goldhill argues that price transparency is not the panacea it’s proclaimed to be. Health insurers - not consumers - are the dominant buyers of health care, he points out. Therefore, the real incentive for lowering prices will stem from competition among insurers. “The healthcare sector doesn’t lack price competition because of a lack of transparent prices. Healthcare lacks transparent prices because there is no price competition,” says Goldhill. “Legislators are confusing the symptom for the disease.” Read on for a radically different - and simple - proposal for reducing prices and putting purchasing power back in the hands of consumers. https://lnkd.in/e4jaUhi9

?????? ANNOUNCEMENT TIME ?????? Beyond excited to announce the launch of Success by Sesame - our one-of-a-kind weight loss program that we are offering starting today! ???????????? For only $249/month, customers receive: ? 4 pre-measured, easy-to-use doses of injectable compounded semaglutide (with free discreet home delivery) ? Unlimited provider messaging ? Follow-up consultations each month, as needed ? Lab order & lab costs included Importantly - we are offering this to our customers with no price markup on the medication, and no insurance required. Our mission at Sesame has always been to make high-quality, affordable healthcare accessible, regardless of insurance status - I couldn't be prouder of the team for furthering this vision once again. Go and check it out - onward ??????

Sesame is bringing its half-priced, whole quality promise to weight loss. Today, Sesame announced the launch of Success by Sesame: a clinically comprehensive weight loss program priced at a fraction of other competitive offerings. With affordable pricing and top-rated clinical oversight, Success by Sesame puts medically-backed weight loss therapies within reach for millions of Americans who are priced out of the traditional system. At just $249 per month, Success by Sesame includes a video assessment with a Sesame provider of the patient’s choice, labs, unlimited messaging and ongoing clinical oversight. The program also includes high-quality, pre-measured compounded semaglutide (with no retail price markup) for eligible patients, which was added to Sesame’s weight loss offering to help consumers safely access effective obesity treatment during the current shortage of brand-name GLP-1s. The program will offer the following to consumers: ? The ability to choose your own Sesame provider ? Four pre-measured, easy-to-use doses of injectable compounded semaglutide for those who qualify ? No retail price markup on medication (ever), plus free discreet home delivery ? Unlimited provider messaging ? Lab order & lab cost included? ? Follow-up consultations each month as needed ? No insurance required Sesame’s mission has been the same since day one: make high-quality, affordable health care accessible, regardless of insurance status. This extends to the 73% of U.S. citizens who are overweight or obese. It extends to those who have been unable to access effective weight loss medications due to shortages or price. And it extends to those who are looking to enjoy additional benefits of weight loss, like improved sleep quality, better joint mobility, reduced risk of chronic conditions and more. That’s why we created a program that doesn’t require anyone to sacrifice high-quality, effective care for cost. Whole care, half price - just like our mission. https://lnkd.in/eKrfXBtW

In 2023, an estimated 7.2% Americans were uninsured - a historic low since the introduction of the Affordable Care Act. But that figure doesn't tell the whole story. As pandemic-era insurance protections are rolled back, more and more Americans will lose health insurance coverage. The uninsured rate rose to 7.7% in 2024, and the Congressional Budget Office warned this week that by 2034, an estimated 8.9% of Americans will be without coverage. Even many of those with insurance are struggling to afford their deductibles. Health insurance has become a barrier to care for millions of people. The trend here is clear: without competition, the traditional U.S. healthcare system is unsustainable - whether it’s now or 10 years into the future. With competition, everything changes - and Sesame is proof of that. With insurance and third parties cut out of the equation, providers are free to set their own schedules and competitive prices. Patients are free to choose their own providers and book appointments at an upfront price without hidden fees. And people can get the care they need, when they need it. The trend here is clear, too: real, competitive health care marketplaces ARE sustainable - whether it's now or 10 years into the future. ?? #affordablecare #healthcareinnovation

It’s never been a better time to choose cash-pay health care and cut insurance out of the equation. Why? Because according to the US Health Care Price Index, the cash price of everyday medical services has either remained flat or decreased since March 2024. Here’s what prices looked like in April: ?? Virtual dermatology consults: $48.29 ( ? 3.4% MoM) ???? Virtual mental health consults: $50.30 (? 1.3% MoM) ?? Virtual COVID-19 consults: $44.74 (? 1.7% MoM) These affordable cash prices stand in stark contrast to insurance-negotiated prices within the traditional US healthcare system: rising costs and challenges with insurance reimbursements are so out of hand for patients and providers that even Walmart was forced to shutter their telehealth and in-person health centers last month due to a lack of profitability. What else did the data reveal about cash-pay health care prices? Check the newest USHPI market trends for more details?? https://lnkd.in/eZuzsyX9

America's most affordable weight loss program is now even more affordable for Costco members. Today, Sesame announced an expansion of our partnership with Costco Wholesale that allows Costco Members to access Sesame's weight loss program for as little as $179 every 3 months ($60 per month). The service will provide Costco members with access to: - Three (3) months of clinical consultation - The ability to select a clinician of their choice - An initial live video consultation with their clinician - The ability to message with their clinician outside of scheduled appointments - A nutritional guide with dietary and exercise recommendations? - An individualized, clinically-appropriate treatment program Price is one of the biggest barriers to weight loss care in America. It’s estimated that at least 42% of the U.S. population is obese –? yet weight loss treatments (clinical nutrition and fitness recommendations, lifestyle guidance, medication, and more) are exorbitantly priced and out of reach for millions. That’s why we built a system where patients can receive clinical weight loss guidance with upfront prices, no long waits, and no complicated paperwork. Necessity is the mother of invention - and nothing demands innovation like a system where patients are in desperate need of care but cannot afford it. This partnership expands access to medically-supervised weight loss care in a way that has never been done: simply, conveniently, and affordably. ?? https://lnkd.in/gWNdZKEr

It's with immense pride that we announce Sesame’s selection to the 2024 Impact 100 List of America’s Most Impactful Companies to Work For. Of the 5,000+ companies and 20,000+ employees surveyed by Hyer, Sesame stood apart as an organization where all employees, from top to bottom, genuinely feel like their contributions are making a difference to a cause they care about. At Sesame, we've always been driven by a singular vision: a future where healthcare is as price-competitive, transparent, innovative and responsive as the best of consumer industries. Our team works tirelessly every day to drive that vision forward, innovating with compassion and empathy. But what makes this award so special is that it reflects the internal values and the culture within Sesame. It's a nod to our efforts in building a workplace where everyone feels valued, heard, and motivated to contribute to our collective mission. To our team - this award is a reflection of your hard work and the meaningful impact you make every day. Thank you. And if you’re passionate about making high-quality, affordable health care a reality for all - open Sesame. #Impact100 #WorkplaceCulture #HealthcareInnovation #BestPlacestoWork https://lnkd.in/gMaw6kKg

Five years ago today, we at Sesame set out to build something that had never been built before:? a real, competitive, shoppable marketplace - for health care. We (along with millions of Americans) recognized that the exorbitant third-party fees, opaque billing practices and utter lack of transparency within the U.S. healthcare system didn’t have much in common with our favorite shopping experiences, such as: ? A huge selection of quality products and services to choose from? ? Clear, easy-to-compare prices ? Transparent reviews from consumers? ? A breezy, simple checkout process ? Same-day or next-day arrival for your purchase So we set out to rebuild the system from scratch. Today, the Sesame marketplace is a thriving platform that features thousands of top-rated doctors and specialists, 120+ types of care across 45+ specialties in all 50 states, same-day appointments and more – all at competitive, upfront, direct-pay prices. No long waits. No surprise bills. No insurance needed. It’s simple, high-quality and affordable (the way healthcare should be). Want to celebrate with us? Open Sesame and see what we’ve built for yourself. You’ll pay half to be whole. ?? https://lnkd.in/ej7ARGJS

If you're going to read anything this week, let it be Sesame founder and CEO David Goldhill's response to a recently published article from The New York Times entitled, "Six Reasons Drug Prices Are So High in the US". "The authors point to a series of causes: a lack of central negotiators, a lack of price controls, the presence of perverse incentives, patent gaming, and a fragmented and complicated system. All of these points are correct – and ultimately irrelevant." Read on for an actionable solution to rising healthcare costs in America: https://lnkd.in/ebZTrUzd #healthcareinnovation #drugpricing #healthcare

We’re thrilled to announce that Upwork CMO Melissa Waters has joined Sesame’s Board of Directors. To Sesame, Melissa brings more than 15 years of experience in marketing disruptive digital, consumer and marketplace brands.?As exemplified by past executive marketing positions at Instagram, hims & hers, Lyft and Pandora, Melissa’s business acumen and creativity set her apart as a savvy marketing leader and advisor. At Sesame, we envision a future where healthcare is as price-competitive, transparent, innovative and responsive as the best of consumer industries. We believe that Melissa’s expertise and perspective will be instrumental in advancing this vision. https://lnkd.in/eew2ZfTc