GoHealth

GoHealth, Inc.

Company type	Public
Industry	Health insurance
Founded	2001 (2001)
Founder	Clint Jones, Brandon Cruz
Headquarters	Chicago , United States
Area served	United States; Slovakia
Key people	Vijay Kotte (CEO), Brandon Cruz (Co-executive Chairman), Jason Schulz (CFO)
Products	Medicare Advantage, MediGap, Medicare Part D plans, individual health insurance, short-term health insurance
Number of employees	1500 (2020)
Website	gohealth.com

GoHealth, Inc. is a U.S.-based marketplace focused on Medicare products including Medicare Advantage, MediGap, and Medicare Part D plans provided by private insurance companies. The company also manages an online portal for individual health insurance and short-term health insurance offerings. Established in 2001 by entrepreneurs Clint Jones and Brandon Cruz, GoHealth's headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois, with additional offices situated in Charlotte, North Carolina; Lindon, Utah; and Bratislava, Slovakia.

In 2012, GoHealth obtained government authorization as an exchange through an agreement with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), allowing it to facilitate enrollments in plans that include tax subsidies similar to those available via HealthCare.gov. This collaboration placed GoHealth among a limited number of private marketplaces aiming to broaden access to affordable health coverage.

By 2013, GoHealth became the first private marketplace to enroll Americans in subsidy-eligible Affordable Care Act plans. It utilized call centers to assist consumers with eligibility confirmation and enrollment during the period when HealthCare.gov experienced technical difficulties. Initially, this service operated in 36 states through the federal insurance exchange.

After growth in ACA enrollments slowed post-2016 and political shifts occurred, GoHealth strategically redirected its focus toward Medicare products to leverage demographic trends and market demand.

The company reported revenues surpassing US$800 million in 2020 and employs roughly 1,500 people. Its leadership team includes CEO Vijay Kotte, co-executive chairman Brandon Cruz, and CFO Jason Schulz. GoHealth’s approach combines digital technology with personalized broker assistance, strengthening its position within the healthcare insurance sector.

History

Originally named Norvax, Inc., GoHealth was founded in 2001 by Clint Jones and Brandon Cruz. The company initially specialized in creating websites and lead management tools for insurance brokers. By 2008, Norvax had launched an online platform for health insurance comparison shopping and rebranded as GoHealth in 2009.

In 2012, Norwest Equity Partners invested $50 million in the company. The following year, GoHealth was designated by the federal government to enroll individuals from 36 states into subsidized health plans under the Affordable Care Act. In 2013, GoHealth expanded its Chicago footprint by acquiring 90,000 square feet of office space at the Merchandise Mart.

Subsequent strategic alliances included a 2015 partnership with ADP aimed at assisting employees lacking employer-sponsored coverage to enroll in subsidized plans. The company continued its geographic expansion with new offices opening in Charlotte, North Carolina (2016), and Lindon, Utah (2018).

In 2019, Centerbridge Partners purchased a majority ownership stake in GoHealth at a valuation of $1.5 billion, elevating the company to unicorn status. This transaction represented the largest acquisition of a Chicago-based technology firm in five years. Norwest Equity Partners maintained an ownership interest while founders Jones and Cruz retained significant equity stakes.

GoHealth filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in June 2020 targeting a multibillion-dollar valuation. On June 6, 2022, Vijay Kotte was named CEO and Jason Schulz CFO; concurrently, co-founder Clint Jones transitioned to Executive Chairman of the Board.

Acquisitions

In 2015, GoHealth broadened its international presence through the purchase of Creatix, a Bratislava-based software development company, thereby strengthening its technological expertise and market position.