Sidecar Health Partners with Carrum Health to Expand Specialty Care Access

Health insurance startup Sidecar Health has entered into a partnership with Carrum Health to integrate Carrum’s specialty care network into its platform. The collaboration marks Sidecar’s first tie-up with a Centers of Excellence (COE) network.

Carrum Health, founded a decade ago, focuses on developing value-based COEs for employers to reshape how specialty care is paid for and delivered. Both companies were named Fierce 15 honorees in 2025.

Through this partnership, Sidecar Health members will gain access to more than 1,200 vetted COE providers covering surgical, cancer, and substance use treatment. According to the companies, these services are accessible to 90% of Americans within 50 miles of a Carrum provider.

Carrum offers bundled pricing for specialty care services, paired with dedicated care navigation. The program also includes a 30-day warranty on surgery and two years of coverage on cancer care. The company reports that its approach has been independently validated to reduce unnecessary procedures by up to 30%, cut readmissions by 80%, and save employers as much as 45% per surgical episode.

Sidecar Health CEO Patrick Quigley emphasized that the agreement expands member access to high-quality providers while delivering financial predictability. “This partnership offers Sidecar Health members another tool to help find high-quality providers for complex procedures,” he told Fierce Healthcare. Quigley added that employers benefit from reduced costs, while members can approach complex care with the same transparency and confidence as routine services, knowing what their plan pays upfront and avoiding surprise bills.

Quigley also highlighted the alignment between the two companies, noting that both share a vision centered on control, quality, and transparency in healthcare.

Carrum Health co-founder and chief growth officer Brent Nicholson said the collaboration demonstrates a shift in how care can be paid for and delivered. He explained that Carrum’s model selects only the top 10% of providers in each service line through rigorous evaluation, negotiating all-inclusive bundled prices to ensure predictability for members and employers. Nicholson stated that the partnership signals a move away from cost-shifting, aiming instead for higher quality, lower costs, and improved patient experiences.

For Carrum, the deal broadens its reach beyond large self-funded employers to Sidecar Health’s member base.

Sidecar’s model differs from traditional insurance by eliminating prior authorizations, networks, and referrals. It is built on upfront pricing, with benefit amounts set according to local provider rates and displayed clearly to members through its app. Members are able to compare pricing, shop for care, and share in cost savings when choosing options priced below their benefit amounts. For care above those amounts, members pay the difference.

This approach, now extended to complex procedures through Carrum’s providers, offers members bundled pricing and eliminates multiple fragmented bills. Quigley noted that because Sidecar approves more than 99% of claims without requiring prior authorizations, members can move forward quickly when care is needed.

Employers continue to face rising healthcare costs, with specialty care accounting for roughly half of employer healthcare spending. Nearly half of employers are adopting COEs for cancer care in 2025, with widespread adoption expected within two years.

Quigley concluded that the partnership helps simplify the patient experience. He said that bundling care into one transparent price removes the burden of navigating fragmented billing, reduces delays, and gives members greater financial certainty as they proceed with recommended treatments.

Sidecar Health Partners with Carrum Health to Expand Specialty Care Access

Sidecar Health has announced a strategic partnership with Carrum Health aimed at expanding patient access to high-quality specialty care services across the United States. This collaboration is designed to improve affordability, transparency, and outcomes for patients by combining Sidecar Health’s innovative insurance model with Carrum Health’s value-based care platform.

Carrum Health is known for its nationwide network of top-tier providers and centers of excellence, specializing in procedures such as orthopedic surgeries, cardiac interventions, and oncology treatments. By integrating Carrum’s offerings into its plans, Sidecar Health will provide members with direct access to pre-negotiated, bundled pricing for specialty care — often resulting in significant cost savings compared to traditional insurance coverage.