So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

Hi, thanks for interviewing me. My name is Jarred Pierce and I am the Founder and CEO of Unity Preferred Network. I was born and raised in San Diego where I still reside.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now?

San Diego has some of the best weather in the world and an incredible food scene. It is a diverse city that brings together many cultures and offers a variety of attractions for all ages.

Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started? How does it help your customers?

Unity Preferred Network is a national PPO network that serves as a primary network for health plans and large employer groups. We customize reimbursement agreements across all medical specialties and utilize advanced technology to steer members toward participating providers while educating them on new additions to our growing network.

Our primary goal is to eliminate balance billing and collections issues. We strive to create fair reimbursement agreements that reduce costs for health plans and members while ensuring providers remain profitable. By reducing administrative burdens, we allow providers to focus on delivering high-quality care instead of acting as a collection agency.

I founded Unity in 2024, I have been building PPO networks for nearly twenty-four years. I started this company because I saw how rising premiums and overpriced cost-containment services were failing both consumers and providers. I knew there was a better way to operate that benefits everyone involved.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice will help them?

If you are looking to start a business, it's essential to clearly understand your solution, how it differentiates from competitors, and how quickly you can bring positive change to your clients. It is equally important to recognize that this journey will not be easy. Your family, friends, and employees may not fully understand the commitment and sacrifice required. While this path involves stress, sleepless nights, and lost time with loved ones, it can also be the most rewarding experience of your life. To succeed, you must learn how to build a great team, delegate tasks effectively, and duplicate your efforts wherever possible. Finally, focus on generating revenue quickly and ensure you are reinvesting strategically to scale your business.

Where do you see your company in the future?

I am confident in our continued growth as we strengthen our position in key markets. More clients are embracing our model because they seek alternatives to overpriced networks and cost-containment solutions that create friction between providers and patients. At our current pace, I see us becoming one of the largest PPO networks in the country. I see us becoming the preferred choice for providers, employer groups, health plans, and stop-loss carriers. If we focus on our mission and stay true to our values, I don't see anything that will stop us from achieving these goals.

What was one feedback from a happy customer/client that you won't forget about?

At Unity, we frequently hear from providers and payers who are inspired by our unique approach to healthcare. Historically, the relationship between insurance companies and providers has been strained by competing interests and a focus on profit. We founded Unity to change that, creating a system where all parties succeed together. Our members also value our flexibility. While many insurance companies limit care by maintaining stagnant networks, Unity adds new providers daily based on direct member requests and our analytics. Our mission is to prioritize the needs of those we serve and bring true unity to the healthcare experience.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

I believe the biggest misconception in our industry is that a major insurance brand is necessary to access high-quality providers or superior healthcare. While large insurance companies continue to raise prices without expanding their networks, often deny claims, and disrupt care, we take a different approach. It is rewarding to see our logo on our members' ID cards and recognized in provider offices as an accepted network. We take this responsibility seriously, that is why we are constantly growing our network to ensure our members do not face the same obstacles they might experience with larger competitors.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business and how did you deal with it?

We have found that a primary challenge is encouraging payer partners to transition sooner or grant us full responsibility to deliver the solution they want and need. We understand that change can be difficult and that there may be initial hesitation about our ability to meet expectations. In our experience, partners quickly realize that we not only meet our commitments but often exceed them. While we appreciate the desire to move cautiously, our confidence in our results drives us to encourage a faster pace. We remain patient but are eager to demonstrate the full extent of what we can achieve together.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

I am incredibly fortunate to have many mentors and friends in this industry who have supported me for years. First and foremost, I want to recognize my business partners, Charlie Hilebrand and Morgan Smith. I could not have achieved this without them; we each bring unique skills and perspectives to our product. I also want to thank our employees, their dedication to Unity's mission is evident in the hard work and extra hours they contribute every day. I am deeply grateful to our first client, Drew Leatherberry, owner of Avergent Health, for believing in us and providing the opportunity to become a primary network so quickly. My thanks also go to my publicist, Irma Penunuri, and her fantastic team at Burgerrock Media.I appreciate all that you do for Unity and our branding. Finally, I want to thank my son Johnny, my family and friends for their unwavering support as I pursue this path.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

To view more about Unity Preferred Network you can visit our website at unitynetwork.health or view us on LinkedIn or Instagram. We encourage clients to reach out to us directly so we can explain our model. We also have many articles written in many national and local publications. Follow us at @unitypreferrednetwork