Top 25 Innovators - 2021

Whitaker co-founded Zing Health in 2019 with the mission of offering Medicare Advantage plans “that address social determinants of health to reduce healthcare disparities among historically underserved populations.” Every member’s care team includes a medical provider, nurse, behavioral health specialist, community health worker and access to a 24-hour nurse advice line, as well as telehealth. Through a robust data program, Zing directs members toward preventive services and aims to keep them out of the emergency department. More than 80% of members are Black or Hispanic and the company expects to double in size over the next year. Zing was able to connect with all of its members in 2021 to verify COVID-19 vaccination status and address social determinants that may have limited access to vaccines.