Health insurance is often seen as a safeguard, providing peace of mind in a world where the unexpected can strike at any moment. Philosophically, it represents a social contract—an agreement that, in times of need, we won’t face life’s greatest challenges alone. Yet, this safety net has become more complex and costly, leaving many to question its true value. As rising premiums and out-of-pocket expenses weigh heavily on individuals and businesses, the system designed to protect can sometimes feel like a burden. It is in this tangled web of costs and care that visionary leaders like David Contorno are stepping forward, offering fresh perspectives and bold solutions.

David Contorno, the Founder & President of E Powered Benefits, is a passionate leader in the healthcare industry, on a mission to transform how businesses approach health insurance. With over three decades of experience, he has developed an innovative model that aims to deliver significant cost savings to employers while eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for employees. Through his consulting firm, he’s creating a ripple effect in the industry, offering fresh perspectives on how to manage health plans and improve clinical outcomes.

A Career Shaped by Sales

David’s journey into the insurance world began at the young age of 12 when he took his first job in telemarketing life insurance. Reflecting on those early days, he said, “I was telemarketing life insurance to people at home to agree to a face-to-face meeting with the agent I was working for. I was quite successful at it.” His natural salesmanship shone through early on, setting the stage for a career defined by perseverance and success.

Following this experience, David spent a few years working at a chain of camera stores. Despite being younger and less experienced than some of his colleagues, he often outsold them. However, his true entry into the world of health insurance came when he joined his roommate on a visit to his father’s office. He and his dad sold group health insurance plans to small and medium-sized businesses. That was his first entrée into the area of insurance he is still in today. Almost 30 years later, he remains committed to revolutionizing this industry.

The Role of E Powered Benefits

E Powered Benefits is a consulting firm that offers a completely different approach to health insurance. The company helps employers and brokers build health plans that not only reduce costs but also enhance the overall healthcare experience for employees. E Powered Benefits focuses on creating health plans that cost employers 40-60% less than traditional plans and eliminate out-of-pocket costs for employees for most services. “We offer/teach how to build a completely different type of health plan…one that costs employers 40-60% less, offers NO OUT OF POCKET to members, and incentives better clinical outcomes and quality of life,” David explained.

The company also plays a key role in education, offering a course validated by The Validation Institute and hosting an annual conference that attracts hundreds of industry professionals, including brokers, plan partners, and doctors. The goal is to collaborate with others in the industry to drive systemic change. As David put it, “A rising tide raises all ships.”

Innovating Within the Healthcare System

As a President of E Powered Benefits, David is always looking for new ways to challenge the status quo. One of his core beliefs is that the U.S. healthcare system is not broken but is working exactly as designed—for a select group of stakeholders, namely shareholders and executives. “It is working exceptionally well for those that designed it. It just wasn’t designed and isn’t working well for providers, employers, or patients,” he remarked.

This realization inspired David to take a radically different approach to health plans. Rather than simply selling insurance, his company builds plans that are transparent, affordable, and focused on improving patient outcomes. He and his wife, Emma Fox, who is also his business partner, have developed educational programs and conferences to share these innovations with others in the industry. They host the You Powered Symposium, a three-day event that brings together hundreds of professionals to share knowledge and discuss the future of healthcare. “I also created a mentorship program where I work with other advisors and their clients to teach the advisor how to build and manage these types of health plans,” David added.

Responsibilities as Founder & President

As the Founder and President of E Powered Benefits, his responsibilities are wide-ranging. He frequently engages in speaking, selling, and teaching. Public speaking has become a significant part of his role, as he is often invited to contribute to publications or speak at industry events. Yet, the most fulfilling part of his work is helping business owners understand the potential of his innovative approach. “The best part of my daily routine is when I am talking to a business owner, and the lightbulb goes off,” David said.

He has a talent for simplifying complex healthcare concepts and helping others see just how backward the current healthcare system is. “A lot of people call our healthcare system broken. It’s not broken. It’s working exactly as it was designed to work, just not for Employers, Doctors and Patients. But it’s working really well for a lot of hospitals and carrier execs,” he pointed out.

Overcoming Challenges in the Industry

Despite his many successes, David has faced his share of challenges. One of the most significant hurdles has been overcoming the disbelief of employers who have been let down by traditional brokers and carriers. “The biggest challenge is overcoming several decades of people before me, promising way less savings than I can deliver and often failing to deliver long-term results,” he said.

Another challenge is helping employers understand that healthcare and health insurance are not the same. He simplifies the concept by explaining that the main difference in his approach is who cuts the check and how the amount is determined. Even though this seems straightforward, many employers still harbor fears about changing their health insurance plans.

Practical Advice for Reducing Healthcare Costs

When asked how individuals can protect themselves from rising healthcare costs, David offered some little-known, yet powerful, advice. “Most hospitals are non-profit, and they must follow IRS Code 501r, which requires them to have a financial assistance program,” he shared. Surprisingly, 70-80% of Americans qualify for this assistance, which could reduce or even eliminate their hospital bills. However, hospitals often make this information hard to find and may try to steer patients toward less beneficial options, such as payment plans. Knowing where to look and how to ask can result in significant savings.

A Vision for the Future

Looking forward, David’s vision is to expand E Powered Benefits domestically, rather than globally, and create a movement that challenges the current healthcare system. “My goal is for there to be an army of consultants, employers, and employees standing up to the damaging and expensive healthcare system,” he stated. His focus is on incentivizing providers who deliver better clinical outcomes with complete price transparency.

David is passionate about encouraging people to think critically about healthcare decisions. “Where else do we not know the price of something before we consume it? Most people spend more time researching a vacuum cleaner than the doctor who will perform their surgery,” he remarked, pointing out the absurdity of the current system.

Growing as a Leader and Mentor

Teaching and mentoring have played a significant role in his growth as a leader. “I do a lot of teaching and mentoring. I usually get back a multiple of what I give away,” he explained. His commitment to educating others is also a way for him to strengthen his own understanding and leadership skills. Moreover, David practices what he preaches, applying the same principles he teaches to his own healthcare decisions for himself and his family.

Taking Risks to Deliver Value

His willingness to take risks has been key to his success. One of the boldest moves he made was deciding to stop selling traditional health insurance plans altogether. Instead, he tied his compensation to actually lowering healthcare costs for employers. “By doing so, we increase positive clinical outcomes while saving the employer tremendous amounts of money and waiving all members out-of-pocket so they can get the care they need,” he explained.

A Culture of Integrity and Employee Protection

The work culture at E Powered Benefits is built on the principle of protecting employees from the financial strain that often accompanies healthcare costs. David emphasized that the average out-of-pocket expense in the U.S. is over $5,000, which is ten times the average savings account. “If your health plan is not protecting your employees from bankruptcy, what good is it?” he asked, challenging the conventional approach to health insurance. E Powered Benefits insists that employers return some of the savings generated by their plans to employees, whether through richer benefits, lower paycheck contributions, or additional coverage.

Advice for Entrepreneurs

As a final word of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, David emphasized the importance of building a team of experts who won’t allow bad results year after year. “They should apply the same intelligence, efficacy, and demand for information from their health plan as they used in their core business to be successful,” he advised. Understanding the intricacies of healthcare is key to long-term success, and he believes that every business owner should be as savvy about their health plan as they are about their core products and services.