| Contributor
For decades, America’s healthcare system has been caught in a tug-of-war between cost containment and patient care. Too often, profit has come out on top. Jarred Pierce, CEO of Unity Preferred Network, believes it doesn’t have to be that way. His mission: build a healthcare network where providers are treated fairly, patients are far less likely to be blindsided by surprise bills, and transparency isn’t just a buzzword. “I saw misaligned incentives take over the industry,” Pierce recalls. “Decision-making increasingly came from outside clinical care, and incentives tilted toward finance over medicine. That’s not good for anyone—least of all the patient.”
Unity Preferred Network was born out of that frustration. Rather than dictating rates to providers, Unity negotiates reimbursements tied to Medicare benchmarks. This model helps avoid the inflated charge masters that have long plagued the system. Pierce points to one example: in a documented case, a surgery center submitted high charges that were brought into alignment with Medicare-indexed benchmarks through Unity’s agreements. “Providers need to stay profitable to keep their doors open,” he says. “But patients shouldn’t fear bankruptcy when they walk into a hospital. We’ve created a model that protects both sides.”
Straddling the line between providers and health plans requires finesse. Unity is paid by employer groups and carriers, but Pierce is adamant: without happy, independent providers, no network can thrive. Because Unity is privately owned, it isn’t under pressure to deliver quick returns to investors. That independence, Pierce says, keeps short-term pressures out of the equation. “We’re able to bill fairly, make significant investments back into the company, and still negotiate in good faith. It’s about keeping everyone at the table satisfied—not just the people writing the checks.”
Behind the scenes, technology is Unity’s quiet powerhouse. The network’s claims are typically repriced in minutes for clean submissions using advanced tools built by a principal architect with nearly 30 years in the healthcare industry. Artificial intelligence already streamlines reviews, with further tooling planned to flag likely coding errors, improve provider communications, and predict problem hot spots. Pierce is deeply committed to expanding behavioral health support, which he calls one of the industry’s most neglected areas. Through a partnership with Trusted Provider Network and Trevor Colhoun, Unity offers care navigation support to eligible members and plan clients—helping people find care and track progress over time. Better access to mental health care is often associated with improved outcomes such as fewer high-cost episodes, fewer ER visits, and steadier attendance—factors that some employer studies suggest may contribute to modest reductions in overall medical spending over time. “It’s not just about claims and costs,” Pierce says. “It’s about outcomes.”
For providers, one of the greatest frustrations is delayed or denied payments. Unity strives for timely payment processing, typically aiming to complete clean claims within about a month, with accountability built into its agreements. “If a provider has done their part, we make sure they’re not waiting for money they’re owed,” Pierce emphasizes. Unity’s growth has been steady and deliberate. Instead of rollups, Pierce’s team scales with a repeatable, specialty-by-specialty playbook—standardized contracts, automated onboarding, and shared data pipes. It’s still built relationship by relationship, but on rails, so the network continues to expand efficiently while maintaining accessible fee structures that are often competitive with standard market rates. “That’s not because we’re undercutting,” Pierce says. “It’s because we’re privately owned and some of our competitors have been known to notoriously overcharge their clients while underperforming and providing discounts that can’t be defended because there is no Provider sign off. This is why providers and clients trust us and stick with us.”
Looking forward, Pierce sees Unity expanding its clientele as a primary network, not always acting as a secondary option. Partnerships in behavioral health will deepen, and new technology will continue to sharpen efficiency and transparency. “We’re not interested in quick wins,” he says. “We’re building something sustainable. A network that works for providers, protects patients, and gives employers confidence that they’re not overspending.” In an industry often challenged by red tape and mistrust, Unity Preferred Network aims to offer a clearer, more balanced approach: clarity, fairness, and a future where financial fear isn’t part of the patient experience. For Pierce, that’s not just good business—it’s the only way forward.
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LinkedIn: Unity Preferred NetworkThis article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider.
