Building a direct-pay healthcare marketplace with John Fontein, Co-Founder of Sesame

This week on Tech Can't Save Us, host Paul David is joined by John Fontein, co-founder of Sesame, a healthcare marketplace making quality medical care affordable and accessible for everyone.


They explore how Sesame’s direct-pay model enables patients to book medical services, ranging from primary care visits to specialist procedures, at transparent, upfront cash prices that are often 60% lower than traditional healthcare costs. John shares how the platform has already helped over a million patients save more than $50 million, and how competition on Sesame has driven prices down nationwide.


The conversation dives into Sesame’s innovative partnerships, including an exclusive Costco deal offering $29 virtual visits, as well as the company’s expansion into employer programs through Sesame @ Work. John also reflects on his unconventional journey from music production and finance to health tech founder, and the personal experiences that motivated him to tackle healthcare accessibility.

Find more about Sesame here: https://sesamecare.com/
Follow John Fontein here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfontein/