CWRU undergraduates to present their health insurance decision tool at CES 2026
Somewhere between deciphering a plan's “out-of-pocket maximum” and Googling whether your doctor is “in-network,” buying health insurance on healthcare.gov feels less like shopping and more like solving a puzzle designed by someone who doesn't want you to win.
Two Case Western Reserve University undergraduates think they've found a better way.
This week, computer science major Sunveer Chugh and Dev Gupta, who’s studying quantitative economics and healthcare management, are taking their startup, InsuraBridge, to one of the world's largest technology stages—CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas.
Guided by Ray Herschman, an adjunct professor at Weatherhead School of Management, and Mark Votruba, associate professor at Weatherhead School, the students built a digital tool that helps consumers make more confident, personalized insurance decisions.
The problem, they say, is clear: “Millions of people buy insurance through healthcare exchanges, but there can be hundreds of plan options,” said Gupta. “Even for tech-savvy consumers, it’s nearly impossible to know which one is right for you.”
InsuraBridge uses advanced analytics to assess users’ preferences—such as cost sensitivity, preferred doctors, and expected care needs—and matches them with tailored plan recommendations. The technology builds on a patented algorithm and leverages an application programming interface (API) connected to healthcare exchanges.
“Think of it as a digital co-pilot for choosing insurance,” said Chugh. “We want to give people clarity and confidence in a process that’s usually overwhelming.”
Herschman said InsuraBridge reflects the university’s culture of innovation and social impact.
“These students saw a problem that affects millions and used technology to fix it,” Herschman said. “The InsuraBridge application connects to Healthcare.gov website’s API to access key data that powers the healthcare exchange’s health plan options and associated benefit and provider network attributes, in a manner that empowers consumers to make informed decisions.”
The pair will showcase their prototype in January at CES 2026’s University Innovations section, joining hundreds of emerging founders from around the world. For Chugh and Gupta, the event marks both a milestone and a beginning.
“Our goal is to make health insurance transparent, thus ensuring access, establishing care and expanding medicine,” Gupta said. “If we can help people make better choices for their health and finances, that’s a win,” Chugh added.
Next up, the company is preparing a major push around its new Medicaid application tool, which they say will streamline workflows by consolidating patient information and autocompleting applications in minutes—dramatically reducing the hours the process typically takes.
