zakipoint Health names Fred Karutz interim EVP for marketing and business development

zakipoint Health has appointed Frederick “Fred” Karutz as interim executive vice president of marketing and business development to expand work with health plans and brokers. The move aims to accelerate strategic partnerships and member-experience improvements as the company pushes its AI-enabled analytics and service platform.

Why it matters: - zakipoint Health is trying to convert its analytics and AI-enabled service tools into more health plan and broker deals. - The expanded role is meant to sharpen market strategy and create more connected member experiences across fragmented benefits, data and services. - The appointment signals a heavier push into community-based, provider-owned and specialty health plans.

What happened: - zakipoint Health named Frederick “Fred” Karutz interim executive vice president of marketing and business development. - The company announced the appointment on Oct. 13, 2026. - Karutz will lead marketing and business development efforts focused on health plans and brokers. - The role covers community-based, provider-owned and other specialty plans, plus brokers seeking differentiated solutions.

The details: - Karutz had already been advising zakipoint Health before the promotion. - His advisory work supported market conversations, clarified buyer priorities and identified ways to connect the company’s AI-enabled capabilities with care management, navigation and service programs. - zakipoint Health said the expanded role will bring greater focus to translating that work into market strategy, strategic partnerships and business growth. - Karutz has more than two decades of marketing, business development and executive leadership experience. - He previously served as president of Carelon Advocacy at Elevance Health. - He also led a consumer-focused division at Health Care Service Corporation. - His background includes work with GoHealth, HolaDoctor, hCentive, Connected Health and Silverlink Communications. - Those roles included partnerships involving Intuit, Aon, Paychex, Oscar Health, and a wide range of brokers and agents. - zakipoint Health offers modular solutions in population analytics, digital engagement and service support. - The company said those tools help organizations identify cost and risk drivers, launch targeted campaigns, guide members to care and programs, and track engagement and downstream results. - The company also described a digital front door that connects members with benefits, claims, provider search, cost estimates and personalized guidance. - Connected staff tools and AI voice and chat assistance support member and provider inquiries.

Between the lines: - The appointment suggests zakipoint Health is moving from product capability toward tighter commercial execution. - Karutz’s background in member experience and partner ecosystems fits a market where health plans want to connect existing tools instead of adding more point solutions. - The company is positioning AI as an operating layer for outreach, navigation and service, not just a standalone feature. - Jaclyn Mains, chief revenue officer, said Karutz has already helped sharpen the company’s approach and could help accelerate partnerships, market presence and client value. - Karutz said health plans and brokers want better ways to connect capabilities they already have and make the member’s next step easier.

What’s next: - Karutz will focus on building strategic partnerships and expanding zakipoint Health’s presence with health plans and brokers. - The company will continue pushing its AI-enabled analytics, targeted outreach, digital navigation and service support as part of a connected platform. - zakipoint Health says its platform is built to improve the member journey and help organizations realize more value from their healthcare programs and investments.

The bottom line: - zakipoint Health is betting that an experienced operator can turn its technology stack into faster growth and stronger market adoption.