Solving Prior Authorization from Both Sides with Jeremy Friese

GUEST BIO

Jeremy Friese, CEO, Humata Health
Dr. Jeremy Friese is a transformative force at the intersection of healthcare delivery, AI innovation, and payer strategy. As the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Humata Health, he leads the development of advanced AI solutions that streamline prior authorization—addressing one of healthcare's most challenging friction points for providers, payers, and patients alike. Backed by strategic partners The BCBS Venture Fund, Optum/UHG, LRVHealth, Highmark Health, and .406 Ventures, along with partnerships with Microsoft and Google, Humata is automating prior authorization at health systems and payers across the country so tens of millions of patients can get the care they deserve.

Prior to Humata Health, Jeremy pioneered AI-driven solutions for health systems and health plans. His latest venture was acquired by Availity and serves as the backbone for their prior authorization automation platform. His deep understanding of both provider and payer challenges has enabled him to develop technologies that reduce provider burden while enhancing payer efficiency—creating alignment across traditionally divided stakeholders.

During nearly two decades at Mayo Clinic as both a practicing Interventional Radiologist and Executive Finance and Global Business Development leader, Dr. Friese drove strategic partnerships that expanded Mayo's innovative care models to serve over 20 million patients worldwide. His experience bridging clinical excellence with operational efficiency informs his approach to healthcare transformation.

As an Operating Partner at Welsh, Carson, Anderson and Stowe, Dr. Friese founded a palliative care platform through strategic acquisitions that addressed critical gaps in the care continuum.

Jeremy currently serves as a strategic advisor for Mayo Clinic and Availity, as well as an independent director or advisor to several innovative AI companies spanning healthcare services, diagnostics, technology, consumer, and esports industries. He is also Founding Partner at The Donna Fund, where he invests in force-of-nature female founders.

A graduate of Harvard Business School and Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Dr. Friese brings clinical credibility, strategic vision, and entrepreneurial experience to discussions about healthcare's future. His personal connection to healthcare transformation—inspired by his mother's battle with breast cancer—drives his commitment to creating more efficient, effective, and patient-centered systems.

MODERATOR BIO

Payal Agrawal Divakaran, Partner, .406 Ventures
Payal is a Partner at .406 Ventures, where she co-leads the healthcare investing practice. .406 Ventures is a Boston-based venture capital firm with over $1.4B under management. Since its founding in 2005, .406 Ventures has never wavered from its strategy of investing in early-stage enterprise-focused startups in healthcare, data + AI, and cybersecurity.  Every member of the firm has deep operating or investing experience in these segments.

.406’s world-class founders and digital health companies are transforming healthcare technology and care delivery.  Payal leads .406’s investments in AristaMD, Diana Health, Equip, FamilyWell, Heartbeat Health, Humata Health, Nema Health, Nomad Health, OncoveryCare, and Wellist. She also supports Better Life Partners, Laudio, Redox, Wayspring, and WelbeHealth.

Before joining .406 in 2015, Payal co-founded a company called SpotRocket while at Harvard Business School (HBS).  Prior to that, she worked at Eventbrite, Spectrum Equity, and J.P. Morgan. Payal received her MBA, with Distinction, from HBS and her BS in Electrical Engineering and minor in Management from MIT. She is a Boston native and Boston sports fan. She and her husband and two kids live in Brookline.