Strategic Marketing Advisory

Market intelligence
that drives decisions
in complex markets

Noema Insights delivers primary research-led advisory to organizations operating in the self-insured employer market — and helps startups validate new ideas with the people who matter most.

Primary Research Only
Senior Leader Access
Trusted by

Clarity in
complex markets

Noema Insights is a boutique advisory firm specializing in the self-insured employer market. We help companies understand this complex landscape through the most reliable lens available: direct conversations with the senior leaders who shape it.

"Real market intelligence comes from the people living it — not from surveys or secondary data."

We partner with established companies seeking competitive advantage, and with startups who need to stress-test new products or features before committing resources. Whether you need a clear picture of market dynamics or a trusted partner to guide strategic decisions, Noema brings you unfiltered, first-hand insight.

What sets Noema apart
  • 100% primary research — every insight comes from real interviews with senior decision-makers
  • Deep specialization in the self-insured employer ecosystem
  • Experienced advisor with direct access to C-suite and VP-level leaders
  • Startup-ready: rapid turnaround for idea validation and market testing
  • Unbiased, confidential, and actionable findings — not generic reports

Services designed for
decisive action

We offer a focused set of high-impact services, each grounded in primary research and tailored to the realities of the self-insured employer market.

Strategic Marketing Advisory

End-to-end marketing strategy informed by real market intelligence. We help you position your offering, identify the right buyers, and craft messaging that resonates with self-insured employers and their advisors.

Go-to-Market Positioning Messaging
Market Intelligence

Deep-dive research delivered entirely through in-depth interviews with senior leaders — HR executives, benefits directors, brokers, TPAs, and consultants. No surveys. No guesswork. Just the real story.

Primary Research Senior Interviews Competitive Landscape
Partnership Strategy

Identify and prioritize the right strategic partners to accelerate growth. We map the ecosystem, evaluate fit, and help you build relationships that create long-term value in the self-insured space.

Ecosystem Mapping Alliance Building Channel Strategy
Startup Idea Validation

Built something new? Before you scale, let us test it with the market that matters. We take your concept directly to self-insured employer decision-makers and return with honest, actionable feedback.

Concept Testing Product-Market Fit Feature Validation
Selected Work

Recent engagements

A sample of the work we do — condensed and anonymized to protect client confidentiality.

Market Intelligence
Understanding Buyer Dynamics for a Benefits Navigation Platform

Conducted 20+ executive interviews with HR and benefits leaders at large self-insured employers to map decision criteria, stakeholder dynamics, and competitive perceptions for a leading digital health vendor.

Outcome: Client repositioned messaging, refocused sales efforts, and entered two new verticals within 6 months.
Startup Validation
Validating a New Pharmacy Benefit Feature with Self-Insured Employers

A Series B startup engaged Noema to test a proposed new feature before development. We interviewed 15 senior benefits decision-makers to assess appetite, willingness to pay, and potential barriers.

Outcome: Feature design pivoted significantly based on findings — saving an estimated $400K in development costs.
Partnership Strategy
Ecosystem Mapping for a Stop-Loss Carrier Entering New Channels

Developed a strategic partnership roadmap for a stop-loss carrier seeking to diversify distribution. Research included broker and TPA interviews to assess channel viability and decision influence.

Outcome: Three new distribution partnerships initiated within the first quarter post-engagement.
Insights

From the field

Perspectives on the self-insured employer market, drawn from our research and conversations with industry leaders.

01 Market Trends
February 2026

What Self-Insured Employers Actually Want from Vendors in 2026

After dozens of conversations with benefits leaders, a clear picture is emerging: the market is increasingly skeptical of vendor promises — and demanding proof over pitches.

Read More
02 Startup Strategy
January 2026

Why Most Health-Tech Startups Get the Self-Insured Market Wrong

The self-insured employer space has its own rules, gatekeepers, and buying cycles. Here's what early-stage founders consistently miss — and how to avoid those mistakes.

Read More
03 Research Method
December 2025

Why Primary Research Beats Surveys Every Time in B2B Markets

Surveys tell you what people say. Interviews tell you what they mean. In complex B2B markets, the difference can determine whether a strategy succeeds or fails entirely.

Read More

Flexible engagements

Choose the model that fits how you work — a focused project with a defined scope, or an ongoing advisory relationship that evolves with your needs.

Market Intelligence Sprint

A focused research engagement with a clear deliverable

Pricing
Flat project fee — contact us
  • Defined research question and scope
  • In-depth interviews with 10–20 senior leaders
  • Full findings report with strategic recommendations
  • Readout session with your team
  • Typical timeline: 4–8 weeks
Get in Touch

All project fees are agreed upfront. No hourly billing, no surprises.

Bi-Weekly Intelligence

Regular market insights delivered on a consistent cadence

Pricing
Monthly subscription — contact us
  • Bi-weekly insights drawn from ongoing primary research
  • Curated signals from the self-insured employer market
  • What senior leaders are thinking, saying, and prioritizing
  • Delivered as a concise briefing — actionable, not academic
  • Ideal for teams that need a continuous market pulse
Get in Touch

Subscriptions are billed monthly with a minimum 3-month commitment. Cancel anytime after that.

Start a
conversation

Whether you're exploring a research engagement or need advice on strategy, we'd love to hear about your challenge.

Focus Area
Self-Insured Employer Market
Healthcare Benefits Ecosystem
Engagements
Project-based & retainer advisory

We respond to all inquiries within one business day.