In this episode, Tanya Tohill-Farber, CEO and co-founder of Hi Neo, shares the deeply personal story that sparked her mission to revolutionize healthcare navigation. After her father’s stroke and a $30,000 surprise bill sent her twin sister into a panic, Tanya leveraged her background in medical billing to resolve the charges—an eye-opening experience that revealed just how inaccessible healthcare literacy is for the average person. This set the foundation for Hi Neo: a consumer-first platform built to decode insurance jargon, deliver personalized real-time cost estimates, and empower users to make smarter healthcare choices.
“We didn’t inherit any clunky systems—we built from scratch, starting with what users actually need,” Tanya explained.
Hi Neo isn’t just a price comparison tool—it’s a strategic, gamified healthcare coach that helps users track benefits, receive proactive alerts, and avoid unnecessary costs.
Tanya also walked through how employers can use Hi Neo to reduce cost-related care delays, promote equitable access, and improve outcomes for high-risk populations through data-backed incentives.
The platform is designed with both empathy and engagement at its core: “If employees are afraid of cost and avoid care, that hits productivity, morale, and your bottom line. Tools like this are no longer optional—they’re a strategic advantage.”
Tanya also teased upcoming features around prescription transparency and emphasized Hi Neo’s commitment to diversity and mission-driven partnerships.
Key Takeaways:
- Hi Neo was born from a personal family healthcare billing crisis and aims to make health benefits less confusing and more actionable
- The platform offers real-time, personalized cost estimates based on each user’s plan, deductibles, and out-of-pocket max—not generic price lists
- Hi Neo simplifies healthcare search using everyday language, not complex codes, and delivers proactive alerts about benefit milestones
- Employers can use Hi Neo to identify high-value care providers, tailor incentives, and reduce costly delays in care
- The platform's inclusive design and engaging interface set it apart in a crowded space of clunky, B2B-driven tools
- Upcoming enhancements include prescription price comparisons and broader partner integrations
Notable Quotes:
- “Most people pick a plan with the lowest deductible—and have no idea what it actually covers.”
- “We built it like you’re booking a flight. You don’t need to speak CPT code to find care.”
- “You can’t just hope if you build it, they’ll come. You have to meet people where they are—and that means making healthcare human.”
Stay in Touch!
- Connect with Tanya Tohill-Farber on LinkedIn
- Learn more about Springbuk Activate
- Connect with our co-hosts Brittany Hardaway and Rachael Baumgartner
