The API Model that Delivers: Why We Built for Partner Performance

As longtime CDH experts, we spend every week building stronger systems for our partners. We see firsthand that benefits administrators all want the same thing: clean operations, fewer manual steps, and systems that stay in sync without constant oversight.

When partners are not able to move as fast as they need to, we look for what we can build to help them move faster. When a new release does that, we see the impact immediately.

At Elevate, our API model is built to solve the problems we keep hearing about in our industry. We know that our partners don’t want another portal that requires precious training hours. They don’t want file schedules or timing windows. And they definitely don’t want another place where client data can drift out of sync.

What do they want? It is simple. Direct system to system connections that work every time. They want control of their data and the ability to move faster without adding people.

So we built the solution we knew would work: a full API set designed for our partners' needs.

Why We Offer Our Partners Full Ownership of the Experience

While many of our partners rely on our intuitive user experience, others prefer that their clients and members stay inside their own platform. Neither choice is right or wrong, and we build for both.

Those choosing an embedded experience within their own solution don’t want separate screens or redirects, or for members be forced to jump between systems. They want the entire experience to feel like one product.

Our complete API set lets partners place every account detail and action directly inside their own frontend. They control the full customer experience, from navigation and flows to branding and language. Real-time balances, card controls, claims, dependents, alerts, and contribution views all live natively within their application and work the way their customers expect. It’s just what the modern market demands.

‍Faster Operations Start with the Ability to Scale

Beyond the user experience, we built the underlying platform so every data interaction runs through APIs, with no files, batch jobs, or manual corrections. When systems rely on files and timed updates, mismatches are almost inevitable, and someone ends up doing the cleanup work.

Our mission is simple: remove the human steps, the delays, and the uncertainty.

Our partners automate employer setup, plan configuration, enrollment, eligibility, card ordering, claims intake, funding updates, and reporting. That’s right. Everything stays aligned because it all flows the same way, with no manual intervention. Onboarding is automated, which helps our partners add hundreds of employers per day during peak season. Data stays consistent, giving teams hours back every week.

This is how our partners can grow at rates of up to 50% without adding headcount. Data moves directly from their systems into ours, with no manual loading required.

Mix and Match: APIs Where They Matter Most

Not every partner wants to build everything. And they shouldn’t have to.

We built Elevate’s API model so our partners can choose how deep they want to go, based on their roadmap, resources, and priorities. Some partners use our full API set end-to-end. Others mix APIs with select Elevate experiences. Both approaches work.

For example:

• A partner may use APIs to power enrollment, eligibility, funding, and reporting, but rely on SSO for investments and the HSA experience
• Balances and account data can still display in the partner’s system, even when deeper functionality lives elsewhere
• Some partners run renewals entirely through APIs, while others use Elevate’s renewal tools for certain employer groups
• Card management, claims, and contributions can be fully embedded, partially integrated, or handled through a blended approach

The point is choice. Our partners are not locked into a single model. They can start small, go deep where it adds the most value, and expand over time. The API foundation supports all of it.

Building for Partner Growth

We believe the strongest platforms start with a complete and flexible API foundation that supports a wide range of partner needs. Some partners integrate deeply across every workflow. Others mix APIs with select Elevate experiences. Both approaches should work without tradeoffs.

From there, data should stay consistent across systems without files or timing windows. Technology should reduce manual work, not add to it. Partners should be able to grow and adapt over time without reworking their foundation or adding headcount.

That’s why every part of Elevate is accessible through APIs.

Looking for more? Check out another API blog post: The Top Three Ways APIs are Radically Changing the Consumer Account Industry.

Let’s talk about how Elevate’s APIs can improve the way you work.

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About the Authors

Nicole Caralle
Nicole Caralle is Director of Program Operations at Elevate. She leads the integration of operations, product, and technology across the platform. With a background in IT operations, business analysis, and data management, Nicole focuses on turning complex processes into practical automation. Her work ensures partners have direct access to experts, faster issue resolution, and tools built for real operational use.

Pete Mazur
Pete Mazur has more than 20 years of experience leading technology in the benefits industry. He specializes in designing and building scalable systems that support high volume growth, reliable integrations, and long-term platform flexibility.

For more expert perspective and insights, follow Elevate on LinkedIn.

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