For self-funded employers in Indiana, managing healthcare costs is one of the most persistent challenges in running a competitive business. Surgical spending, in particular, represents one of the largest and most unpredictable line items in any benefits plan. But a growing number of Indiana employers are finding that there is a better way—one that delivers substantial savings without sacrificing quality of care.
The Self-Funded Advantage
Self-funded employers assume the financial risk of providing healthcare benefits directly to their employees rather than purchasing a fully insured plan from a carrier. This structure gives employers greater control over plan design, claims data, and the ability to choose where their employees receive care. That flexibility is proving to be a powerful tool in the fight against rising surgical costs.
Indiana’s hospital prices rank among the highest in the nation, with commercial prices averaging nearly three times Medicare rates. For self-funded employers, every surgical claim processed through a high-cost hospital system erodes the plan’s financial health. This is why forward-thinking employers are actively steering members toward lower-cost, high-quality alternatives.
Partnering with Ambulatory Surgery Centers
Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) like WellBridge Surgical have emerged as a cornerstone strategy for self-funded employers looking to reduce surgical spends. ASCs perform the same outpatient procedures as hospitals but at a fraction of the cost; typically 30 to 60 percent less than the average Indiana hospital.
WellBridge Surgical has partnered with approximately 90 self-funded employers across Indiana, covering more than 100,000 lives. These partnerships are built on a simple but powerful premise: bundled, transparent, up-front pricing that covers the facility, surgeon, and anesthesia in a single fixed rate. No surprise bills. No mystery charges. Just clarity.
Zero-Tier Pricing: Incentivizing Smarter Choices
One of the most effective strategies self-funded employers are using is zero-tier pricing. Under this model, when an employee chooses WellBridge Surgical for an eligible procedure, their deductible is waived entirely. The employer absorbs a lower total cost, and the employee avoids out-of-pocket expenses. Everyone wins.
Consider a common procedure like a colonoscopy. At a typical Indiana hospital, the total claim can exceed $8,000. At WellBridge, that same procedure is performed for approximately $2,310; a savings of roughly 70 percent. When multiplied across dozens or hundreds of employees per year, the cumulative savings are transformative for a self-funded plan.
Real Savings, Real Results
Employers partnering with WellBridge report approximately 50 percent savings per procedure compared to traditional hospital settings. Those savings flow directly back into the health plan, enabling employers to hold premiums steady, enhance other benefit offerings, or reinvest in their workforce.
Beyond the financial impact, employees benefit from a more personalized surgical experience. WellBridge’s streamlined environment means shorter wait times, more attentive staff-to-patient ratios, and a facility designed exclusively for outpatient surgical care.
Taking the First Step
If your organization is self-funded and you are looking to gain control over surgical costs without compromising the quality of care your employees receive, it is time to explore what WellBridge Surgical can offer. Our team works directly with employers and their benefits advisors to design partnerships that align with your plan’s goals.
Healthcare can often feel intimidating and confusing concerning both pricing and treatment options. WellBridge Surgical remains committed to providing high-quality surgical services directly to patients with cost certainty, providing the peace of mind to proactively deal with preventative and corrective healthcare issues.
Visit our website at www.wellbridgesurgical.com to learn more about procedures and pricing, or call us at 317.480.4200.