It is time to talk about Indiana’s healthcare pricing crisis. Indiana consistently ranks among the top states for high hospital pricing. A 2022 RAND study found that Hoosiers pay nearly 3× what Medicare covers—around 297%, positioning Indiana as 8th highest nationally for total commercial hospital prices reddit.com+15employersforumindiana.org+15carmelmonthlymagazine.com+15. While the state has made some progress from its 7th-place ranking, it’s still paying disproportionately more compared to neighboring states like Michigan (192%), Kentucky (231%), and Illinois (247%) employersforumindiana.org.
This translates into a $2 billion annual overpayment by Indiana workers and employers for hospital care—funds that could instead support wages, education, or community investment employersforumindiana.org. The blame rests partly on market consolidation: large systems—IU Health, Parkview, Ascension—dominate the state, leaving little competition and well above-average pricing employersforumindiana.org+8reddit.com+8reddit.com+8.
The effect is systemic – escalating insurance premiums, financial stress, and in the worst cases, missed or delayed care.
Enter WellBridge Surgical: A Transparent Alternative
What Makes WellBridge Different?
- Up‑front, all‑inclusive pricing: No mystery billing. Procedure costs – covering facility, surgeon, anesthesia – are posted online and fixed
- Drastically lower prices: Procedures cost 30–60% less than the average Indiana hospital. For instance, ear tube placement is under $3,000 vs. over $6,000 elsewhere
- Zero-tier pricing for employer plans: Self-funded employers incentivize employees to make sound decisions by waiving member deductibles entirely when choosing WellBridge Surgical
- Savings for employers: Analysis of employer claims shows about 50% savings per procedure—turning eye‑watering $8,000 colonoscopy costs into $2,310
How It Works
Located in Zionsville, WellBridge is Indiana’s only ambulatory surgery center (ASC) offering bundled, transparent pricing. Founded by anesthesiologist Eric Inman, and entrepreneur Jeff Williams, the center is staffed by top-tier surgeons working in a streamlined and efficient facility in the Indy northwest. Their model cuts out insurance middlemen, reducing overhead and avoiding cost shifting.
Since opening, WellBridge has partnered with about 90 self-funded employers, covering 100,000 lives across Indiana. Patients—especially those with high-deductible plans or paying out-of-pocket—can easily compare costs and commit without surprises.
Why It Matters
- Financial predictability – Fixed pricing frees patients from anxiety over surprise bills.
- Equitable access – Transparent rates ensure high-deductible families and self-funded employees can budget and obtain timely care.
- Market impact – Alternatives like WellBridge usher in competition, pushing hospitals and policymakers to push for affordability.
- Growth with integrity – Though based in Indiana, WellBridge has ambitions to scale nationwide—proving the model’s applicability across regions.
The Future of Affordable Surgery
The journey ahead includes:
- Expanding the ASC model across the U.S.
- Partnering with more employers to offer zero-tier pricing options.
- Advocating for policy reforms that highlight price transparency and market competition.
In a state where hospital consolidation and opaque pricing fuel major financial burdens, WellBridge Surgical demonstrates that quality outpatient surgery can be high-value, equitable, and yes—affordable. Indiana’s healthcare pricing crisis can be fixed and WellBridge Surgical is leading the way! Contact WellBridge Surgical or visit us at http://www.wellbridgesurgical.com to look at our transparent price list.