The Benefit Whisperer

The Benefit Whisperer


The PPO Shell Game: How Employers Get Trapped by Hidden Healthcare Costs (Ep. 13)

June 17, 2025

Group health benefits are often sold as a shiny package, but beneath the surface lies a complex system that’s costing employers far more than they realize. 

In this eye-opening episode, Ralph Weber pulls back the curtain on PPO networks, revealing staggering price variances, like a CT scan that can cost anywhere from $635 to $19,830, depending on where you go and what you know.

Ralph unpacks the hidden mechanics behind cross-plan offsetting, opaque contracts, and the ways big insurance companies profit while businesses struggle with ballooning healthcare costs. 

But this isn’t just an exposé, it’s a guide. Ralph shares actionable strategies like self-funding, direct contracting with hospitals, and reference-based pricing to empower employers to take control of their plans, reduce expenses, and provide better care for their teams.

What to expect:

  • The shocking truth behind PPO pricing & why you’re paying more than you should
  • How cross-plan offsetting could be draining your bottom line
  • Why self-funded plans give you the data advantage
  • Smart solutions like reference-based pricing and direct contracting
  • And more!

Connect with Ralph Weber: