The Benefit Whisperer

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