WellBridge Surgical is Disrupting the Health Care Model for Surgery in Indiana
Writer / Renee Larr
Photographer / Amy Payne
WellBridge Surgical is disrupting the health care model for surgery in Indiana. The countrys second-ever cash-pay surgery center offers Hoosiers fixed and transparent pricing for surgery.
Local business owner Jeff Williams noticed the cost of health care was rising tremendously for his small business. Williams didnt want to increase his deductible for his employees, nor did he want to increase his rates by a high margin. Instead, Williams partnered with longtime friends Dr. Ron Piniecki and Dr. Eric Inman, both anesthesiologists, to revolutionize the way patients pay for their surgical care.
The fixed payment method means patients know their all-in total cost for surgery prior to the procedure and dont receive a surprise bill in the mail. Pricing includes the facility charge, surgeon fee and anesthesiologist fee. Patients pay a one-time consultation fee of $150 that is credited to the cost of the surgical procedure.
Not only is the pricing up-front and transparent, but patients also pay, on average, 30% to 60% less than they would at other facilities in Indianapolis. Williams says WellBridge can offer their patients those savings by not adding hidden facility fees. For instance, the WellBridge cost for ear tubes is $2,380, while the Indianapolis average is $6,804.
WellBridge Surgical offers general surgery, orthopedics, gynecology, otolaryngology, urology, podiatry, and gastroenterology procedures. Patients contact WellBridge and are paired with a surgeon based on their specific surgical needs. The prices of surgical procedures are listed on the WellBridge Surgical website. The patient will know their total cost immediately.
Dr. Piniecki and Dr. Inman have worked at some of the biggest hospital systems, so they know most of the surgeons in Indianapolis, Williams says. Weve partnered with some of the best surgeons in the city.
Our first surgical patient was a small-business owner, Williams says. He and his wife were so thankful to find us. They have insurance but they never knew what they would pay for care. It made us feel like we were proving our theory right.
Hoosiers pay the fourth-highest surgical costs nationwide according to a 2020 RAND Corporation study. WellBridge aims to make a difference with the uninsured, individuals with high-deductible insurance plans, and those with self-funded plans.
WellBridge Surgical is located at 6300 Technology Center Drive in Zionsville, IN. For more information, call s or visit them online at wellbridgesurgical.com.
