Same Surgery. Same Marketplace. 27 Times the Cost. Who's Protecting Your Plan?

October 28, 2025 A new report on hospital price variation reveals just how exposed plan sponsors really are. The latest data from Patient Rights Advocate confirms a long-suspected reality in healthcare billing: massive, unjustified price differences for the exact same care, even within the same state.

The report highlights 10 states where appendectomy prices vary by up to 27 times between hospitals. In one case, the lowest charge was just $650. The highest? Over $26,000. Same procedure. Same market. Wildly different costs.

For self-insured employers, TPAs and stop-loss carriers, this isn't just a pricing issue, it's a liability. With ERISA transparency rules in full effect, ignoring it is no longer an option.

Transparency Isn't the Same as Accountability

Federal regulations now require hospitals to publish their negotiated prices but that hasn't made it easier for plan sponsors to protect themselves. In fact, Patient Rights Advocate reports that only 15.5% of hospitals show at least half of their prices in real dollar amounts.

The rest? Buried in algorithms, vague pricing logic or "conditional payment" language no plan administrator could realistically interpret or act on.

That means employers are now responsible for acting on pricing data but still have no functional way to use it. The result? Bloated claims, unchecked billing practices and a growing compliance risk.

H.H.C. Group Bridges the Gap Between Price Transparency and Real Savings

Price transparency shines a light on the problem. H.H.C. Group delivers the solution.

Our Real People combine financial precision with clinical insight to bring clarity, and deliver more savings on more claims savings.

Here's how H.H.C. Group's Real People help plan sponsors take control:

• Attorney-Led Negotiators & Licensed Health Insurance Adjusters
  All of our negotiators are also licensed adjusters who have passed rigorous state exams and specialized training — so we are not just a certified company, but certified people. Our team brings real legal and regulatory expertise to every negotiation.


• Certified Coders and Registered Pharmacists
  Our experts combine coding precision, pharmacy expertise, and ISO quality controls to scrutinize each line item for accuracy and compliance – ensuring you pay only what's reasonable and medically justified.


• 30 Years of Relationships for Results
  With three decades of experience, we've built professional relationships with providers nationwide. They take our calls because they know we're fair, fact-based, and credible — and that helps us achieve faster, deeper discounts.

Don't Let Arbitrary Pricing Drain Your Plan
The price of a routine surgery should never be a guessing game. Yet today, plan sponsors are paying 5, 10 or even 27 times more than necessary, without even knowing it.

That's the real cost of not having a partner like H.H.C. Group.

We help employers, TPAs and stop-loss carriers eliminate unnecessary spend, defend every payment and protect plan assets from billing abuse hidden behind the façade of transparency.

Contact HHC Group today to close the gap between what you're billed and what you should be paying.

Real People. Real Savings.