For Employers
BENEFITS THAT WORK HARDER
Stop overpaying for health coverage. Ascend’s self-funded risk pool plans give your employees better benefits while putting real savings back in your budget — with full transparency at every step.
20%
Average savings vs. fully-insured premiums
99.2%
Claims processing accuracy
500+
Employer groups served
12+
Years of risk pool experience
Employer Advantages
WHAT YOU GAIN
Stop-Loss Protection
Specific and aggregate stop-loss coverage caps your financial exposure — no matter how large a single claim gets.
Full Claims Transparency
Real-time reporting gives you visibility into every dollar spent. No black-box premiums, no hidden carrier margins.
Retained by the Risk Pool for Long Term Rate Stabilization
Surplus funds are retained within the risk pool to stabilize rates over time — protecting your group from volatility at renewal.
Broad Network Access
Members access a national PPO network with the same ID cards and claims experience they’re used to.
Dedicated Account Team
A named account team handles administration, reporting, and renewal — with a direct line, not a call center.
Predictable Monthly Costs
Fixed monthly contributions replace unpredictable premium spikes. Budget with confidence year over year.
Side by Side
SELF-FUNDED VS. FULLY-INSURED
| Feature | Self-Funded | Fully-Insured |
|---|---|---|
| Surplus returned to employer | ✓ | ✕ |
| Full claims data access | ✓ | ✕ |
| Stop-loss protection | ✓ | ✕ |
| Predictable monthly cost | ✓ | ✓ |
| Broad PPO network | ✓ | ✓ |
| ACA compliance | ✓ | ✓ |
| State premium taxes avoided | ✓ | ✕ |
| Plan design flexibility | ✓ | ✕ |
Program Structure
ONE PROGRAM STRUCTURE
A single unified approach — no menu of confusing tiers to navigate.
Ascend Risk Pool
Traditional PPO Structure
Predictable. Protected. Transparent.
Ascend’s self-funded risk pool combines level-funded predictability with full PPO network access and built-in stop-loss protection. One structure, one administration team, one renewal process.
- Fixed monthly contributions
- Specific & aggregate stop-loss included
- Broad PPO network access
- Year-end surplus refund
- Real-time claims reporting
- Dedicated account team
- 99.2% claims accuracy
- Care navigation support
- Smart pharmacy strategies
- High-cost claimant support
- ACA-compliant plan design
- Transparent renewal process
READY TO STOP OVERPAYING?
Talk to our team about what self-funding could save your group. No obligation — just straight answers.