MedBen, in partnership with Brain & Spine Network and Cedar Gate Technologies, has received a 2026 KLAS Points of Light Award for its Center of Excellence model designed to deliver better brain and spine care while reducing specialty costs.
“This recognition from KLAS is a great honor,” said MedBen Chairman & CEO Kurt Harden. “It validates our approach of combining strategic benefit design with coordinated, high-quality clinical care to lower costs and improve outcomes and member satisfaction.”
Implemented for Interlocal Health Benefits Committee (IHBC) with guidance from broker Sherrill Morgan, the program has delivered strong results:
- 60% lower total care costs for participating members vs. nonparticipants
- 91% of procedures performed in cost-effective ambulatory surgery centers
- 50% reduction in surgical rates through conservative care pathways
- 97% patient satisfaction, driven by reduced financial barriers and better care navigation
The model uses prospective bundled payments to tackle rising costs, fragmented navigation, and overuse of surgery. Members who opt in enjoy a simplified experience with no deductibles or copays, encouraging engagement and better decision-making.
“This partnership has improved how our employees access specialty care,” said Dr. Ted Horrell of IHBC. “By emphasizing coordinated care, conservative treatments, and predictable costs, we’ve seen meaningful gains in outcomes and satisfaction.”
The KLAS Points of Light Awards recognize innovative payer-provider collaborations that measurably improve cost, quality, and patient experience. This award highlights the power of integrating benefit design, analytics, and clinical care to drive real health care transformation.