--- title: Self-funded health plans can save money, up risks - Crain's Cleveland description: Self-funded health plans are becoming a better option for small to midsize employers looking to offset increasing cost of health plans. image: http://img.scoop.it/jg7DAPAJHLLiVrLKz9ixW7nTzqrqzN7Y9aBZTaXoQ8Q= --- [![Nonstop](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/Nonstop_Logo-22-Horizontal%20(2).png?width=1501&name=Nonstop_Logo-22-Horizontal%20(2).png "Nonstop")](https://www.nonstophealth.com/) ** - [ Outcomes ](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/self-funded-health-plans-can-save-money#) - [![icon-1](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-1.svg) Benefits Nonstop Health can improve benefits and lower costs for employees and employers. ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/benefits) - [![icon-2](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-2.svg) Services & Technology Get the most out of your plan with easy administration and usage tracking. ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/services) - [ Resources ](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/self-funded-health-plans-can-save-money#) - [![icon-1](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-1.svg) Support Our support team is ready to help, whether you’re an employer, member, or broker. ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/support) - [![icon-3](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-3.svg) Case Studies Seeing our solution in action. ](https://offers.nonstophealth.com/case-studies) - [![icon-4](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-4.svg) Blog Insights and updates to help navigate the health insurance landscape. ](https://blog.nonstophealth.com) - [![icon-5](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-5.svg) Podcasts A collection of conversations built to inspire. ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/podcast) - [![icon-6](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-6.svg) Webinar & Guides Insights and resources to help your organization thrive. ](https://offers.nonstophealth.com/resources) - [ About Us ](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/self-funded-health-plans-can-save-money#) - [![icon-7](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-7.svg) Our Team Learn about who we are and what drives us. ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/about-us) - [![icon-8](https://blog.nonstophealth.com/hubfs/2022-nonstop/images/icon-8.svg) Careers Discover rewarding employment opportunities with Nonstop. ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/careers) - [ Account login ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/alert) - [ For employees ](https://members.prod.nonstophealth.com/) - [ For employers ](https://clients.nonstophealth.com/) - [ For brokers ](https://channel.nonstophealth.com/) - [ Contact Us ](https://www.nonstophealth.com/contact-us) # Self-funded health plans can save money, up risks - Crain's Cleveland ![](http://img.scoop.it/jg7DAPAJHLLiVrLKz9ixW7nTzqrqzN7Y9aBZTaXoQ8Q=) ![](http://img.scoop.it/jg7DAPAJHLLiVrLKz9ixW7nTzqrqzN7Y9aBZTaXoQ8Q=) Lydia Coutre writes for Crain's Cleveland Business about how and why small to midsize companies are making the switch to self-funding, despite the risks. Read the full article at: [www.crainscleveland.com](http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20160529/NEWS/160529822/self-funded-health-plans-can-save-money-up-risks) “Every year, everyone dreads shopping for the next plan (during) open enrollment,” said Andy Lembach, CMO of Spooner, Inc. “And you get a bunch of quotes from people, you go with the cheapest one, and then the next year they jack up the rates, and then you’re in this viscous and you’re doing it all over again. There’s seemingly no control.” Last year, Spooner, which employs about 130 people, switched to self-funded health insurance, a model in which an employer provides health benefits to employees with its own funds. It’s typically a cheaper option, but the employer then assumes the risk for paying claims, versus the traditional fully insured model in which insurance carriers bear that risk. Is self-funding worth the risk? It could be, as employers using this model do not have to comply with some time- and resource-consuming provisions of the ACA. Small employers with typically healthy workers can switch to self-funding with less risk than larger employers or those with an employee base with more health risks. **Further explore your health benefit plan options by signing up for our FREE webinar:** [![Register Now!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/569324/335acc95-861e-4423-8c3d-b92e88435e57.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/569324/335acc95-861e-4423-8c3d-b92e88435e57) The information and materials herein are provided for general information purposes only and are not intended to constitute legal or other advice or opinions on any specific matters and are not intended to replace the advice of a qualified attorney, plan provider or other professional advisor. This information has been taken from sources believed to be reliable, but there is no guarantee as to its accuracy. 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