Beyond the Numbers

Overview

In 2025, US medical inflation is not just an abstract economic concept—it’s a very real and growing challenge for international private medical insurance (IPMI) portfolios. While the numbers may be sobering, the solution doesn’t lie in raising premiums alone. It lies in strategic, intelligent cost management—done with precision.

US Healthcare -Factors in Rising Costs

The US remains the most expensive healthcare system in the world. Hospitals alone account for 30% of total spending, while administrative waste contributes an estimated 25% of costs. Unlike regulated systems in Europe or Canada, the US lacks price controls for most services, medications, and procedures—resulting in wild cost variability and provider price inflation.

US market analysts have flagged 2025 as a period of accelerated medical inflation, driven by:

• Industry consolidations and price hikes
• Rising pharmaceutical costs, especially specialty drugs
• Higher hospital labor costs and billing complexity
• Ongoing tariff fluctuations affecting medical device and pharmaceutical imports

Loss ratios above 62% are no longer unusual. And for many insurers and reinsurers, the break-even threshold is being tested with each claim filed.

Why Traditional Tactics Should Not be Solo Solutions

Standard PPO network discounts and claims repricing on their own may have worked a decade ago—but they are no longer sufficient as a solo option to managing costs. Many IPMI providers still rely heavily on PPO networks like Aetna or UnitedHealthcare. While these networks offer superior access, as a stand-alone solution they cannot guarantee optimal savings.

The cost-shifting dynamic is where unregulated international claims often fall victim. US hospitals can offset losses from underpaid US programs like Medicare and Medicaid claims by inflating bills for international patients.

The New Frontier Group Approach

New Frontier Group doesn’t just stop at network solutions; the company continually rethinks the entire cost management workflow. Our expanded model is built around five core pillars:

1. Curated Network Management
2. Integrated Telehealth
3. Reliant Health Network + Arbitration
4. Value Based Care
5. Customized Client Focus

Curated Network Management

New Frontier Group does not rely on static, one-size-fits-all networks. Our team builds customized provider access pathways by offering access to all of the top national networks as well as regional networks and direct contracts with negotiated rates tailored to IPMI member demographics. Whether it’s inpatient surgeries, outpatient follow-ups or complex procedures, New Frontier Group ensures every case is steered to the highest-quality, cost-effective provider and the most appropriate center of excellence based on the patient needs.

Integrated Telehealth

New Frontier Group telehealth capabilities are fully embedded into the cost management ecosystem. Telehealth is not just a mode of care but a strategic lever for cost control and quality care that offers:

• Second Surgical Opinions: Quickly validating or challenging high-cost surgical recommendations without the delay or cost of in-person consultations
• Follow-Up Care: Facilitates recovery and reduces readmissions by supporting patients after discharge—no matter where they are
• Care Coordination: Seamlessly linking teleconsults with navigation and case management teams to guide members to preferred providers and avoid fragmented or duplicative care

Telehealth is aligned with New Frontier Group broader products and strategy, providing measurable savings while enhancing member satisfaction and outcomes.

Reliant Health Network + Arbitration Advantage

New Frontier Group has a proprietary and international market-exclusive relationship with Reliant Health Network that goes beyond conventional PPO models by leveraging predictive pricing data and exclusive rate agreements to deliver up to 60% in additional cost savings. With a provider acceptance rate of 99%, Reliant offers New Frontier Group clients a strong supplement—or alternative—to traditional PPO networks.

The New Frontier Group Arbitration and Provider Relations Team can also step in with their deep expertise and established direct relationships to negotiate and get the best pricing outcomes for IPMI clients.

Value-Based Care, Reimagined for Global Populations

New Frontier Group’s emerging Value-Based Care (VBC) solution brings outcome-driven payment models to the international space. For IPMI members receiving care in the US, the company can deliver:

• Bundled rates and shared-risk agreements with providers
• Incentive models tied to outcomes, not volume
• Integrated reporting and oversight to ensure quality and transparency

New Frontier Group VBC programs are tailored for globally mobile patients—designed to reduce unnecessary spend while improving long-term health results.

Customized Cost Management Strategies

New Frontier Group understands that every insurer, every region, and every member population is unique, so customized cost management is built for each IPMI client. As an independently owned company, the flexible infrastructure allows New Frontier Group to co-create solutions based on what IPMI clients need most.

And as the global landscape evolves, so does New Frontier Group. In a rapidly changing market shaped by new technologies, rising inflation, and regulatory shifts, the company stays ahead by proactively introducing innovative products and adapting existing services before the market demands them.

“Cost management doesn’t mean cutting corners. It means aligning financial intelligence with compassion”, Gitte Bach, CEO of New Frontier Group.

Summary

If you’re an IPMI insurer looking for ways to reduce costs, below are great places to start:

• Reassess Network Agreements – Are you maximizing value, or just settling for access?
• Embed Pre-Claim Strategies – Don’t wait for the bill. Engage before the treatment.
• Invest in Utilization Insights – Know what conditions, providers, and regions are driving up costs.
• Rethink Telehealth – Virtual triage and chronic care programs can prevent costly escalation

At New Frontier Group, we equip IPMI insurers with smarter tools, deeper insights, and more flexible cost management pathways. Our independence—free from ownership by large insurers—means we serve only the client’s best interests. Let New Frontier Group help you move to where smarter care meets sustainable economics.

Ready to See Where You Stand?

Don’t wait for rising loss ratios to force your hand. Medical inflation is accelerating—and the time to act is now.

Request a No-Cost Portfolio Evaluation from New Frontier Group

We’ll analyze your current cost management strategies, network contracts, and high-cost claim trends to pinpoint where margin is leaking—and where immediate savings are possible. This tailored review will help you:

• Uncover hidden cost-shifting dynamics
• Identify gaps in your cost management strategy
• Explore high-impact alternatives
• Evaluate readiness for value-based care and various telehealth models

Contact Jesse Matas today to schedule your evaluation now!

• Email: jmatas@NewFrontierGroup.com
• Phone: 1 949 229 4360