--- title: "From $25,000 to $5,500: Valenz Bluebook Member Shares His Savings Story" description: When a Bluebook CareConnect member was quoted $25,000 for a hernia repair, a member concierge helped him save $20,000 by choosing a different facility. image: https://blog.valenzhealth.com/hubfs/Blog/AdobeStock_426722828-1-1.jpeg --- [Skip to content](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/from-25000-to-5500-bluebook-careconnect-member-shares-his-savings-story#page-content) [![Valenz Health](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/hubfs/web/logo.svg)](https://www.valenzhealth.com/) - [Who We Serve](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/) - [Solutions](https://www.valenzhealth.com/solutions/member-experience/) - [About Us](https://www.valenzhealth.com/about-us/) - [Resources](https://www.valenzhealth.com/resources/) - [Contact](https://www.valenzhealth.com/contact/) ### [Patients](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/members/) ### Payers - [Employers](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/employers/) - [Taft-Hartley Funds](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/taft-hartley-funds/) ### Providers - [Healthcare Facilities and Providers](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/healthcare-facilities-and-providers/) ### Plans - [Health Plans](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/health-plans/) - [Third-Party Administrators](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/third-party-administrators-tpas/) - [Brokers and Consultants](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/brokers/) - [Stop Loss Producers](https://www.valenzhealth.com/who-we-serve/stop-loss-producers/) #### Partner with Us Discover how Vālenz Health® can simplify the healthcare experience with our innovative solutions. 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[Variable Copay](https://www.valenzhealth.com/solutions/plan-performance/variable-copay/) Back ### Search # From $25,000 to $5,500: Valenz Bluebook Member Shares His Savings Story By [Vālenz Health®](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/author/valenz-health) - July 24, 2020 [Healthcare Costs](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/tag/healthcare-costs) [Member Experience](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/tag/member-experience) Share ![A female and male surgeon operate on a patient in a hospital. ](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/AdobeStock_426722828-1-1.jpeg?width=485&height=485&name=AdobeStock_426722828-1-1.jpeg) ***The purpose is to protect patients by exposing the true quality and cost of healthcare and empowering choice.*** To that end, Vālenz Health® serves a variety of clients including employers and their enrolled benefits members, health plan administrators, brokers and consultants, third-party administrators, and healthcare-sharing ministries, organizations uniquely designed to help the uninsured pay for medical expenses by sharing costs with ministry members through a pooled fund. Recently, a [Concierge](https://www.valenzhealth.com/solutions/member-experience/valenz-bluebook/) member (and sharing ministry participant) visited an urgent care clinic where he was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia that required surgery. The clinic recommended a surgeon who was able to quickly schedule the procedure. After making the arrangements, the member inquired about the cost and received three quotes: 1. **Surgeon: $1,525.28 with a $458.48 discount for self-pay** 2. **Anesthesiologist: $1,230 with a $560 discount for self-pay** 3. **Hospital: $23,518 with no discount for self-pay** The total estimated costs: $25,254.80 Understandably, the member was shocked by the facility charges. He took a closer look at his sharing ministry resources and discovered concierge support through the Concierge feature. ## A Member Shares His Story *I'm a bit old-fashioned and probably naive when it comes to doctors and health care costs. I assumed that what medical facilities charged for various procedures was always fair and reasonable. Why should I assume that they were not? However, the cost for the hospital was really alarming. I didn't know what to expect, but this seemed really high.* *I knew that \[my sharing ministry\] often talked about the high cost of medical procedures and steps to take to reduce cost. I went to \[their\] website and started looking into this in more depth. That's where I discovered \[Valenz Bluebook\].* *I was familiar with Kelley Blue Book when buying cars, but I had no idea that there was a group out there that provided similar information regarding health care. What I found out was astounding: the total 'fair' cost for my procedure should be in the $5,000 to $6,000 range, not $25,000!* *I contacted \[Valenz Health\] and eventually connected with Jami* *\[a member concierge\] who was wonderful. She went right to work and found a local surgery center that would do the surgery for $3,400; an astounding $20,000 less than what the local hospital had quoted.* *What made this so wonderful was that the same surgeon would do the surgery and the same anesthesiologist would be attending. \[The concierge\] made all the arrangements with the surgery center, including payment. She kept me well-informed of who she had been in contact with and where she was in the process.* *The total cost for the surgery ended up being $5,522.67, much more in line with what \[Valenz Bluebook\] suggested it should be. I thank God for \[the sharing ministry\], and for leading me to \[Valenz\]. This was such a blessing!* *I strongly recommend that anyone facing any type of medical procedure do some homework on what are 'reasonable' medical costs, and definitely get in contact with \[Valenz\] and see what they can do to find a more cost-effective solution.* ## Vālenz Health® Can Do the Same for You Without guidance, finding high-quality affordable medical services can be difficult when prices for the same procedure [can vary by as much as 50—200%](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11798183/) between in-network facilities in the same general location. Valenz Bluebook member advocates, member concierges and provider operations specialistsguide members to high-value providers every day, saving them potentially thousands of dollars per case on shoppable procedures and diagnostic services. ## More about Valenz Member Experience Solutions Member advocates are available to assist all Valenz Bluebook members with general questions related to use of our green-yellow-red digital guide for desktop/mobile/tablet, including assistance locating local high-quality affordable providers. ![valenz-bluebook-example](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Blog%20Graphics/valenz-bluebook-example.png?width=800&height=768&name=valenz-bluebook-example.png) Member concierges and provider operations specialists are available to assist all members whose benefits include Concierge**.** Learn more by contacting us below. ### Connect with Us to Learn More   ![Vālenz Health®](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Valenz%20Logo%20Signature.png?width=48&height=48&name=Valenz%20Logo%20Signature.png) [Vālenz Health®](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/author/valenz-health) Vālenz Health® empowers employers, brokers, payers, and providers to reduce costs, improve quality, and elevate the healthcare experience. Our solutions combine advanced technology, clinical expertise, and extensive cost, quality, and utilization datasets to execute across the entire healthcare journey — connecting insights and action for greater transparency, flexibility, and cost containment within a complex system. By helping our customers and members navigate healthcare with confidence, we support smarter care decisions, strengthen plan performance, and deliver better value for everyone we serve. ## Related Articles [![A doctor's stethoscope lying beside an emptied piggy bank.](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/hubfs/Blog/why-price-transparency-isnt-enough-featured-blog-image.png)](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/incentivizing-smarter-healthcare-choices) ### [Why Price Transparency Isn’t Enough: The Importance of Incentives in Driving Smarter Healthcare Decisions](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/incentivizing-smarter-healthcare-choices) [Christie LaGrange](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/author/christie-lagrange) October 21, 2026 [![](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/hubfs/Social/2026/October/hcbb-vbb-social.png)](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/valenz-bluebook-healthcare-bluebook) ### [From Healthcare Bluebook to Valenz Bluebook: Turning Navigation into Smarter Care Decisions](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/valenz-bluebook-healthcare-bluebook) Two years ago, Vālenz Health® welcomed a new member to our product family: Healthcare Bluebook. [Vālenz Health®](https://blog.valenzhealth.com/author/valenz-health) October 06, 2026 Share Ready to Simplify Self-Insurance? ## Your Journey Starts Here Connect with a Valenz team member to explore the difference our solutions can make for you. ![Vālenz Health](https://www.valenzhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/logo.svg) [![Youtube](https://www.valenzhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Icon-Youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/@valenzhealth) [![Linkedin](https://www.valenzhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Icon-Linkedin.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/valenz/) [Login](https://www.valenzhealth.com/user-login/) [Help Center](https://support.valenzhealth.com/hc/en-us) [Trust Center](https://trust.valenzhealth.com/) [Privacy Policy](https://www.valenzhealth.com/privacy-policy/) Cookie Settings [Cookie Policy](https://www.valenzhealth.com/cookie-policy/) [California Privacy Rights Notice](https://www.valenzhealth.com/california-privacy-rights-notice/) [Terms and Conditions](https://www.valenzhealth.com/terms-and-conditions/) 1717 McKinney Ave, Suite 1000, Dallas, TX 75202, USA | [(866) 762-4455](tel:+18667624455) © 2026 Vālenz Health® ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "about" : [ { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "Healthcare Costs" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "Member Experience" } ], "articleBody" : "The purpose is to protect patients by exposing the true quality and cost of healthcare and empowering choice. To that end, Vālenz Health® serves a variety of clients including employers and their enrolled benefits members, health plan administrators, brokers and consultants, third-party administrators, and healthcare-sharing ministries, organizations uniquely designed to help the uninsured pay for medical expenses by sharing costs with ministry members through a pooled fund. Recently, a Concierge member (and sharing ministry participant) visited an urgent care clinic where he was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia that required surgery. The clinic recommended a surgeon who was able to quickly schedule the procedure. After making the arrangements, the member inquired about the cost and received three quotes: Surgeon: $1,525.28 with a $458.48 discount for self-pay Anesthesiologist: $1,230 with a $560 discount for self-pay Hospital: $23,518 with no discount for self-pay The total estimated costs: $25,254.80 Understandably, the member was shocked by the facility charges. He took a closer look at his sharing ministry resources and discovered concierge support through the Concierge feature. A Member Shares His Story I'm a bit old-fashioned and probably naive when it comes to doctors and health care costs. I assumed that what medical facilities charged for various procedures was always fair and reasonable. Why should I assume that they were not? However, the cost for the hospital was really alarming. I didn't know what to expect, but this seemed really high. I knew that [my sharing ministry] often talked about the high cost of medical procedures and steps to take to reduce cost. I went to [their] website and started looking into this in more depth. That's where I discovered [Valenz Bluebook]. I was familiar with Kelley Blue Book when buying cars, but I had no idea that there was a group out there that provided similar information regarding health care. What I found out was astounding: the total 'fair' cost for my procedure should be in the $5,000 to $6,000 range, not $25,000! I contacted [Valenz Health] and eventually connected with Jami [a member concierge] who was wonderful. She went right to work and found a local surgery center that would do the surgery for $3,400; an astounding $20,000 less than what the local hospital had quoted. What made this so wonderful was that the same surgeon would do the surgery and the same anesthesiologist would be attending. [The concierge] made all the arrangements with the surgery center, including payment. She kept me well-informed of who she had been in contact with and where she was in the process. The total cost for the surgery ended up being $5,522.67, much more in line with what [Valenz Bluebook] suggested it should be. I thank God for [the sharing ministry], and for leading me to [Valenz]. This was such a blessing! I strongly recommend that anyone facing any type of medical procedure do some homework on what are 'reasonable' medical costs, and definitely get in contact with [Valenz] and see what they can do to find a more cost-effective solution. Vālenz Health® Can Do the Same for You Without guidance, finding high-quality affordable medical services can be difficult when prices for the same procedure can vary by as much as 50—200% between in-network facilities in the same general location. Valenz Bluebook member advocates, member concierges and provider operations specialists guide members to high-value providers every day, saving them potentially thousands of dollars per case on shoppable procedures and diagnostic services. More about Valenz Member Experience Solutions Member advocates are available to assist all Valenz Bluebook members with general questions related to use of our green-yellow-red digital guide for desktop/mobile/tablet, including assistance locating local high-quality affordable providers. Member concierges and provider operations specialists are available to assist all members whose benefits include Concierge. Learn more by contacting us below. 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