Solution gives employers greater flexibility and control over health plan design
(GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — September 23, 2026) Priority Health, a nationally recognized nonprofit health plan serving 1.4 million members, is offering Michigan employers access to a third-party administrator (TPA) solution developed by Fort Wayne-based Physicians Health Plan of Northern Indiana (PHP), which Priority Health acquired in 2024.
Available January 1, 2027, for self-funded Michigan employers with 51-99 enrolled employees, PHP TPA Services gives employers another funding solution with greater choice, transparency and control over their health benefits strategy. The solution pairs PHP’s proven TPA capabilities with Priority Health’s local expertise and account management, helping employers tailor benefits to their workforce and gain clearer insight into claims and healthcare spending.
The solution expands Priority Health’s product portfolio and builds on its range of funding solutions for employers, which include fully and self-funded plans, TPA for employers with more than 100 employees, and level-funded plans.
“Small employers are looking for more flexibility and control over their health benefits, especially as costs continue to rise,” said Chase Osbourne, senior vice president of Employer Solutions and Innovation at Priority Health. “Bringing PHP TPA Services to Michigan gives them another option, one that is locally supported, easy to customize and backed by the experience of both PHP and Priority Health.”
A TPA helps employers manage administrative functions of a self-funded health plan, including claims processing, reporting, customer service, vendor coordination and other operations. Compared with a traditional fully insured plan, this model gives employers more flexibility to customize plan design, select vendors and benefit partners, and see where healthcare dollars are being spent.
TPA models have become increasingly popular as employers seek alternatives to traditional fully insured plans amid rising healthcare costs, demands for greater transparency and a desire to play a more active role in benefits strategy.