Parkview joins study of costs for health care With insurer, Butler University to probe factors driving growth

Parkview Health is partnering with insurance brokerage Hylant and Butler University on project to examine the major factors driving health care spending and provide strategies for reducing costs.

The initiative will begin with an event next April at Butler University where student teams will analyze data to identify key factors driving health care spending.

Datapalooza will be based on reviewing Medicaid patient data provided by the State of Indiana's Family and Social Services Administration. The student teams will be tasked with identifying key factors driving high health care costs, including specific health conditions and demographic influences, a news release said Thursday.

A second phase will be centered on an Innovation Competition to invite, based on findings from the first phase, "forward-thinking solutions" for addressing rising health care spending. Semfinalists in the competition will be offered the opportunity to participate in an Accelerator program, or a program that provides resources and support for early-stage startups, the release said.

The challenge concludes with a pitch competition, where Accelerator participants present their innovations for final judging and additional opportunities.

"Hoosiers suffer from higher rates of chronic conditions and significantly higher mortality rates compared to residents in neighboring states," the news release said. "These disparities result in overall higher health care costs and highlight the critical need for effective, lower-cost interventions to improve health care outcomes before acute care is needed."

The Datapalooza builds on Parkview Health's previous experience with innovation challenges.

Last year, for example, Parkview hosted a Healthy Kids Healthy Future competition, focusing on the management and treatment of chronic conditions for pediatric patients. The health care system has also held a Healthy Mom and Baby event centered on maternal and child health issues.

More details about the health care expenses reduction initiative will be released later, but the partners are hoping to generate interest early.

Nikki Galbraith, president of Hylant Fort Wayne, said in the news release that the company is committed to helping employers and individuals manage risk in ways that not only protect assets but also improve overall well-being.

Sarah GiaQuinta, a Parkview Health executive, looks forward to the collaboration and potential solutions.

"Preventive care, aligned with the social determinants of health, is crucial to reducing and avoiding expensive health care procedures and treatments," said GiaQuinta, senior vice president for community health and equity with Parkview.

In an email response, Parkview said it has an existing relationship with Butler University.

After hosting separate innovation competitions over the years, the two decided to work together to find solutions to a prominent challenge - the cost of health care.

"Parkview has long been focused on reducing costs for patients and employers, and the innovation competition serves as a natural extension of that work," Kaitlyn Hughes, Parkview's media relations manager, said. "Hylant was invited to join to give competition participants key perspectives from the insurance industry and employers, where many patients access their health plan coverage."

Parkview said Butler is considered a leader in health care sciences, including with its pharmacy program. Next year, the university will launch a new nursing program.

"This innovation challenge underscores our efforts to prepare the next generation of health care leaders by exploring innovative solutions to reduce health care costs," Bob Soltis, dean of Butler's College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, said in a statement.

lisagreen@jg.net