Unlocking the Power of Self-Funded Health Plan Data

One of the biggest draws for employers to move their medical and pharmacy plans from a fully insured to a self-funded arrangement is access to information. After all, knowledge is power, right? 

But now that you have that information, what do you do with it? How do you take it from a bunch of numbers on a page to something you can use to help your employees and reduce costs?  

Here are 5 ways that OneDigital harnesses health analytics to help you help your people. 

1. Gaps in Care 

For members with chronic conditions, adherence to prescribed treatment plans can make the difference between moderate and catastrophic cost in the future. And, for members who are healthy, getting preventive care can help identify illness early and potentially treat it before it becomes chronic or catastrophic. Identifying where in your population members are forgoing care can help keep them healthier and keep plan costs down. 

2. Common Conditions 

Knowing the most common conditions your population is being treated for provides insight into what programs would be best to guide them on their journey to health. If knee surgery is common, a musculoskeletal program may be appropriate. If mental health claims are high, additional mental health resources could help members.  

3. High-Cost Claimant Trends 

While the nature of catastrophic claims is that they are inherently unpredictable, we can still identify condition trends that can help inform what might benefit the population most. If cancer is a common diagnosis, a more robust oncology support program may be in order. Premature babies may indicate that fertility benefits should be examined.  

4. Sources of Care 

Are your members seeking care in the right places? Are they going to the emergency room when urgent care would be more appropriate? Are they getting MRIs at the hospital instead of an outpatient facility that would be a fraction of the cost? By identifying these trends, you can educate your members about how to best utilize care and reduce not only your cost, but theirs, as well. 

5. Top Drugs 

Prescription drugs are a significant driver of cost and plan trend. The increased use of specialty drugs infuses high costs into plans. By identifying those high cost drugs that are being used most, we may be able to reduce cost through programs that encourage members to explore lower cost alternatives.  

Harnessing health analytics is about more than managing numbers—it's about empowering smarter decisions that improve outcomes for your people and your plan. Whether you're identifying gaps in care, analyzing high-cost claimant trends, or tailoring programs to your population’s most common needs, the right data can drive meaningful impact.  

To see how OneDigital is turning insights into action, explore our latest innovations and real-world strategies in the OneDigital Impact Studio.