In a recent webinar discussion, Milliman MedInsight and Genesys PHO explored how healthcare organizations can use performance analytics to strengthen value-based care (VBC) initiatives. The panel included Francesca Hammerstrom, General Manager of Value-Based Care at Milliman MedInsight; Dr. Christopher Kodama, Chief Medical Officer at Milliman MedInsight; Samantha Lewis, Director of Healthcare Business and Population Health Analytics at Genesys PHO; and Angie Williamson, Analyst at Genesys PHO.
As VBC models continue to expand, the ability to translate provider performance data into actionable insights has become a critical driver of success. When organizations can identify the right measures, deliver them in clear and timely ways, and engage providers in using data, they are better positioned to improve outcomes, control costs, and achieve contract goals. This theme, turning analytics into meaningful action, was central to the panel’s discussion.
The three principles of effective analytics
Dr. Kodama began by highlighting three principles that guide the effective use of analytics: impact, sustainability, and scale. For analytics to truly make a difference, he explained, the data must have impact, it should inform decisions at the point of care, support financially sustainable strategies, and be applicable across broader populations.
He also described common challenges, such as the overwhelming amount of available data, the need to coordinate among multiple stakeholders, variations in professional language across roles, delays in delivering actionable insights, and uncertainty about how actions connect to results.
“Clarity and shared understanding are essential. You have to tailor how you present information depending on who is receiving it, provide timely feedback, and ensure people trust the data they’re seeing.”
Dr. Christopher Kodama
Chief Medical Officer at Milliman MedInsight
Building an analytics function at Genesys PHO
The conversation then shifted to the Genesys PHO experience. Lewis and Williamson described how their organization, which partners with more than 100 primary care providers and 300 specialists, built a dedicated analytics function to meet the demands of VBC. With over three-quarters of their population in downside risk contracts, they recognized that timely, reliable data was essential to success.
They began modestly, hiring a single data scientist. Over time, the team grew to include a data analyst, a data architect, and a specialist in HCC coding. Their first priority was to identify the measures most directly tied to contract success. They then identified the necessary data sources, created reports with clear and consistent visualization, and tested these reports with medical directors before sharing them more broadly.
Reports were never treated as static. “They evolve as contracts change, as priorities shift, and as new challenges emerge in healthcare,” Lewis said.
Expanding analytics capabilities
Genesys PHO’s analytics program now covers a wide range of priorities, including shared savings calculations, contract performance benchmarks, financial projections, network leakage analysis, incentive funds flow allocation, care management, social determinants of health, utilization, quality management, attribution, panel management, and risk adjustment. Reporting frequency is based on how quickly the data changes enough to be meaningful. Monthly reports include financial dashboards, quality measures, and utilization summaries, while quarterly and annual reports focus on slower-moving measures such as continuity of care and panel management.
Leveraging MedInsight’s tools
To improve efficiency, the Genesys PHO team uses MedInsight’s Value-Based Care Insights (VBCI) tool to streamline analytics and reporting workflows. This allows both executives and providers to move from high-level summaries to detailed cost drivers, such as inpatient utilization, in minutes.
Collaboration between analysts & clinical teams
Lewis and Williamson emphasized the importance of collaboration between analysts and clinical teams. They recommended involving analysts early in the goal-setting process, presenting summaries rather than raw datasets to providers, and offering opportunities for one-on-one discussions to ensure the reports are interpreted correctly. They also described the value of having a “bridge” person who understands both the analytics and clinical perspectives, helping to translate between the two.
Insights from unexpected sources
Some of their most meaningful findings have come from unexpected places. Williamson recalled a case in which a patient complaint led the team to investigate billing data, ultimately uncovering fraudulent charges for durable medical equipment. This example reinforced their belief that analysts should be encouraged to explore anomalies, even if those areas are outside the standard reporting priorities.
Continuous improvement & provider education
Over time, Genesys PHO has refined its reports to make them more concise, visually organized, and easier to interpret. Provider education has been a constant priority. The team uses familiar terminology, offers training sessions and data dictionaries, and provides in-person support when needed. Feedback is actively sought and viewed as a tool for improvement rather than criticism.
Best practices for effective provider reporting in VBC
In closing, the panelists identified several practices that contribute to effective provider reporting in VBC:
- Engage the right stakeholders from the beginning.
- Select measures that directly affect contract outcomes, can be influenced by providers, and are supported by reliable data.
- Keep the audience’s time and capacity in mind by ensuring reports are clear, relevant, and concise.
- Maintain a feedback loop that allows for continuous refinement.
Next steps
As this discussion made clear, turning provider performance data into meaningful action requires the right measures, the right tools, and a collaborative approach. Want to see how data-driven insights can improve provider performance in your organization? Explore our resources on VBC analytics and discover practical strategies for turning metrics into measurable results.
